Highlighting

Definition

Highlighting refers to the technique of using makeup to emphasize or draw attention to specific features of an actor's face, enhancing their appearance under stage lighting. This technique is crucial for creating distinct characterizations, as it allows actors to convey emotions and personalities more effectively, making them visually engaging for the audience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Highlighting can involve various products, such as creams, powders, or even gels, which are applied to areas like the cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of the nose.
2. Proper highlighting is essential for ensuring that an actor's facial features are visible from a distance, especially under bright stage lights that can wash out natural colors.
3. Different lighting conditions may require different highlighting techniques, as some may require more intense or subtle applications depending on the overall design of the production.
4. Incorporating highlighting into a makeup design can significantly affect how an actor's performance is perceived by the audience, as it contributes to the emotional tone of their portrayal.
5. Highlighting should be balanced with contouring; together they create depth and dimension on stage, making characters more lifelike and relatable.

Review Questions

• How does highlighting enhance an actor's performance and contribute to their character's emotional portrayal?
  • Highlighting plays a vital role in enhancing an actor's performance by emphasizing their facial features in a way that aligns with the character's emotional state. By applying makeup to accentuate areas like cheekbones and brows, actors can visually convey emotions more effectively. This visual cue helps audiences connect with the character on a deeper level, making the performance more impactful and relatable.
• Discuss how different stage lighting conditions can influence the application of highlighting in makeup design.
  • Different stage lighting conditions greatly influence how highlighting should be applied in makeup design. For example, in brighter lights, a more pronounced highlighting technique may be needed to ensure facial features stand out against the illumination. Conversely, softer lighting may require subtler applications to avoid a washed-out look. Understanding these variations allows makeup artists to adjust their techniques for optimal visibility and effect during performances.
• Evaluate the importance of highlighting in achieving a cohesive makeup design that supports a character's development throughout a performance.
  • Highlighting is crucial in achieving a cohesive makeup design that supports a character's development throughout a performance. It not only emphasizes key facial features but also reinforces character traits and emotional arcs visually. A well-executed highlighting technique can reflect changes in a character's journey, such as their emotional state or transformation, helping audiences understand and engage with the narrative more profoundly. By strategically using highlighting alongside other makeup techniques, artists can create a comprehensive visual representation that enhances storytelling.

Related terms

Contouring: A makeup technique that uses darker shades to create shadows on the face, enhancing the structure and defining features.

Stage Lighting: The strategic use of artificial light to illuminate the stage and enhance the visibility and mood of a performance.

Character Makeup: Makeup applied to transform an actor into their character, often involving special effects and techniques to convey age, ethnicity, or specific traits.