What An Actor Needs In A Headshot

ashleyjane.aus | 10/07/2008 - 12:17

Australia | Actor | Green Room Gossip | Theatrical Photographer

I'm about to get my first set of headshots done, but there are some specifics that I'm not sure of.

Firstly, what is a contact sheet?

Secondly, these 8" x 10" prints that every actor should have, are we supposed to have a whole stack to hand out, or are we supposed to have one to take to auditions but still keep for ourselves?
It sound very expensive to keep handing out these 8" x 10" prints.

Any other information on headshots would be helpful.

Thanks!

rejection

Agents, Agencies and the Union

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We should really write an

Author: Na
Date: 10/07/2008 - 13:27

We should really write an FAQ on this....

(Sorry, don't know the answer, but someone will reply in a min..)

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Puppets in Melbourne

11/07/2008 - 09:25 Tulipa (not verified) Actor's Headshots

Head-ing in a new direction

Author: crgwllms
Date: 15/07/2008 - 20:32

The important thing is that it's a good and CURRENT photo.

Most people have access to pretty good printers these days, and so a decently printed copy of your headshot image can easily be attached or incorporated in your CV. It doesn't need to be photo-quality paper. It just needs to not look shoddy.

A 'contact sheet' or 'proof sheet' was basically a page of printed thumbnails that the photographer would give you after a session. You selected the print or prints you wanted blown up. because it's their livelihood, and they own the copywrite on their own photos (even of you), they usually kept the negatives and you had to pay for extra prints when you wanted them.

In these days of digital images that process has gone by the wayside, although they'll still probably provide you with low-res thumbnails, and charge you for high-res prints.

But most of the time you don't want super-high-res photos, because they take too long to email or upload. If you have a website, put your quality headshot there so casting agents can link to it...but they'll only do that if they're already keen, so when you go to auditions or send in resumes, have clear photocopies (or online, reasonably-sized email photos) attached.

Most screen auditions they'll take a snapshot of you there and then. For theatre auditions, they'll definitely use it to remind themselves of who you were when it comes to call-backs. Make sure it looks like you!

Cheers,
Craig

~<8>-/=====\---------

Headshots

Author: Dave M (not verified)
Date: 30/07/2008 - 15:08

As for the shot itself... don't make the mistake of trying to look like "an actor". Smile warmly and try to look as approachable as possible. The first thing people generally want to know from a headhsot is "Do I want to work with this person?". If you try to look uber-serious and "actory", looking intensely down the lens, you'll likely come across as a bit of a knob, or worse, as someone who is difficult and demanding to work with.

Keep it friendly. Shocked )

25/07/2008 - 00:20 Milton Crippett (not verified) A good shot between the

What An Actor Needs In A Headshot

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