Actor Headshots- What a Starting Actor Needs to Know (Part 2)

Great Actor Headshot Criteria NUMERO UNO (continued from part 1)

How does a Casting Director select actors?  This is very important. Re-read this paragraph several times if necessary!  A Casting Director is looking for a MATCH for specific roles they have to fill.  For example: how does the script describe the character? How does the Director picture this character? What is it that the Producer wants for this character? Last- what does the Casting Director think the character should look and act like based on the prior items.  Of course, the Casting Director may have others that are involved in the decision making process like the network or the studio.

A Casting Director has a group of actors they know and may have worked with directly in the past. However, as an actor just starting out you will be unknown to the Casting Director. Therefore, those headshots of unknown actors actors are scanned by the Casting Directors looking for ideas about the character, inspiration and a match to what they are looking for.  Your headshot needs to catch their eye! Once again it bears repeating – you need to look like you do in your headshot!  They selected the person in the headshot so that is who should walk through the door.  For example- maybe you cut your hair. Or you Photoshopped a few wrinkles so you look way younger- and they were looking for someone older.  The Casting Director will not be happy that you pulled a “bait and switch”   by not looking like your headshot.  They will perceive that you wasted their valuable time because they brought you in for an audition and your are probably not right.  Remember- you need to look like your headshot when you come in for the audition.  

Casting Directors have a lot riding on YOU.  If they do not send the correct actors to the Director/Producers/Studio then it will reflect negatively upon them.  Therefore, they need trust you will hit the ball out of the park as the character. They do not want to take a chance on you – they want a home run!

Great Actor Headshot Criteria NUMERO DOS

Your headshot has to represent YOU!  Your headshot has to not only look like you (numero uno) but is has to represent who you ARE… in other words your vibe or essence.  If you have an edgy personality then you need to look edgy in your headshot. If you have a sweet bubbly personality then a frowning edgy looks is contrary to your essence.

If you do not look like your headshot or your headshot does not represent your essence,the Casting Director may feel like they can trust you.  Of course it will negatively influence their judgement of your performance. You need to learn the rules of the game and become a master of them if you want to succeed Once the Casting Director looses trust in you they will probably never call you back in.

To repeat- do not break the trust relationship before it has even had a chance to start. 1- look like your headshot! 2-accurately represent what you can easily play as an actor.

Great Actor Headshot Criteria NUMERO TRES

Your headshot has to stand out from the crowd – in a positive manner.  It has to break through the noice. While this is touch to do it is non-negotiable.  A great headshot photographer who specializes in headshots is a good place to start.  The lighting, composition and contrast are all important.  A skilled headshot photographer will know how to capture your spirit in the photograph.  However, you need to stand out in your headshot – the RIGHT WAY. Of course you should never use a selfie. You should only use a headshot that was produced by a skilled professional photographer.