Holly Lander

1. What made you decide to apply for your trainee position on the Northern Routes Training Scheme? Since becoming qualified I checked the Northern Routes web site and read about the trainees who had been appointed. The success stories of previous trainees and training opportunities offered to them were what lead me to apply.

2. Please give a brief outline of your previous experience, related to this training position.
I have endeavoured to obtain any related experience within the Hair and make-up arena to improve my skill level. Most recently I was a Trainee Hair and Make-up Artist on Clay, a Childsplay Production for the BBC which aired in April and worked at The Royal Exchange Theatre as a Wig Assistant on the production Childrens Hour. I have shadowed Hair and Make-up Artists on The Good Housekeeping Guide, Cracker and Burn It and undertaken a weeks work experience with Ray Marston Wigs in London to improve my wig skills. Lots of the work I have done has been unpaid
but has been key to improving my skill level and developing contacts within the industry.

3. There were nearly 500 applications for 22 places across the North of England, how did it feel to be chosen?
Absolutely fantastic, I was ecstatic, this is such a fantstic opportunity to gain first class training and experience within the industry. I feel very proud and privileged to be chosen and am keen to make the most of the opportunity.

4. What have you been up to so far on your placement?
I have learnt a lot about what preparation goes into a production and about maintaining wigs in TV. I have been
helping with continuity and been going out on set.

5. What's been the best bit(s)?
I love being part of the team, learning and being able to practice new skills.

6. What are your long term career aims and how do you feel this scheme will help you achieve them?
Long term I would like to develop a network of key people within the industry and have the required range and level of skills to work at the highest level. I would like to be able to understand the processes involved in making a TV production and to become a respected Make-up Designer/ Supervisor in the TV and Film Industry. I believe the Northern Routes Training Scheme will give me a valuable insight as to what is involved in making a TV Production, not only in my chosen field but across the skills of the whole production team. I am meeting people who I will keep in touch with and hopefully work with again. My existing skills are being built on and I am learning valuable new ones. Jess Taylor who is the Make-up Designer is fantastic and is teaching me new techniques daily, she is a great role model and very encouraging.