I'm a Performer, how can I help?
- Share your lived experience with ACTRA, to support the evidence collection for the grievance that ACTRA has filed against the CMPA & AQPM.
- Speak up for your colleagues when you witness them receiving inequitable hair and makeup treatment.
- Contact ACTRA (or HAVEN, if after hours) when you witness harassment or discrimination taking place on set.
- Share this page, the articles and panel discussions listed on it to help educate members of the industry and keep this topic top of mind for industry decision makers.
- Add your name to Jill Andrew's "Protect Our Crowns" petition calling on the Government of Ontario and Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to mandate culturally responsive-training, specific to Black and textured hair in hairstyling education and practice across Ontario.
I’m a Producer or Department Head, how can I help?
- Hire qualified crew to adequately take care of your cast. Ask the right questions during the hiring process, and be specific about the needs required of the cast when confirming qualifications. Don’t just rely on resume credits. Ask for portfolio photos of the hair styles and textures your production will be featuring. Ask them to provide references of BIPOC performers that they have worked on who can vouch for their work.
- Ensure that the hired stylists have the right tools to do their jobs effectively. Ask about their kit and if they have the necessary products and equipment to adequately service your cast, or if they require additional kit fees to round out their tools and products appropriately.
- Budget appropriately for the department. Will your cast need to be compensated for additional processing time outside of their expected workday? Will your stylists need to purchase any additional tools or products? Will you need to book additional dailies for days where complex styles might need additional help?
- Remember that it is your responsibility to uphold a work environment that is free of harassment and discrimination. Read the Joint Hair and Makeup Bulletin for reminders for best practices for ensuring hair and makeup equity on your set.
- Take LinkedIn's 10 Free Courses to help end hair discrimination and support a more equitable work environment
I’m a Director/Writer, how can I help?
- Ensure that the characters are being portrayed authentically – especially regarding their hair and makeup looks. Read the directives published in the Being Seen Reports and consider if your depiction of the character might perpetuate any harmful stereotypes. Is the hairstyle you’ve chosen a realistic choice given the activities the character will be taking part in?
I’m an Assistant Director, how can I help?
- Fix it in Prep. Don’t forget to speak with the Director and Hair and Makeup team to ensure that you have a fulsome understanding of the hair and makeup needs (and associated in-chair times) for the production.
- Build adequate time into the schedule for the hair styles and makeup that is required of the characters. The reality is that some hair and makeup styles require significantly more time than others. This needs to be communicated about in advance and scheduled accordingly to ensure that performers and stylists are not being rushed due to poor planning.
I’m a Hairstylist, how can I help?
- Communicate with the talent in advance of the production. Make sure that you fully understand their unique needs before arriving to set, so that you can prepare accordingly to have the correct equipment and products with you to meet their needs to the best of your ability.
- Communicate with the Producer and your Department Head - especially if the performer might be required to do any special washing or preparation of their hair that may require additional compensation for them, or if you need to purchase additional items for your kit.
- Communicate with the Assistant Director – be sure that they know exactly how long you will need to style each performer so that they can schedule the day accordingly.
- Don’t take things personally. Many BIPOC performers have grown accustomed to years of getting to set and finding a hairstylist who either doesn’t know how to or doesn’t want to style their hair, or have been through traumatic experiences on set where their hair has been permanently damaged. It will take time, effort, and patience to heal this trauma and rebuild the trust that has been lost. Please be understanding of this and don’t take things personally.
- Participate in ongoing training and development. Seek out opportunities to up-skill and improve your ability to work on all hair textures.
I’m a Makeup Artist, how can I help?
- Communicate with the talent in advance of the production. Make sure that you fully understand their unique needs before arriving to set, so that you can prepare accordingly to have the correct equipment and products with you to meet their needs to the best of your ability.
- Communicate with the Producer and your Department Head - especially if you need to purchase additional items for your kit to best suit the skin tones and types you will be working on.
- Communicate with the Assistant Director – be sure that they know exactly how long you will need to work on each performer so that they can schedule the day accordingly.
- Don’t take things personally. Many BIPOC performers have grown accustomed to years of getting to set and finding a makeup artist who is inexperienced in working with their skin tone or facial structure, or doesn’t have the correct range of makeup shades for their skin. Many have had traumatic experiences on set that have resulted in them feeling as though they need to bring their own personal products with them, in case the makeup artist is ill-equipped. It will take time, effort, and patience to heal this trauma and rebuild the trust that has been lost. Please be understanding of this and don’t take things personally.
- Participate in ongoing training and development. Seek out opportunities to up-skill and improve your ability to work on all skin tones and facial structures.