Film London as part of the BFI's Metro London Skills Cluster supported by the National Lottery Fund, is delighted to announce a new skills programme supported by Sony Pictures Television (“SPT”) and Channel 4. The Hair and Makeup Aesthetics Academy seeks to improve the diversity of Hair & Makeup crews on UK film and TV productions, reduce industry skills gaps and ensure the long-term well-being and employability of participants.

With two tailored pathways, the Academy is designed to support both mid-career and entry-level talent with hands-on training, mentoring and post-programme industry support.

For new entrants, the Trailblazer strand supports those with hair and/or makeup experience outside of the industry in transferring to the hair and makeup department of Film and TV. Participants will engage in a comprehensive 8-week programme to develop cutting-edge skills, including special effects, period makeup, hair and wigs, and techniques tailored to all skin tones and hair textures.

Film London’s Equal Access Network will also deliver on-set etiquette training, support from industry professionals and networking opportunities to enhance the employability of trainees and ensure the UK film and TV sector retains a skilled workforce. Additionally, Trailblazer Trainees will be matched with mentors from the programme’s Elevation strand, encouraging community building, growth and development for all participants.

The Aesthetics Academy Elevation strand will equip existing Film and TV Hair and Makeup professionals with the training and support needed to progress to Designer level. The 8-session programme covers advanced skills in budgeting, team building and management, and cross-production design, empowering participants to take on Head of Department positions in High-End TV (HETV), feature films, and scripted drama.

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London said:

“London and the UK continues to produce globally renowned film and TV content. Underpinning all film and TV production is our world class crew base, who are the very lifeblood of our screen industries. To ensure the UK remains at the heart of cutting-edge film and TV production, we must continue to invest in our workforce, find solutions to existing skills gaps, and improve the diversity of our crews.

I’m delighted to reveal our new Aesthetics Academy today, a groundbreaking programme and a hallmark of our work as part of the BFI’s Metro London Skills Cluster. With tailored training and skills, the Academy will support the capital’s creative talent to progress their careers in the Hair and Makeup department and provide the opportunities to create a more inclusive and skilled workforce. Working closely with industry partners to deliver film and TV training is key to maintaining a skilled crew base, so I would like to thank Channel 4 and Sony Pictures Television for their funding and engagement in the programme.”

Naomi Sesay, Head of Creative Equity at Channel 4, comments:

“We’re delighted to be supporting Film London alongside our friends at Sony Pictures Television for this important and timely programme to address the expertise gap and help provide the skills for a more inclusive experience on sets, especially for diverse talent in the UK. The Hair and Makeup Aesthetics Academy is an industry first intervention designed to drive change and support HMUs to represent a wide range of skin tones and hair textures.”

Neeta Patel, Executive Director, Diversity, Inclusion & Talent, Sony Pictures Television, said:

“We are incredibly pleased to work alongside Film London and back this programme, along with our friends at Channel 4. This Academy is going to provide an incredibly vital resource to our industry, and work towards bridging a much-needed skills gap. It perfectly aligns with the ethos of our SPT Creative Diversity Fund – to work towards bringing about meaningful, practical, substantiative change to our industry, uplifting the underrepresented, and providing crucial, real-world opportunities. We can’t wait to meet the cohort and see this programme in action.”

With funding support from SPT and Channel 4, Film London’s Aesthetic Academy is delivered as part of the BFI's Metro London Skills Cluster supported by the National Lottery Fund. As Cluster lead, Film London works to ensure the capital’s screen industries retain a skilled and diverse workforce by focusing on employability, crew retention and progression, as well as curriculum development for higher education.

For more information on Film London’s Hair and Makeup Aesthetics Academy, click here, or contact equalaccess@filmlondon.org.uk.