On the make-up

Severed fingers, third-degree burns and black eyes are the gory horrors you'd expect to find in a hospital casualty department rather than a York classroom. But in a small corner of York College, students are getting to grips with how to create realistic-looking wounds, scars and gashes.

It's all part of a new two-year course in make-up for the media. Fourteen students are being put through their paces by TV make-up expert Val Elliott, who has been in the industry for 35 years and worked on leading shows such as Heartbeat and Emmerdale.

One of only three similar courses in the country, it aims to turn out professionals ready to work in TV, film or advertising.

For two days a week, Val teaches them the tricks of the trade such as how to perfect ageing techniques or create a period look as well as sharing her inside knowledge of the industry. Students are taught about continuity, health and safety, good hair and make-up practice and who's who in the pecking order of a TV production.

Work experience is organised and all 14 will complete a two-week stint on Emmerdale during the run of the course.

Some have already tasted life outside the classroom in the media make-up room.

Last November, Val took four of her students to Harrogate to work on a special broadcast with Clare Frisby and Peter Levy for the BBC's Children In Need.

Student Carly Green, 19 - who says she'd love to work on Stars In Their Eyes - was one of the lucky four.

"For Children In Need, I had to make someone up like Frank Sinatra. It was great. And there was an Elton John whose wig I had to fix."

In their chosen profession, the students are more likely to meet real-life stars than their look-a-likes. Are they ready for that?

"It wouldn't affect me," asserts Carly. "I'd just do it. We went to the set at Emmerdale and at first you stare, but after a while you realise they are just real people, like you and me."

Val admits she has lost count of the number of famous faces she has made up. Diana Rigg, David Niven, Leonard Rossiter and Warren Mitchell are just some of the big names she has worked with, yet she has only been star-struck once.

"When I was a teenager I used to adore Tommy Steele. I had pictures of him all over my bedroom, I had all his records and had seen all his films.

"About three years ago I was working on Calendar when Tommy Steele was making an appearance. I was so nervous, which was ridiculous because I was a grown-up woman, but I didn't want to be disappointed.

"In fact, he was absolutely lovely - I was so relieved."

Discretion is a must for would-be make-up artists, says Val. Strong relationships can form between a star and the person who makes them up. Gossip, confessions and secrets should never leave the room.

"I had a phone call once from a journalist who found out I'd done the make-up for David Frost," she says. "They wanted to know how I'd lost the bags under his eyes. They asked if he'd had surgery. I said I didn't know."

Unless they are working on period pieces, hospital dramas or a show such as Stars In Their Eyes, much of a make-up artist's work is routine, says Val.

However, in her long career, she has had more than the odd request.

"I was asked to do the make-up for a pop video for two guys from Leeds. The director told me he wanted aliens, so I went away and did some research. When I turned up at the studio and began working, the artists asked me what I was doing. They wanted robots. I had to think on my feet and adapt. Next they wanted a split lip with a big gash on their arm. On the last day, I thought it would be quite straightforward: it was a scene of them running through a forest. But they wanted to look Japanese!"

For someone who has made make-up their life, Val's face is surprisingly cosmetic free.

"Very few of us wear makeup. I don't like the feel of it on my skin. But another reason is that most of us are up very early in the morning - about 4.30 if we are on location - and we have to be out in all weathers, so most of us don't bother."

Long hours are part of the package. On Heartbeat, says Val, the core crew are scheduled to work a 60-hour week on set, but that can extend to 84 hours. Make-up people work even longer because they have to get people ready before they go on set.

Calmness is another quality that helps.

"The make-up room is like an oasis," Val says. "It's the very last place for actors before they go on set. They must be made to feel relaxed and confident and good about themselves."

Val relishes her new position as course tutor. During her years at Yorkshire Television, she used to teach its make-up trainees. Today, she still works as a freelance media make-up artist, but loves coming into the classroom. "I've done so much in my career... it's time to hand my knowledge to others."

Students on the NVQ course in Media Make-up must have a qualification in either hair and beauty or art and design. For more details about the course, contact York College's helpline on 01904 770397.

PICTURE:Jodie Fidell-Walker applies make-up to fellow student Rachael Bryant.