The Hair Department Head

This Week's Film Crew 101 Guest:

Chris Clark's hair department head credits include Pan Am, Scream Queens, Feud: Bette and Joan, American Crime Story, Pose, The Politician, and Netflix's recent TV series Ratched, a psychological crime thriller starring Sarah Paulson. 

Listen To The Episode Here:

The Hair Department Head: 

 A hair department head designs all of the hairstyles for the show and manages a team of hairdressers that help with the implementation and maintenance of the design vision for the principal cast, background actors, stunt performers, photo doubles, and any other hairstyle that will appear on camera. This could include hair cutting and styling, wig dressing and application, color services, and maintaining continuity photos and documents. Additionally, the department head may bring in hairdressers with specific skill sets like braiding, coloring, or cutting hair to supplement the team and implement the designs that are needed to achieve their vision on screen. 

During pre-production, the department head will research and design the looks that they want to represent each character. This research can include reading the script and researching the film’s time period, each character (including details like their wealth-status), and, if the film is based on real-life, researching the events that inspired the film. During filming, the hair department head will work closely with hair, wardrobe, and sound departments to ensure that the integrity of their hair design is maintained when other departments need to place a costume, microphone, or makeup design. They will take care not to rush this process for the actor, as the actor will need to be prepared mentally for filming his or her scene. 

The department head continues to style hair and manage their team until filming has finished and the department has wrapped. 

What’s a Hair Department Head good at?

Hairstyling: A great department head hair has a wide range of knowledge and experience working with hair departments in the film industry. In addition, it’s important for a hair department head to be aware of what skills they are not as strong in so that they can bring in people to supplement the crew in those specific ways.  

Team Management: In addition to designing hairstyles for the production,  a hair department head is responsible for hiring the hair department crew, managing the director’s needs and the actors’ needs, attending meetings, making sure that the trailer is properly stocked with supplies, and collaborating with different departments and producers. This requires skills in communication, delegation, and organization.  

Team player: To lead their department and collaborate with others on set effectively, a department head must be a team player. This includes arriving each day ready to work hard and treat others with respect. 

Who does a Department Head Hair work with?

 Producers

UPM  

Assistant Department Head Hair  

3rd Hairstylist 

Makeup Department Head

Costume Department Head

Special Effects

How do I become a Hair Department Head? 

Start off in the hair department and work your way up as you gain experience and cultivate your personal design aesthetic. Be a team player, have a willingness to learn and practice your craft, and have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of hairdressing. 

Pro tip: If you want to get started in the hair department on film, make sure you know how to put in a hot roller on base. This is important if you get hired for a period film. 

What is the salary range?

Salaries for a hair department head vary according to the production budget and whether or not you're in a union. For more information on union salaries and how to join a union, visit https://www.iatse.net/

What is in the Hair Department Head’s kit box? 

• Rollers and hot rollers
• Wig oven, stock of wigs, and wig blocks
• Wig maintenance tools
• Stove irons
• An array of hair products for all hair textures
• Shears/ texture shears
• An assortment of combs and brushes
• Sanitation supplies
• Color supplies
• Sewing kit
• Personal PPE
• Adhesives and removers
• Electrics 
• Period-specific hair accessories
• Office Supplies
• File Box

Each production will require different tools and accessories. Have a broad range of quality hairstyling equipment. 

Kit box rate can often be negotiated with the production. 

Position Terminology

Assistant Department Head Hair:   Formerly known as the key hairstylist, this term refers to the assistant department head hair, second in line in the hair department. 

Books to Read: 

 “Fashions in Hair” by Richard Corson

Learn More:  

Chris Clark: Check out Chris' IMDb page here, follow him on Instagram @Wigorama, @ChrisClark.hair, and check out his website at www.wigorama.com

Alex Ford: Check out Alex's IMDb page here, or visit her website at https://alexfordhmu.com/

 

Many thanks to our sponsors at the Cherokee Nation Film Office!