Spotlight on Jennifer Lamphee
Jen Lamphee, Here Come the Habibs set
Proud MEAA member, Jennifer Lamphee is a hair and makeup designer on the new TV show Here Come the Habibs we talk to her about her role and life on set.
What is your role and what does it entail?
I am a hair and makeup designer, which starts with reading the script. I work closely with the director and actors to then create character looks. We use prosthetics, wigs, hairpieces, makeup and hair styling to achieve these results.
Take me through a typical day on set.
My on-set day starts usually one to two hours before crew call. We make up all the cast according to the shooting day. We do day changes when we are shooting all different episodes so we have to make sure we are on top of our continuity. We head to set with our cast members and maintain them throughout a 12 hour shooting day. I also set up for the following day so my team know what is ahead.
What were you most looking forward to when you started on Here Come the Habibs?
The thing I was most looking forward to was big hair and using lots of false eyelashes and heavy eye makeup. It's not a natural looking makeup show; it is much more fun and glamourous.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I started in the industry after my hair dressing apprenticeship. I became an assistant at around 19 years old to a fantastic makeup artist; I was young and very keen. It just grew from there and I designed my first film at 23 years old.
What have been some of your career highlights?
Some of my career highlights would definitely be designing Wolverine and The Water Diviner. Both productions were completely different, one period set during the war the other had more of a sci-fi edge. I also travelled overseas with both productions, which is always fun.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
To keep persisting and to get out and do work experience as much as you can with a really great attitude. Someone will snap you up as an assistant.
What does being a MEAA member mean to you?
To me it’s great to have the support of a union. To know that you have someone on the agenda to make all crew conditions better, safer, and to speak on behalf of the crew and to know what’s going on across the country.
