Mask maker

Description

Mask makers construct, adapt and maintain masks for live performances. They work from sketches, pictures and artistic visions combined with knowledge of the human body to ensure the wearer maximum range of movement. They work in close cooperation with the designers.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to mask maker:

mask builder and designer
mask designer & builder
mask-maker
mask maker & designer
mask designer/maker
mask maker and designer
mask designer and builder
mask designer & maker
mask designer and maker
mask builder & designer
mask builder

Minimum qualifications

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as mask maker. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Mask maker is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Mask maker career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to mask maker.

puppet designer
programme funding manager
video designer
technical director
public speaking coach

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of mask maker. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of mask maker with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of mask maker.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of mask maker.

Work ergonomically: Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
Understand artistic concepts: Interpret an artist’s explanation or demonstration of their artistic concepts, inceptions and processes and strive to share their vision.
Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
Adapt to artists’ creative demands: Work with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.
Prepare personal work environment: Correct settings or positions for your working instruments and adjust them before starting operations.
Maintain theatre equipment: Check up on, maintain and repair tools and machinery used for onstage purposes, such as lighting equipment, stage sets or scene-change machinery.
Translate artistic concepts to technical designs: Cooperate with the artistic team in order to facilitate the transition from the creative vision and its artistic concepts to a technical design.
Work safely with chemicals: Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
Meet deadlines: Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
Maintain workshop space: Keep the workshop space in working order and clean.
Manage personal professional development: Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders.
Work with respect for own safety: Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
Keep up with trends: Monitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mask maker. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mask maker. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Manage consumables stock: Manage and monitor consumables stock to ensure that the production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Manage technical resources stock: Manage and monitor technical resources stock to ensure that production demands and deadlines can be met at all times.
Plan workshop activity: Plan workshop activities according to production needs.
Support a designer in the developing process: Support designers in the course of the developing process.
Keep personal administration: File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
Draw make-up sketches: Sketch make-up designs to develop the concept and share with others.
Promote yourself: Market one’s own strengths in terms of skills and knowledge.
Decide on wig making process: Decide on what materials and techniques to use for performance wigs, and document the decision.
Organise workshop space: Arrange the space of an equipment workshop to ensure maximum efficiency, including installing ligh fixtures, a workbench, etc. Decide on the activities and equipment to fit in and the most convenient way to work.
Develop professional network: Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.
Design make-up effects: Develop and apply special make-up including effects.

ISCO group and title

2651 – Visual artists

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Mask maker – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022