Charlotte’s The Biggest City In NC—So Why Isn’t It Doing More Film Crew Training As North Carolina’s Film Industry Booms ? Time To Step Up !
April 16, 2025, Charlotte, NC — One Black Woman StoryTelling is excited to announce the 1st CAREERS IN FILM PANEL: HAIR & MAKEUP ARTISTS, taking place Monday, April 21, 6:00-7:30pm, at the 7th St Market, 224 E. 7th St, Charlotte, NC. For Adults Of All Ages & Teens. FREE !
In 2024, North Carolina’s film industry saw major growth, generating over $302 million in direct in-state spending. To meet the rising demand for the army of behind-the-scenes, working-class jobs the public rarely hears about—hair and makeup, props, wardrobe, set design, etc.—the state launched the Film Partnership of NC in Winston-Salem to provide paid apprenticeship training. But it’s a program not being promoted in Charlotte.
Trayce Gardner, who previously produced the successful Careers in Film panel series in Brooklyn, NY, while leading the grassroots nonprofit Brooklyn Young Filmmakers, is now bringing a similar low-cost model to Charlotte. Her goal: to introduce local communities to the wide range of behind-the-scenes careers in film—not just the jobs themselves, but the freelance lifestyle and the deep passion that drives so many crew members. This kind of exposure can also help families understand and support when one of their own decides to leap into such a foreign-to-them field.
Headlining the panel is John Caglione Jr., an Oscar, Emmy, and BAFTA-winning artist—and Al Pacino’s longtime personal makeup artist—widely recognized as one of the industry’s top talents. Joining him are three talented hair and makeup artists, all members of the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild, Local 798 I.A.T.S.E., with experience across film, television series, and theater. Their expertise spans wigs, special effects makeup, and prosthetics. Heather Richardson, Local 798’s Southern States Field Representative, will explain how to join the union and the benefits of membership.
Also participating is a senior student from the Wig & Makeup Department at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem—ranked the #1 public film school by The Hollywood Reporter—who will share their experiences in this cutting-edge training program.
