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Holby City to House of the Dragon: Interview with Makeup Designer Vicky Voller
- Emily Maguire
- Apr 4, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 23
In episode 2 of the podcast Inside Entertainment Industry Careers, we dive into the captivating world of hair, makeup, and prosthetics with Vicky Voller, a talented makeup designer for film and television. Discover the day-to-day life of a makeup artist as Vicky shares her experiences working with actors and crew on various high-profile TV and film productions. She provides valuable insights into her career journey and offers practical advice for those aspiring to become makeup artists.
In this week's podcast episode, Vicky Voller, a makeup designer for film and television specialising in hair, makeup, and prosthetics, shares her journey and experiences in the industry. She discusses how she discovered her passion for makeup artistry and the various training routes available.
Vicky highlights the differences between working in theatre and TV, emphasising the discipline required in theatre. She also talks about her favourite projects, the importance of teamwork, the continuous learning process in the industry, and the significance of choosing a reputable academy with industry-experienced tutors.
Lastly, Vicky offers advice for aspiring makeup artists, including the need for dedication, a hunger for learning, and key employability skills such as flexibility, collaboration, and networking. She underscores how a positive attitude and good interpersonal skills can be just as important as technical expertise.
Listen to Podcast: Episode 2 with Vicky Voller
Holby City to House of the Dragon: Insights from Makeup Designer Vicky Voller
In this episode of Inside Entertainment Industry Careers, we delve into the fascinating world of hair, makeup, and prosthetics with Vicky Voller, a renowned makeup designer for film and television. Vicky shares her career journey, experiences working on high-profile productions, and valuable advice for aspiring makeup artists.
Discovering a Passion for Makeup Artistry
I actually wasn't aware that you could make a career out of being a makeup artist. When I call it a makeup artist, I mean hair, makeup, and prosthetics. I have always wanted to paint, and I sort of had the feeling that I would live in Paris and paint in a studio. Very romantic, I know.
Vicky Voller's journey into makeup artistry began unexpectedly. Inspired by a visit to Shepherd's Bush Theatre, she was captivated by the transformative power of makeup and decided to pursue a career at the BBC. This pivotal moment set her on a path to becoming a makeup artist, a career she hadn't initially considered.
Training Routes in Hair and Makeup
Hair is such an important part of being a makeup artist, and I wasn't aware of it at all. I just wanted to paint faces, so I went and did a three-month training hair and barbering course. Then, I worked as a hairdresser for the rest of the two years, applied to the BBC, and got in.
Vicky emphasises the importance of comprehensive training in hair, makeup, and prosthetics. She highlights the various academies and courses available today, which offer aspiring makeup artists the skills needed to succeed in the industry. Vicky's own journey included a rigorous training program at the BBC, where she learned the essential skills that would shape her career.
The Difference Between Theatre and TV
Theatre's live, and I think it takes a different type of person who wants to go and work in the evening. I've always wanted to be at home and rest in the evenings rather than do a live show night after night and probably a matinee day as well, where you do two shows.
Vicky discusses the unique challenges of working in theatre versus television. The live nature of theatre requires a different level of discipline and adaptability, which can be a valuable asset in a makeup artist's career. She notes that theatre professionals often bring a high level of discipline to their work, which is beneficial in the fast-paced environment of TV and film.
Favourite Projects and Challenges
The most challenging job that I've ever done would be for Horrible History, and I did it for three years. You had to do everything with nothing, and you had no money, and you had no time. So you'd begin the day, and you'd go, I don't think I can achieve today. And then you get to the end of the day, and you'd achieved it.
Vicky shares her experiences on various projects, including the demanding work on Horrible History and the excitement of working on Johnny English. These roles tested her skills and creativity, making them memorable highlights of her career. The challenges she faced on Horrible History, in particular, taught her valuable lessons about resourcefulness and perseverance.
Variety and Inspiration in Projects
House of the Dragon would be my favourite show for variety and for all the people who work there, because you can one minute be doing beautiful hair that women can sit on. It's beautifully braided and crimped, and then the next person who sits in your chair could be an undead person, or the next person who sits down could have half prosthetics and half makeup.
Vicky talks about the diverse and dynamic work on House of the Dragon. The variety of tasks and the collaborative environment made it a particularly rewarding experience. She enjoyed the creative challenges and the opportunity to work with a talented team, which contributed to the show's visual masterpiece.
The Importance of Teamwork
60% for me is their personality, that they're going to work as a team, that we're going to get on, and that there's not going to be an atmosphere. You could be incredibly talented, but I think if you don't have that team skill, you probably won't achieve as much as you'd like to.
Teamwork is crucial in the makeup industry. Vicky stresses the importance of good interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve the best results. She believes that a positive attitude and the ability to work well with others are just as important as technical expertise.
Working with Daniel Craig and James Bond
I was doing Daniel Craig's doubles. Well, I should say bond doubles. So I was doing stunt doubles that looked like him. But no, I never spoke to Daniel Craig, but everybody says that he's absolutely lovely. And he seemed very, very nice on set as well.
Vicky recounts her experience working on the James Bond movie, focusing on the stunt doubles. This role allowed her to contribute to the iconic franchise, even without direct interaction with Daniel Craig. Working on such a high-profile project was a dream come true for Vicky, who grew up watching James Bond films.
Advice and Wisdom from Experience
You do know you're not really saving lives, don't you? I save lives. After that, I realised that whatever happens, you just have to be calm. You just have to let it go. You have to be flexible at all times, and you have to stay calm.
Vicky shares a piece of advice that has stayed with her throughout her career: the importance of staying calm and flexible on set. This mindset helps navigate the unpredictable nature of the industry. She learned early on that maintaining composure and adaptability is key to handling the challenges of a makeup artist's career.
Starting a Career in Hair and Makeup
You have to be dedicated to doing that. I left the house for 14 and a half hours, and I think you have to be dedicated to doing that. And I have to say that that was a really long day for me. I loved every minute of it.
For those aspiring to enter the makeup industry, Vicky offers practical advice. Dedication, a good diet, and the ability to balance work and personal life are essential for a successful career. She emphasises the importance of passion and commitment, as the demands of the job can be intense.
Gaining Work Experience and Learning from Industry Professionals
You need to make sure that everyone who teaches where you're looking at actually works in the industry. That way, you're really up to date with what's happening. When you go out there, you haven't wasted your money on buying an obsolete kit or things that people aren't using.
Vicky highlights the importance of gaining work experience and learning from professionals actively working in the industry. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building a successful career in makeup artistry. She also stresses the importance of choosing reputable academies with industry-experienced tutors.
Short Biography
Vicky Voller began her career as a hairdresser in London before joining the BBC’s Hair, Make-Up, and Prosthetic Department, where she worked her way up to Designer. After 13 years of experience, she left the Beeb to pursue a freelance career.
Vicky then worked for 11 years on the medical drama Holby City since its inception, initially covering Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics. However, as the programme grew, so did its appetite and need for more and better medical effects. So, by 2000, Vicky was put solely in charge of prosthetics and effects, creating for Holby, often from scratch, the necessarily realistic and sometimes spectacular medical simulation necessary for a successful hospital-based drama.
She has a vast wealth of knowledge about talking to Producers, Directors, and Costume Designers to put a look/character together. Vicky has provided high-quality Hair and Makeup looks for television and film projects, including 'No Time to Die' with Daniel Craig, 'Hijack' with Idris Elba, 'Man vs Bee' with Rowan Atkinson and the Game of Thrones spin-off 'House of the Dragon'.
