The HMUA Assistant Survival Kit: What to Bring, What to Know & Why Communication Is Everything
So… You Just Booked Your First Day-Player Gig. Now What? You got the call. You booked the indie film. You’re officially working as a Hair & Makeup Assistant on set. Cue the excitement… followed immediately by: “Ummm… what exactly am I supposed to bring?” 😂 I recently had the opportunity to work as a day player on an indie film as a Hair & Makeup Assistant, and it reminded me of something important: Being a great HMUA assistant isn't just about knowing how to apply makeup or style hair. It’s about being prepared, organized, observant, flexible, professional, and—probably most importantly—a really good communicator. Film sets move FAST. Things change. Call times change. Scenes get moved around. Actors get added. Continuity matters. Someone needs a touch-up. Someone suddenly needs a wig adjusted. And sometimes you’re standing there thinking: “Wait… what are we doing now?” That's when communication becomes your best friend. So, let's talk about what you should actual...
