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Makeup Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Local 706
George Westmore founded the first, very small make-up department at the Selig Polyscope Studios in 1917. As the studio system grew in the early 1920s, the make-up artists, hair stylists and wig makers were born in Hollywood. Make-up and hair styling techniques used in the legitimate theater were carried over to this new form of entertainment called the movies. Actors Lon Chaney and Cecil Holland had a knack for greasepaint, as well as Jack Pierce, who was an assistant cameraman. Orthocromatic film stock used in those early films caused the actors’ skin tone to photograph twice as dark as in reality, and film make-up required a whole new understanding of colors. As the film industry grew and flourished in Hollywood, the Motion Picture Make-up Artists Association combined with the dozens of Hair Stylists and Wigmakers working at the Max Factor Studio and received their own charter from the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, forming I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 in 1937. At that time and until the 1970s, all make-up artists were men, and all hair stylists were women. Thanks to the five Westmore brothers, Jack Pierce, Cecil Holland, Jack Dawn, F.B. Phillips, Nellie Manley, Larry Germain, Edith Hubner, Joan St. Ogar and others, Local 706 is what it is today. Our founding artists were the pioneers of cinema make-up and hair styling. They stood up for their brothers and sisters fighting for better working conditions and not only advanced the artistry in our crafts, but they also achieved wage scales, health and pension benefits, and contractual working conditions that are still in today’s contracts. Today, the Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild is rich with diversity and represents artists in feature films and television, commercials, “Live” network television, all types of theatrical productions and Disneyland Theme Parks. Our members have created some of the most memorable characters in the world of entertainment, have won dozens of Oscars, hundreds of Emmys, BAFTAs, Saturn Awards and every other award for make-up and hair styling artistry. Our work touches lives every minute of the day whether you are enjoying an opera or ballet, watching the news, talk shows or soap operas, being scared to death by zombies, laughing at a sit-com or taking a photo with Snow White at Disneyland. We are one of the very few crafts to be represented on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Rick Baker, John Chambers, The Westmore Family and Stan Winston). Our members have come to Hollywood not only from North and South America, but from Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and Iceland. People come from all over the world to be a Hollywood Make-up Artist or Hair Stylist. All of our various classifications have different and specific entry requirements (please see the “About” tab for How to Join). Membership in the Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild is attained through hard work, perseverance and passion. There are no shortcuts, there are no apprenticeship programs or internships. The competition is very stiff, but membership is a goal worth achieving. Make-up artists and hair stylists must be “on trend” with the most current red carpet looks, but also proficient with “period” work, bald caps, facial hair, basic prosthetics and character work, basic barbering and wigs for both men and women. In film and television, I.E.R. Journeyman and Trainee Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists work specifically in their own craft; Hair Stylists must have and maintain a current cosmetology license. We invite you to explore and enjoy our new website, peruse issues of our official magazine The Artisan and obtain all vital information pertaining to the Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards. Only Local 706 members are permitted access to specifically union-only, password-protected areas within the site.
