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A prosthetic artist is someone who works a lot behind the scenes in TV/Film. The job can entail, sculpting, moulding, running, colouring and applying prosthetics from a workshop well before production takes place. Post production prosthetics artists along side head of department would break down the script to visualise what prosthetics are required for different characters. Prosthetic artists are rarely on set and more so spend production days running, de-moulding and sometimes pre-colouring prosthetics.

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My goal is to become a prosthetics artists within the TV and Film Industry. This is a more recent goal of mine not straying to far of last years goal of wanting to be a TV and Film Makeup Artist. Many might not be aware of the difference between the two and may think they entail the same responsibilities to which they would be incorrect. The main difference being that a makeup artists job would be mostly natural makeup and then being on set most of the day. Whereas a Prosthetics artist may not spend too much time on set and more behind the scenes and also apply character/creature makeup (the makeups I find much more interesting). I personally would love applying prosthetics daily as I feel that it gives more creative freedom and it's a makeup medium that interests me most. My goal has changed knowing the difference between the roles of a makeup artist and prosthetics artist, evaluating my skills and realising my love for the whole process of making and applying prosthetics.

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Within Wales the performing arts has grown massively in the past few years opening more opportunities for everyone to take the first step into the industry. "In 2021, the Welsh screen sector saw a turnover of £575 million, a 36% increase from the year before." And the industry haven't stopped growing in Wales since then and has been producing huge hits such as Netflix's Sex Education, His Dark Materials, Doctor Who and much more. There are also numerous film studios within Wales within a forty minute drive of my house, opportunities are right on my door step! Some of the Studios include Dragon Studios (Bridgend), Bay Studios (Swansea), Wold Studios (Cardiff), Screen Alliance Wales (Cardiff), BBC (Cardiff) and that's only to name a few! Referring back to opportunities being on my doorstep Danny Marie Elias owner of Square Peg Studios is based in my home town. Danny also takes on huge prosthetic projects such as, Star Wars The Last Jedi, Doctor Who, The Convent and more. Taking all this information into consideration would say the industry is very accessible to me here in Wales as a prosthetics artist. Another factor that makes the industry more accessible to me is that I hold a drivers license, this will benefit me as I can travel to any jobs without relying on public transport. I also have studied up to a HND in specialist makeup which can benefit me getting a job in industry as I have already learnt a lot of skills I need practically. Even though there are many factors that make the industry more accessible to me there also factors that can affect that accessibility. One being

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When trying to get a job in industry or when I am at a point where I am in the industry it is important to know what support can be available in all types of situations. From the start of the journey into the TV and Film industry it is important to be apart of a union because it offers support with financial and legal services, helping with job rates making sure your paid fairly, help find networking events to further develop career opportunities, contracts, bulling/harassment, well-being and these are only to name a few. They even assist with outside of work such as finances, discounts on your energy bills and lifestyle benefits. Subscription costs depend on personal gross annual earnings but starts at just £10 for access to any support you need. Another great support website that is free is Film + TV Charity. This is a website that offers support on numerous subjects a like with Bectu. It showcases different links for different areas of the support you need as well as a well-being check in area where you can take a few minutes to go through some questions to help take care of you. An important feature the website has is a 24 hour confidential call line for any necessary support on 0800 054 0000.

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Above you see my most recent skills audit and below one I completed last year. in comparison I can see a lot of my different skills have developed over the last year. The skill o have improved on the most is being a critical, analytical and creative thinker. This is an important skill when working in the prosthetics industry as I can be faced with many differnt problems daily with moulds, running or sculpting so having this skill gives me the confidence I need to be able to face any problem and overcome it. I feel that being in university last year had a huge impact on developing this skill as I was able to bring out my creativity and work out problems I was faced with easily while still knowing I had the support if needed. Another skill I have developed massively is to be an accomplished communicator. This is again a very important skill to have going into industry as daily in will be communicating with other artists, directors, producers etc. Communicating is one of the most important skills ti have in industry as I will have to communicate times to the team and be able to work with others to bring a makeup vision to life. These are skills that will help me gain accessibility to my career goal. Even though I have developed a lot of skills over the past year there is still one or two I need to further develop to help me excel into the industry. The first being professional and adaptable. Being professional is top priority in the industry which I feel that I am but will further develop while I am working industry by then learning the correct set etiquette and being professional with co-workers. Being adaptable is important as I never know where and when I could be working, it's very unpredictable. As in university I have a big area to set up, mirrors and good lighting, extractors etc, I will need to learn to become adaptable to different environments as I may not have any of this comfiness on set. I will also need to be adaptable in my work hours as workshop days are very long and very tiring. The only way I can develop these skills is when I am in industry working and adapt as I go. Another skill that has slightly decreased is being a flexible team worker. The last year many projects have been independent projects so I will make sure to work on my team work skills within the last projects of the year to make sure I will be a good team player in the industry. Team work is important in industry as no matter what department I am in I will be in a team. This skill can link with communication as good communication is needed to be a team worker. I feel I will have mo problem developing this skill as I am a confident person that can talk to others to work together.

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Even though diversity within the industry has come on a long way the past few decades we still ain’t fully inclusive yet. This industry is very male dominated and there are studies to show, “The UCLA study found that women held the gains they’ve made on-screen, representing 47% of film leads and 42% of actors. Women and people of color have made progress in the key, powerful roles of director and film writer, but are still vastly underrepresented. Women are less than 22% of directors and 33% of film writers. And both male and female people of color represent 30% of directors and 32% of film writers. “There’s a lot more work that needs to be done, particularly for women of color,” says Ana-Christina Ramon, UCLA’s director of research and civic engagement. “They again lag behind, in getting those major jobs as directors of top films.” This information is important to me as a woman wanting to enter the TV/Film indusrty as I am now more aware it may be more difficult entering this industry and so I want futher push for change for other woman and minority groups for more development going into the future. As a woman entering the prosthetics industry it can be daunting as the main professionals of this sector of the industry are white older males who have been apart of the industry for a great amount of time. It can be intimidating but I would like to break this stereotype and start to see more woman with the workshop. UCLA also found that “This lack of diversity at the top has a ripple effect across productions: the study found that films written or directed by women last year had casts that were significantly more diverse than those written or directed by white men. But the study also found that women and people of color have a harder time raising financing for a film, and when they do, raise less funding for their films – they’re more likely to helm a film with a budget of less than $20 million than white men are.” Even though statistics are far from where they should be UCLA’s “Hollywood Diversity Report“ also states, “the percentage of leading roles played by people of color in last year’s top 200 films has nearly quadrupled since 2011; that their share of writing credits has more than quadrupled; and that their percentage of directing jobs has nearly tripled. It also found that the percentage of women in leading roles has nearly doubled over the last decade; that their share of writing credits has more than doubled; and that the percentage of women directors has increased by more than fivefold over the past decade.” This research gave me great hope for the future of film an tv as a female wanting to enter the industry, it is definatly a great start for woman and people of colour to get the recognition they deserve.

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In the TV and Film industry as a prosthetics artist I would more than likely be working as a free-lance artist which means I would be "an independent contractor who earns wages on a per-job or per-task basis, typically for short-term work. Benefits of freelancing include the freedom to work from home or from a non-traditional workspace, a flexible work schedule, and a better work/life balance." As a freelance artist I need to have public liability insurance. It is also recommend to have cover for my tools and equipment, as it the key thing that helps me work and it is expensive to replace. Being freelance also means I will be completely reliant on myself, for example it is my job to find work, do my own taxes and have my own kit and tools. If I become either a freelancer or employed it is recommended to join a union, for example a great one is bectu (as mentioned above), they “represent over 40,000 staff, contract and freelance workers in the media and entertainment industries”. They can offer legal advice, work or non-work related support, support on doing my finances as a freelancer and a whole lot more for just under £15 a month. It is quick and easy to join by ringing 020 7346 0900 or apply online @https://bectu.org.uk/join/

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Risks associated with sustaining health and well-being

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Risks associated with sustaining health and well-being

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When I think of the Film and TV industry I think of the glamorous red carpets, high paying jobs and all in all a great working atmosphere but in reality it can be a very dangerous job with lots of risks if the right precautions are not in place for everyone. The Tv and Film industry has had its fair share of accidents over the years and mistakes are still being made now. On October 21st 2021 while "on set filming the forthcoming western flick Rust, actor Alec Baldwin discharged a mishandled prop firearm, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Authorities turned their focus to the production’s armorer and property key assistant, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed; an inexperienced and dubiously qualified armorer who's previously faced allegations of continually violating basic firearm safety protocol. On January 19, both Baldwin and Guiterrez-Reed were charged with involuntary manslaughter." This was a terrible incident that ruined multiple peoples lives that day from carelessness of another, anyone else could of been injured on set that day this is why in this industry everyone needs to be aware of what's going on and ensuring everyone is safe. This is just one incident of many over the years from things that could have been prevented with more care. There are many more risks in the wider industry including the use of stunts. While the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows took place Danial Radcliffs stunt double David Holmes was left paralysed after a cable made to propel him back in a battle ended up crashing him into a wall. "The impact was so strong that it caused a fracture in his neck, and he was taken to the hospital. He would never move his body from the waist down again." David now spends his time raising awareness about the dangerous work of stuntmen. Working in the industry does not only come with its physical risks but mental ones too. When working in the industry work hours are very long this can leave you tired and there is how simple mistakes can be made fatal like shown above. The tiring/long hours will also lead to burnout and can leave you feeling isolated from friend and family so it is important I learn support systems I can have in place to help me with these risks. I will go into detail in my maintenance plan of how I can overcome all these risks as well as the support and recourses I will need.

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to support career development

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What are Health, Safety and Well-being issues within my chosen career path?

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What are Health, Safety and Well-being issues within my chosen career path?

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Within the job of being a prosthetics artist it comes with many risks on its own. One being the exposure to different chemicals. Some of the chemicals that may cause me harm include acetone, cabosil, isopropyl alcohol and much more. If not handled correctly they can be very dangerous. Another risk of getting RSI (repetitive strain injury) which is "a condition in which the prolonged performance of repetitive actions, typically with the hands, causes pain or impairment of function in the tendons and muscles involved"

This can occur from bending improperly to apply makeup, carrying heavy objects such as plaster, kit bags and more or even sat with improper posture.

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Is being a Prosthetics Artist a sustainable career path?

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Is being a Prosthetics Artist a sustainable career path?

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Firstly, what does is mean for a career to be sustainable? "A sustainable career enables you to stay healthy, happy, productive, and employable throughout its span—and fits in with the rest of your life at every stage. In other words, it's a career that is the perfect “fit” for you." I believe becoming a prosthetics artist is fit for me as I am passionate about all aspects of this field. Becoming a prosthetics artist can defiantly be a sustainable job with the right mindset and awareness of the different health, safety and wellbeing issues that can happen in and out of work. Knowing the issues and how to battle them is the most important thing to be successful in this field as it can take a lot of stress on you mentally and physically. When being self employed it is important for me to always find work, this is my main concern when thinking about sustainability as sometimes I may not know where the next job opportunity will arise. To help with this I will make sure I stay in contact with industry professionals and make good impressions to get my name out there for future job opportunities. After a few jobs most individuals in industry have no issue finding work. Another issue that I might face in the future as a special effects artist is the use of Artificial intelligence and CGI. In a recent masterclass with The Prosthetics Studio Shaune explained that now technology is adapting Films and TV shows he recently worked on with a lower budget can now have access to CGI as much as bigger productions. This can be harmful for Special FX artists as directors will go with the option of CGI to save the clean-up, making of prosthetics, application and removal. for example Groot from Gradians of the Galaxy “could be done as a physical costume and makeup, but he looks far better in cgi.” Although CGI was the obvious choice for Marvel the budget for the film was $250 million, as for a smaller budget film this would be far from achievable. Even though CGI is said to be realistic this article highlighting the difference between CGI vs practical FX argues that “even the newest technology very rarely looks as authentic as practical effects on a high-definition screen. Additionally, since practical effects use physical objects, actors’ performances can be enhanced by this element of realism.” Even though there is a fear CGI can affect a special FX artists employability in the future I agree with the past statement that CGI sometimes misses the essence of realism that a Special FX artist can achieve. Overall after carrying out research I feel that becoming a prosthetics artist would be a sustainable career path for me as I am now aware of all risks that can occur and know how to properly look after me and my wellbeing.

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Strategies to support sustainability as a prosthetics artist

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Strategies to support sustainability as a prosthetics artist

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I want to know going into the prosthetics industry the best strategies I can use to support me with sustainability, when researching I was surprised to see many ways to assist me some of them including:

"Advocate for Professional Development.

Pursue Certifications and Continuing Education.

Develop a Personal Brand.

Leverage People Management Skills.

Be Open to Inter-Departmental Transfers.

Prioritize Networking.

Follow the Trends.

Ramp Up Your Tech Skills."

These are some great strategies that I am going to use going forward to help me with sustainability in my chosen career path, some of which I have already completed such as, developing a personal brand and pursing certifications/education. Being sustainable is not only about my personal skills but also my mental skills. It is said that "The key to building a sustainable career is knowing yourself inside and out—what you bring to the table, what your goals are, and what makes you feel energized. Once you have a handle on how your unique skills and interests can add value in the workplace, you'll be ready to build a sustainable career." This is something I for certain need work on as i have changed career direction a few times in the last few years so it is important I know what skills I can further develop to "bring to the table".

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Now that technology has grown in the industry it is a lot more accessible to everyone and a lot less secretive, so it is now simple to learn more about prosthetics by joining Facebook groups such as Neil Gorton's 911, joining online courses or even messaging professionals directly. 3D scanning is making a rise in the industry so to stay up to date with the trend Coleg Gwent offer five-week courses learn the basics of 3D soft wears for a small fee. Adding this to my CV will help me stand out from other applicants when applying for job which will then support me with long term employability. When applying for jobs technology has also hugely affected the interview process as previously an in-person portfolio would be required full of your best pieces of work to show potential employers whereas now it is very common only have an online portfolio such which can be displayed on a professional website or even Instagram. This makes reaching out to employers easier as a CV and portfolio can be sent to anyone at a touch of a button. I personally will still create a physical portfolio to stand out from other applicants to gain employability and support me in the long run with going from project to project. I will also create an online portfolio to give myself ease when applying for jobs online. Social media has changed the game for me as an artist as I am able to contact people such as Danny Elias who is an industry professional very easily. This will help with long term employability as I can keep in contact with past or future co-workers to keep up to date with projects I can apply to work on. I can also use the platfrom to promote myself to future clients and employers. Technology is also used throughout the whole process of filming for a production to communicate to departments. Whatsapp is now very commonly used as its quick and effective to contact a person. This makes networking and staying in touch with other artists much easier than the past. Networking and attending makeup events is important to employability to be able to scout for jobs and meet other artists who can direct you to employability. When looking deeper I now realise how important trends can be to support my long term employability. To keep up I will stay present on all types of social media and post updated work, attend events relevant to being a prosthetic artist and contact industry professionals.

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What is promotional material? "Promotional materials or marketing materials are any form of published content that advertises a brand or company." Within this pallet I have mentioned many of time that I going to use promotional material to support me within long term employment. Some promotional material I will use is my logo, business cards and website. I have included images of these material within the section that states "strategies to support long term employment".

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From the beginning of my Level 5 course I have been taking every opportunity for work experience possible and I'm glad to say I have got myself involved in as much as possible. One of the first being Chitty Bang Bang for Tredeager Operatics in September 2023. This was an amazing whole week experience not only working on the standard stage makeup for male and females but also creating my own interpretation of the character The Child Catcher. This was an amazing experience that gave me full character freedom but I was also able to work on time management as my actor was in a few beginning numbers. This gave me amazing time managment as I could complete a look that could have taken an hour or more in 30 minutes. I also worked on a prediction of the Adams Family. This was a project I was woking solo and was able to complete over 6 main character makeups in two hours! One including a full female hair wrap and bald cap application. I was very happy with myself to be able to accomplish this and again I was able to work on my time management skills. A few months later I also had taken part in a simulation event for training paramedics. This was a great experience to practice realism and test my work ethic as it was late at night and a far travel from home. Lastly I attended a masterclass that can help support my long term employment. This masterclass was for working on afro hair and darker skin tones. It was very beneficial to me as I now have the confidence to go into industry and work on afro hair or darker skin tones with the correct knowledge.

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

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Adams Family

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SFX simulation

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(No date a) Repetitive strain injury - translation in Spanish - bab.la. Available at: https://en.bab.la/dictionary/english-spanish/repetitive-strain-injury (Accessed: 12 April 2024).

(No date b) 10 terrifying accidents on film sets. Available at: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/g42791580/10-terrifying-accidents-on-film-sets/ (Accessed: 12 April 2024).

The accident that left Harry Potter’s stunt double paralyzed for life (no date) Entrenamientos PRL realistas con realidad virtual. Available at: https://www.ludusglobal.com/en/blog/the-accident-that-left-harry-potters-stunt-double-paralyzed-for-life (Accessed: 13 April 2024).

Courtney, E. (2022) How (and why) to build a sustainable career: FlexJobs, FlexJobs Job Search Tips and Blog. Available at: https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/build-a-sustainable-career/#:~:text=A%20sustainable%20career%20enables%20you,and%20wherever%20you’re%20at. (Accessed: 13 April 2024).

Downey, L. (no date) What is a freelancer: Examples, taxes, benefits, and drawbacks, Investopedia. Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/freelancer.asp#:~:text=Key%20Takeaways,a%20better%20work%2Flife%20balance. (Accessed: 13 April 2024).

How to win over customers with promotional materials (2022) American Image Displays. Available at: https://american-image.com/promotional-materials/#:~:text=Promotional%20materials%20or%20marketing%20materials,ways%20they%20can%20be%20published. (Accessed: 13 April 2024).

Nine Strategies for Sustainable Career Growth (no date) American Society of Administrative Professionals. Available at: https://www.asaporg.com/9-strategies-for-sustainable-career-growth (Accessed: 13 April 2024).

Wales: TV and film generates £155m for economy since 2020 (2022) BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64100916 (Accessed: 13 April 2024).

Will CGI replace Special Effect Makeup in films? (no date) Quora. Available at: https://www.quora.com/Will-CGI-replace-special-effect-makeup-in-films (Accessed: 13 April 2024).