making a great impression...the actor's headshot!

okay, had to put up my daughter's headshot...her agent loves this one so much...he told me just last week, "this is what a headshot is all about!"...

a head shot is a close up photo of yourself (or child actor) the you submit along with your resume to agents and managers (if looking for a rep.) and casting directors so they can consider whether or not they want to see your child for an audition...in essence, it is your business card...their first impression of you or your child...

your head shot is many times called an 8 by 10 (8 x 10) which means 8" by 10" which is the industry standard...most markets now want color head shots, but a few places, especially stage in nyc, still will accept and actually enjoy black and white actor's photos...

but remember, wherever you live and in whatever market you'll be submitting for work, there are some "across the board" standards that should be adhered to:

1. make sure you or your child actor looks natural - also, if it's your child who is getting the headshot, make sure they don't have bows in their hair, hats, or too busy of clothing...remember you want them to see your child, not their wardrobe...

2. look directly into the camera...making sure that you have thoughts and feelings going through your mind...or tell your child to think happy thoughts...think about a time that they were having fun...but if the photographer is worth anything, they will direct them and help them emit an appropriate emotion...

3. be friendly, relaxed...smiling (for commercial)...semi-smiling and expressive eyes (for theatrical - film/tv)...

4. make sure whatever you do, remember...this headshot has to make the casting person say, "i'd really like to meet this person!"...

5. make sure the headshot looks like the actor! i can't tell you how many times my daughter introduced me to one of her friends (after i'd seen their headshot online) and i didn't even know it was the same person...makes you feel kind of sorry for casting people...no?

remember, a headshot has two purposes...to get and agent/manager interested in the actor and also to have a casting director call you for an audition...nothing else matters...

i'll continue this tomorrow...
have a smiley day...remember, it lowers blood pressure...LOL (btw, it really does)...
hugs and out~