Should Actors Have Tattoos with Phil Hayden
Should actors have tattoos? I recall, many moons ago, sitting, shoes off, on the grass during a beautiful Spring day in Melbourne. Surrounded by actor friends, we shared our hopes and dreams for our futures in the industry. We pondered the concept of typecasting* and where we would measure up in the casting process.
We all had the desire to be a blank slate, free to have the casting director bestow on us any job available. My friend beside me gazed at her feet and lamented her simple heart tattoo on the top of her foot, she was sure that it would hinder possible work in the future. She was set to get it removed.
On most casting forms, there is a little box where the casting director asks you to tick if you have a tattoo/s. They then offer a little section that allows you to explain the placement and detail of the tattoo/s. Would a tattooless young actor, be pleased that their answer is a simple 'no'. Would a tattooed actor, up for the same role consider the implications of ticking ‘yes’, no matter the placement?
But do these stamps of ink really impact our chances of getting roles? Can casting directors see past the ink on your skin, whether it’s ‘discreet’ or not?
*Typecasting - the practice of casting actors repeatedly in the same or similar roles based on their appearance, personality traits, or previous performances.
Does Having A Tattoo Impact My Casting Opportunities?
Tattoos have become increasingly popular in recent years, more and more people embrace body art as a form of self-expression with “1 in 4 Aussies having a tattoo” (McCrindle).
Speaking to Phil Hayden, the Studio Director at Howard Fine Acting Studio Australia, he reflects on his journey through the entertainment industry and the perception of actors with tattoos, “when I was coming up, if you like, it was quite a no, no. And I really think that's changed a heck of a lot. Even more so in the last 10 years, there was a slow change happening”.
Phil shares that depending on your age and position in the industry your tattoo/s might limit your casting opportunities because of “societal expectations” for particular roles, but it may put you in contention for other roles. “Whatever you lose in terms of a producer, not believing that a certain character type might have tattoos, you will gain in other areas where that makes you interesting.”
What if I really want to get tattoo?
Starting out in the acting industry, it can be easy to mould your life around it, making choices that leave your options open to future employment (whether it be around tattoos, hairstyles or life changes). As you get older it may not feel so easy to hold off these decisions, wanting to find the best way to express yourself.
Phil offers the following wisdom:
“We don't want to sacrifice absolutely everything in our lives for this industry, because that can be a fast road to resentment. We can often build our whole lives around it; our employment opportunities, I'm going to work casually instead of taking on a contract, because I need to be flexible for auditions. I'm not going to go on that holiday or plan that six month trip around the world. Because I want to be around in case there's auditions.
We can sacrifice a heck of a lot. And I would put getting, a full sleeve tattoo (for example). If you really really want it but you don't solely because of acting, then I will add that to the list of things that you're sacrificing. So make sure that you are still living a happy, fulfilled life outside of acting because that feeds into it and that makes you a better actor, and it makes you not resent or lowers your risk of resenting being in the industry and everything that it throws at you. Then that's going to lead to longevity.”
Does It Make A Difference If My Tattoos Are Visible Or Not?
According to Disappear Ink the most popular places on the body to get tattoos are the back and bicep (for male identifying) and neck, bicep, ribcage, feet (for female identifying). Phil offers the suggestion, if you’re contemplating a visible placement for your tattoo, that you spend time considering if it truly is right for you; “It's definitely not a big fat no, no. Which it used to be when I started”.
It comes down to whether or not a producer can picture you as the role they’re trying to fill. So again, it may take you out of contention for some roles where tattoos are not normalised, however there are other roles that could be open to you.
What about make up to cover up the tattoo?
Phil warns that ‘cameras are getting a lot better now and picture quality is getting a lot sharper’, so while you can use make up to cover up your tatts, there is still the risk they may be picked up on camera, especially since cameras are getting better in quality.
What Sam Pearce uses
Skin FX "Body Impression Mini Palette"
“This is a bit more advanced but has heaps of colours to help with different shades, and then your usual dermablend”
I was able to get some tips from Hair and Make Up Artist Samantha Pearce to cover up the ink on your skin:
“So tattoos! All actors need to do is to get a concealer the same shade as their skin where the tattoo is located. As our skin is all different shades all over I highly suggest to go in and get the section colour matched. Some great tattoo products to use to cover up are Dermablend, Skin FX "Body Impression Mini Palette”; you want to get an orange based concealer first to go over the tattoo first. This will help neutralise the black ink. In between every step dust a light translucent powder over the top to set in the creams. Next after your orange base start to layer your concealer. Concealer , powder, concealer, powder and make sure to blend out the edges so it doesn’t look so obvious where the makeup sits/starts. After you are happy with the cover up make sure you spray it with some setting spray that is also waterproof. Also - looking up any youtube tutorials is also a winner.”
Ink or Swim: Actors Taking the Plunge with Tattoos
The decision of whether or not actors should have tattoos is a subjective one. It depends on personal and professional preferences. Some industry professionals believe that tattoos enhance characters, bringing a unique edge. While others see them as a distraction that can limit an actor's career opportunities. As Phil puts it, “as long as you are prepared to genuinely, and not in a negative way… deal with any ramifications or consequences from any of your actions, then I think that's a really good place to enter the industry.” In other words, be authentically you.