Glittering line-up of speakers at creative industries event | News

April 2026

Graduate who worked on Netflix’s Adolescence among speakers at creative industries event

By Melanie Hall

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Read time: approx 6 mins

A University College Birmingham graduate who worked on award-winning Netflix show Adolescence was among a glittering guest speaker line-up at a fascinating creative industries employer event.

Hair and make-up artist Bethany Armstrong spoke to students alongside some of the biggest names working in prosthetics and hair and make-up for film, TV, fashion and theatre at the event put on by the University's Department of Creative Industries.

Bethany, who graduated from our specialist hair and media make-up degree in 2024 and is now a ScreenSkills trainee, said: “It was incredible to work on award-winning show Adolescence. Because many scenes were filmed in one continuous run, you almost had one shot to get the brief right, which taught me so much about precision and working under pressure.

“I still remember my supervisor discreetly stepping into a fight scene to fix a smudge with make-up – moments like that really showed me how important teamwork, timing and attention to detail are on set.”

Another alumna on the bill was Anne Marie Headland, who was hired by Warner Bros. after graduation and has worked on everything from HBO’s Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking to the Practical Magic film series starring Sandra Bullock.

Anne Marie, who was in the same degree cohort as Bethany, said: “Working on a Warner Bros. production showed me just how fast-paced and precise the industry really is. You don’t always get a second chance, so learning to stay calm, read the room and work discreetly on set is essential. Being part of a professional crew environment helped me build confidence and understand what’s truly expected in TV and film.”

Our prosthetics students applying theory to practice

Sharing their career journeys and offering guidance to students preparing to enter the sector, the line-up featured many leading lights from the industry – some who have clocked up over 30 years’ experience.

Prosthetic make-up artist and technician Stuart Conran, whose credits include hit horror comedy Sean of the Dead, emphasised the importance of building industry recognition through direct sales and relationships with make-up shops.

Stuart, himself, met Phantom of the Opera make-up designer Christopher Tucker at a young age, and later sold handmade prosthetic pieces to renowned make-up supplier Charles Fox Ltd.

He said: “This industry still runs on word of mouth, so building relationships and being proactive really matters.

“Sending a physical CV, following up, and staying in touch shows commitment and helps you stand out far more than just sending emails. Persistence and professionalism are what, ultimately, open doors.”

The guest speakers also included foam latex expert Rob Smith, who created a fake blood range widely used in the industry and whose credits include The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series.

Amy Read, a film and TV hair and make-up artist whose credits include live action Snow White and Horrible Histories, also shared her insight, and showcased her book, Training to Trainee, considered the go-to guide book for finding work as a hair and make-up trainee in a competitive industry.

Holly Alexander, an experienced, Birmingham-based female photographer, talked about her career specialising in headshots, model portfolios, visual marketing, architecture and interiors. And Lily Winfield, a bridal hair and make-up artist specialising in luxury, timeless and natural glam, also shared her experience of being an integral part of weddings and working with different skin tones and skin types.

Perfecting the line-up was Rahual, a Birmingham-based bridal and fashion make-up artist and educator, who appeared on the seventh series of BBC’s Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-up Star.

The employer event provided opportunities for networking

Between the line-up, the speakers described some of the unconventional routes that led them into make-up, fashion and prosthetics.

They highlighted how increased competition through online platforms has made passion, resilience and continuous self-promotion more important than ever, and stressed the value of using resources such as Filming in England and IMDB to identify contacts at all levels, not just senior figures.

In closing, panel members encouraged students to embrace unpaid opportunities for experience, accept rejection as part of growth, and approach their early careers with confidence, resilience and curiosity - advice many wished they could have given to their younger selves.

Industry suppliers were also at the show, including Neill’s Materials, one of the biggest names in prosthetics and special effects and supplier of products and equipment for films and TV productions and education.

Student feedback

Recent graduate Sophie Gelatka, who was invited to the event, said: “The advice from the session really helped me stop overthinking everything. Learning how important it is to read the room made such a difference, and hearing from alumni and employers helped me relax and feel more comfortable.

“I feel much more confident that I can do this. I was nervous about kit and the cost, but the advice given really put me at ease."

She added that the placements she did while at university were so important for building her skills and confidence. "I completed a range of different placements, including one with West Midlands Police and another with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire," she said. "They all helped me grow.”

Student Khaalisah Plummer said: “Hearing directly from employers and alumni really changed my perspective. I always thought I wanted to go into TV and film, but I’ve always had an interest in fashion. The advice I received helped me realise that working in fashion could actually be my dream, and that it’s something I can genuinely work towards.”

Find out more about our creative industries courses, including:

We also offer a Graphic Design BA (Hons) / FdA degree course.