This content was submitted by Bridget Gardiner
My name is Bridget Gardiner and I am a freelance hair and make-up artist, based in the South West of England. I gained qualifications - from City & Guilds - in hairdressing, advanced hairdressing, wig making and beauty therapy. I used these qualifications to work abroad before transferring my skills into a teaching degree to train others coming into the industry.
But in 2019 I decided to make a career change, after suffering bullying in the workplace which had an impact on my mental health. I redirected my skills in hairdressing and beauty into the field of hair and media make-up by upskilling on a specialist course run by Peter Swords King. I had just started the course when partway through it was closed due to the global pandemic. So, I went online to find other ways to study and get myself industry-ready for when things reopened. This is when I found ScreenSkills.
Have you benefited from any ScreenSkills support so far?
I completed my online profile at ScreenSkills.com and went about following the programme of information ScreenSkills had to offer. I found the freelance toolkit an invaluable section of information for those of us just starting out. I watched a range of on demand videos to find out more about working on set and on developing your career. I also completed a series of recommended courses including the Coronavirus basic awareness on production training, Tackling harassment and bullying at work, Addressing unconscious bias: basic awareness in the workplace and Mentoring for mentees.
What effect has this support had on your career so far?
Armed with the knowledge and confidence I gained from this training, I have already completed several projects as a freelance hair and make-up artist this year. My work so far has included working on a range of projects from an independent feature film to a TV pilot, on a music video and most recently a bit of outdoor theatre. ScreenSkills was an absolute lifeline in the pandemic, it allowed me to carry on learning and developing my skills and to keep marketing myself. This in turn put me in a position to get out there and get noticed. It has also allowed me to move quickly up the ladder since completing my training at the end of 2020, from the position of hair and make-up artist to hair and make-up supervisor.
What is the most interesting/remarkable/proud moment or achievement of your career so far?
Taking the leap of faith from a safe and secure teaching job, to becoming a freelance hair and make-up artist is something I am very proud of. Especially with the added complexity of a global pandemic. No one would have blamed me if I had returned to teaching and the safety such a job offers. But instead, I followed my dream and I got out there and I have started making my dream my reality.
If you could give advice to someone interested in pursuing your job role or a career in the screen industries more generally, what would you say?
I would say if you are determined enough, anything is possible. There are some wonderful people in this industry and they are willing to help and advise you. Take that advice, learn as much as you can. Don’t ever give up learning until you know everything and when you know everything perhaps it’s time to retire. If you love what you do, you will never do a day’s work in your life.