HEADSHOTS
Your headshot is very important. It shows the casting director who you are
on the outside, and if done right, something about you on the inside.
Have a proper headshot professionally done by someone who is experienced
at taking actor headshots. Not a family photographer, not Uncle Fred trying out
his new Nikon, not your high school student photo.
Make sure the photo is current, and looks like you, now. No extensive make-up,
no fancy hats, no touch ups to cover those well earned wrinkles.
If you show up to an audition not looking like your photo, the casting director
will not be happy with you. You were chosen for the audition based at least
partially on that headshot. You may also miss out on auditions because the
casting director may be looking for someone who looks just like you, but you
covered yourself up by using a less than honest photo.
An actor headshot is 8 inches wide by 10 inches tall, has your name clearly printed
on the bottom, and is in color. Your properly formatted resume is to be attached
on the back with four staples, two on top and two on bottom, near the corners,
and stapled from the front. These are industry standards.
Don't try to get fancy trying to get noticed. If your headshot is the wrong size,
wrong orientation, or in black and white, it just may be cast aside as being from
someone who is not professional or familiar with the industry.
Your actor headshot should show you from the shoulders up, filling most of
the picture. Some actor databases, like Breakdown Services, will show an entire
page of headshots for casting directors to browse, and if yours has you set
far back in the photo, they won't be able to see that tiny little picture in that
tiny little spot on their computer screens.
Make sure your photographer uses good lighting, and has nothing
distracting in the background. This time, it is all about you.
Make it personal. Look into the camera, so they can see you looking at them.
Don't block any part of your face by putting your hand on your chin, wearing large
glasses or hats, or letting that long flowing hair cascade over one eye.
It may be a nice art photo, but it's not a headshot.
Most talent agents want to see two different kinds of headshots. One
theatrical (theatre and film), and one commercial (TV commercials, billboards,
print ads, etc.). Theatrical will be a straight, generic look into the camera,
commercial will be a nice, warm smile. Of course, if you're already signed with an
agent and you're looking to update your headshots, ask them what they want.
More to come...