What a Hair Stylist Does on a Film or TV Set
A professional Hair Stylist is responsible for designing, executing, and maintaining the hair looks for cast members throughout a production. That work begins in prep, when they collaborate with the director and costume department to develop looks that fit the story period, character, and visual tone. On shoot days, they style talent before first camera and stand by throughout the day for touch-ups between takes.
On larger productions, the Hair Stylist works under a Department Head or Key Hairstylist. On smaller shoots, they may serve as the key themselves, managing a kit, tracking continuity across scenes, and sometimes working alongside the Makeup Artist as a combined department. Either way, their impact on how a performance reads on screen is significant.
What to Look for When Hiring in Hollywood
Hollywood productions attract a deep pool of union and non-union Hair Stylists with credits ranging from studio features and network television to independent films, commercials, and music videos. When evaluating candidates, producers should look for:
- A strong portfolio or reel showing range across hair types, textures, and period styles
- Familiarity with continuity documentation and set etiquette
- Experience working within your production scale, whether that is a single-camera indie or a multi-camera television set
- IATSE Local 706 membership if your production is signatory, or demonstrated non-union experience at a comparable level
- Reliable references from directors, ADs, or other department heads
Rate Context for Hollywood Hair Stylists
Rates for Hair Stylists in Hollywood vary depending on union status, the scope of the project, and the individual's experience level. Union productions governed by IATSE agreements follow negotiated scale rates with overtime, kit rental, and other stipulations built in. Non-union productions typically negotiate day rates or weekly flat deals. Day rates across experience levels can range quite a bit, so it is worth budgeting realistically and discussing kit fees, travel, and prep days upfront. Producers working on non-union projects should still plan for competitive rates if they want to attract experienced Hollywood talent.
How NeedaCrew Makes Hiring Faster
NeedaCrew is a professional marketplace built specifically for film and television production in the US and Canada. Every crew member on the platform is verified, so you are not sifting through unvetted responses. You post your project with the details that matter, role, dates, location, rate, and union status, and qualified Hair Stylists can respond directly.
If you are a producer or production coordinator ready to staff your next Hollywood project, post your project on NeedaCrew and start receiving responses from local Hair Stylists who fit your shoot.
If you are a Hair Stylist based in Hollywood or the Los Angeles area looking for your next gig, join NeedaCrew as a crew member to get discovered by productions actively hiring in your market.