Make-up united-FAQ’S
MU-ACADEMY:
-
Go to our ACADEMY page.
Find the training you want.
Tap the ‘Learn More’ or ‘Book Now’ button, which will take you to the store page.
When you’re ready to pay for a place on the workshop, select the day & date you want and ‘Add To Basket'. on the STORE page. (Keep the quantity on 1 if its just for yourself)
Tap the basket icon in the top right corner to pay.
Fill in your details on the Enrolment Form, and click Add to Basket. again
Select your preferred payment method.
-
If no dates are listed, press ‘Register Interest’ to get in touch and let us know what workshop you’re interested in.
When the dates are announced you will be the first to know and be able to book a place.
-
All workshops begin at 10 am and wrap between 4:30 - 5pm. You can arrive anytime from 9:15am onwards, tea/coffee is available in the studio kitchen. If you need to leave early just let us know at the start of the day.
-
Our studio address and map can be located by clicking CONTACT at the top of the Homepage.
We are a 5 min drive from MediaCity, and a 2 min walk from the Ladywell Tram Station. We are 5 min drive from the M602 motorway, and 10 min drive from central Manchester.
-
We have a roster of highly skilled educators with a gov recognised teaching qualification (or are working towards gaining one). They also have extensive industry experience, and most still work in industry to keep up with their craft skills.
To learn more, check out the EDUCATORS page or feel free to ask who will be presenting the workshop you are interested in.
-
Of course, if you email us at: hello@mu-a.co.uk, we can offer a phone call / Zoom meeting or to pop into the studio for a friendly chat before or after classes.
-
Not really, we will provide all of the tools, equipment and products you will need for the training. However, some people like to bring their own brushes. Providing you have completed the booking form correctly, we will can let you know in advance if there’s anything else you’ll need for the workshops.
-
Yes, if the training is to further your career in the screen industries, you can apply for a Screenskills bursary (which is a cash grant) See Training Bursary on the Academy page. We also accept Klarna (monthly instalments after the training) as a payment method.
-
We have a free car park directly in front of the studio, which is available for all visitors to the academy.
There is also an overflow car park on the other side of the road with ample free parking.
-
We limit hair and barbering workshops to a maximum of 6 people per workshop. Make-up classes have a maximum of 8-10 people, depending on the topic being taught. The class sizes are small to allow for ample 1 to 1 tutoring and to keep the learning at a good, steady pace.
-
We provide refreshments (tea, coffee, water & snacks) and a buffet lunch is also offered for a small additional charge. (£6 - £9 per person)
Please let us know if you have any allergies or specific dietary requirements well in advance.
If you prefer to bring your own food, we have a microwave and fridge in the main studio kitchen and there are also fast food outlets nearby. (Subway, McDonalds, etc)
-
No, if you have some skills already, or you don’t have the time to attend each day, you can simply book the days that you are available on.
If, at a later date, you want to ‘fill in’ any gaps you can come and do the day(s) that you missed first time around. We re-run the workshops regularly.
-
A Taster session is an overview of the workshop topic. A presentation / demonstration enables you to discover what, where and how we work. Our workshops are run by freelance artists and stylists, so they understand exactly what the industry requirements are for each topic. If you don’t see any upcoming Taster Sessions on our website, feel free to enquire when the next one will take place.
-
In 2025 all of our Taster Sessions are totally free of charge.
You will need to register in advance, as numbers are limited per session.
The entry raffle is a bonus, with free product prizes to be won every session.
-
We believe our workshops are unbeatable for quality and value for money. Which is why we no longer charge a deposit.
We advise that bookings should be made quickly, as our class sizes are small. However, if you have paid and are no longer able to attend, we are happy for you to defer to a future workshop date of the same topic.
This is because we totally understand that a freelancer’s calendar can change at very short notice.
(Sadly, we cannot offer refunds in place of a deferral).
-
Although unlikely, if this does occur, we will either refund your payment in full or offer you alternative training or another date.
We also give out generous goody bags to anyone who has had their workshop postponed.
-
For hair based workshops, we either use training heads or bring in models and volunteers for you to practice your skills on.
-
We expect learners to model for one another during make-up practical sessions. This enables you to experience how it feels to be in the chair, and to learn from one another. For hair training we either us blocks or real models, you are welcome to bring a model for this. For barbering, we try to do a mix of blocks and models.
For photoshoots / portfolio work we will book models or you can bring someone in if you prefer.
-
If there is availability, you can extend your workshop and pay on the door. However, some workshops become fully booked quite quickly, so you may need to wait for the next one.
-
If you would like to attend a workshop that isn’t listed, why not get in touch, we would love to know what interests you.
If other people want to do it - we will do our best to run it.
-
The MU-Agency represents artists and hairstylists across the UK; finding them work in a variety of sectors such as film/TV, photography, fashion shows, live events, and high profile personal appearances, etc.
We have discovered some of our most successful talent in our workshops or skill share events. Feel free to ask about representation if you are considering working with an agent.
MU-AGENCY:
-
Although we can’t predict the future for UK Productions, we try to support and provide work opportunities for our training alumni.
No agency can guarantee how much work they can provide; but we work hard to find it for those show us they can also work hard, at our workshops and other events.
-
Email us: hello@mu-a.co.uk
Tell us why you want representation, what sector you work in and what you want to do with your career?
Include links to your portfolio / showreel and a copy of your current CV. (Please don’t email photographs or large files). We will respond to your request as soon as we can.
-
Although the screen industries are very unpredictable, there is still a shortage of artists with extensive skills in specific areas. For example; styling textured hair, barbering and make-up for all skin tones.
This is why we are running these workshops; to fill in the skills gaps and support the HMU Department with highly skilled workers who can make actors. models and performers look and feel fabulous in front of the camera lens.
-
Not always; for new entrants / trainees we tend to offer our services free of charge; to help them gain experience and confidence in the screen industries. Once they have achieved their ‘time served’ status, they are ready for us to promote their skills to bigger budget based productions.
When we include a commission fee, we charge it mostly to the production company not the artist, for our time and input. We understand how costly it is to have a freelance career whilst maintaining a pro-kit and a broad range of skills, not to mention a car, computer, your accounts or accountant fee’s, etc.
-
Firstly, after reviewing your CV, portfolio and cover letter. We will have an open and honest discussion about representation.
For some people, we’ll jump at the chance to offer it because their body of work, skills and references are impeccable.
If we think you have ‘potential’, we can offer support and advice to help you improve and become much more employable. (Which benefits everyone).