ABOUT

Ava Gillies is a London based Hair and Makeup Artist, working within Film, Television and Commercials. With 8 years of experience across the industry, Ava has developed a skillset to suit any project, whilst maintaining a committed and innovative attitude.

Through her varied career Ava has amassed a CV working with many productions, including StarWars, Marvel Studios, Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu and more. Most recently working as Hair and Makeup Supervisor on SpectreVisions latest horror feature film, ‘Rabbit Trap’.

From contemporary hair and makeup to period, wigs and prosthetics. Ava has a reliable skillset that can be malleable and adaptable to suit any job.

Within an ever changing industry Ava understands the importance of continuing to develop and improve her skills. Engaging in courses and private practice enables Ava to be at there forefront of the industry.


SKILLS

DEPARTMENT

  • Researching / referencing

  • Script Breakdowns

  • Character Breakdowns

  • Mood Boards

  • Organising Fittings

  • Organising wig rentals and purchases

  • Organising artists call times/changes with AD’s

  • Organising travel plans and trailer arrangements with transport/locations

  • Liaising with costume regarding costume plots, hats/wigs and accessories

  • Accounts / Budgets

  • Orders / PO’s / Petty cash

  • Department timesheets

  • PR and gifting relations Continuity

  • Sync On Set

  • Overview of cast and crowd

  • Guiding/ Mentoring trainees

MAKEUP

  • Makeup - all skin tones and ages

  • Camera ready

  • Glamour

  • Fashion

  • Period

  • Ageing

  • Character

  • Dirtying down

  • Tattoo application / cover

  • Pro bondos

  • Sculpting, moulding, filling and applying small prosthetics / flat moulds / bondos

  • Prosthetic application and colouring

  • Special effects, injury and blood

HAIR

  • Continuity cutting

  • Barbering

  • Male grooming / facial hair

  • Wigs, prepping, setting, dressing, applying, washing

  • Applying postiche

  • Period styling

  • Contemporary styling

  • Laying on facial hair

  • Basic knotting

  • Braiding in hair

  • Making hair pieces, switches (1,2 and 3 strand) and clusters


education

Cert HE Professional

Makeup Design

Delamar Academy / Sept 2018 -

Aug 2019

Theatrical, Special Effects

and Hair and Media Makeup

Diploma Level 3

York College / Sept 2017 - Aug 2018

Hair and Media Makeup Diploma

Level 2

York College / Sept 2016 - Aug 2017

Short courses

Barbering 2 week course

Total Barber Training Academy

November 2023

Bespoke Period Hair 1

week course

The Wig Room and Training Academy

June 2022

Zombie prosthetic workshop

3 days

Stuart Bray - Creative Media Skills

2019

SPECIAL EFFECTS and casualty

workshop 3 days

Amy Byrne - Creative Media Skills

2019

Skincare 1 day

Caroline Hirons / 2019

Prosthetics 1 day

Brian Kinney / 2019

Prosthetics 1 day

Sangeet Prabhaker / 2019

Prosthetics 1 day

Krystian Mallet / 2019

Awards

National Makeup awards 2017

1st Place

York College Level 3 Media Makeup

Special Recognition

hair and Beauty awards

fantasy styling

1st Place

hair and beauty awards

period styling

2nd Place

Ava has worked for…