Entertainment creating jobs in Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH: Entertainment not only means giving pleasure and delight; it is a big business that, besides boosting the national economy, can create many job opportunities for talented people.

After Ohoud Mohammed, a young Saudi woman obtained a bachelor‘s degree from a local college some three years back, she tried to find a job to earn a living, but all her attempts failed. However, her drawing and painting talent led her to the branch of the Saudi Culture and Arts Association where she was able to join a group of actors and actresses as a makeup artist.

“I am an arts aficionado. I have many artistic works of different types such as oil, charcoal and watercolor painting, and many other old and contemporary art types” Mohammed told Arab News.

She added that her artistic talent was something she had not learned through schooling. “It is a gift of God,” she said.

Mohammed explained that her passion for makeup started a long time ago. She began spattering various colors on her own face as a canvas.

“I started putting waxy substances on my face and would look in the mirror and make changes. Some of my family members liked it and even asked me to apply makeup on their faces. Laughter first prevailed in the family, but I took it seriously and insisted on improving myself,” she said.

“Gradually,” she continued, “it became my job through which I can financially support my family and myself.” The would-be business administrator has now been working as cinematic artist for more than two years.

“I have recently received many requests to work with local acting stars of both genders to apply makeup for them,” Mohammed said.

She is not thinking about joining a higher institute to study makeup as she has no time to do so, but she “will consider that in the future.”

She pointed out that a makeup session for an actor takes her from 30 to 60 minutes, no matter what the character is or how complicated it is. She also added that it really pays.

“It is a good job and is worthy of all efforts I make. I sometimes get nearly SR700 ($186.6) for each makeup session,” she said.

The head of the theater committee at the Jeddah branch of Culture and Arts Association, Bakheet Al-Ameri, told Arab News that there are some 10 female makeup artists who have obtained accredited diplomas from renowned Arab institutes.

“We will organize a competition for Saudi makeup artists once we find a sponsoring company or person. We also need our universities to open up departments specializing in cinematic makeup. There will soon be a great demand for such artists,” Al-Ameri, who is also an actor, said.