Things You Must Know About Acting Headshots
In the exciting world of aspiring actors, acting headshots play a super important role. These cool pictures are like the first step for Casting Directors, Directors, Writers, and Producers to decide if you’d be a good fit for a role. This article will tell you all about acting headshots, why they’re so important, how to take the perfect picture, and the things you should and shouldn’t do when putting together a great resume. We’ll talk about stuff like lighting and posing and even how to make an awesome resume. So get ready because we’re going on a fun journey to become masters of acting headshots! Let’s go!
Acting Headshots: What You Need To Know
1. WHY ARE HEADSHOTS IMPORTANT IN ACTING?
If you want to become an actor in big cities like New York City or Los Angeles, you’ve probably heard the term “acting headshot” a lot. But what exactly are acting headshots? Well, they’re simply close-up photos of your face. Casting Directors, Directors, Writers, and Producers use these pictures to quickly decide if you’re a good fit for a role or character. Acting headshots are super important in the acting world because they help people in charge of casting make decisions about who gets to play which parts. So, if you’re serious about acting, make sure you have some great acting headshots!
Your acting headshot is made up of two things: a close-up picture of you that’s 8X10 in size and a list of your work credits, which is like a resume. The type of photo you use depends on the kind of acting job you want, like for TV, movies, commercials, or theater. Some directors like black-and-white photos, while others prefer color. It’s a good idea to have both because color copies are affordable. So, having both options gives you more choices.
2. HOW TO TAKE YOUR HEADSHOT?
When it comes to getting acting headshots, it’s important to get them done right. It would be best if you never tried to take your picture or ask your friends to do it. Instead, always go to a professional headshot photographer. If you happen to have a friend who is a professional photographer, then you can ask them for help. The reason you need a professional is because they know how to capture you in the best light possible. They use special lighting techniques that make your photos look amazing. It’s really important to have good lighting because bad lighting can make your photos look bad and ruin your chances. Now, I know you might be thinking that hiring a professional photographer will cost a lot of money, but that’s not always the case. There are plenty of well-qualified photographers who can take a great quality photo for around $200 or more. So, don’t worry if you don’t have a friend who can do it for free. Just find a good photographer and you’ll be all set!
Have A Professional Photographer For Your Acting Headshots
When it comes to getting acting headshots, it’s really important to find a photographer who specializes in that. You might not have friends who are photographers, but they might know someone who is! It’s always better to get a referral from someone you trust instead of hiring a random person online. Plus, there are some people out there who pretend to be photographers but just want to take advantage of new actors like you. So it’s much better to find someone with a good reputation and lots of previous work to show you. That way, you can be sure you’re getting the best headshots for your acting career!
The Perfect Pose And Facial Expression For Your Acting Headshots
Another important thing for your headshot is your pose. It would be best if you chose a pose that clearly depicts your personality. People should be able to know the person you are just by looking at your headshot. For example, if you are a comedic actor, you should smile. But it would be best if you never had a pose that makes you look too silly. You want the Casting Director to know who you are on screen but also that you’re a professional first and foremost. Here are tips on how to get the perfect actor headshots.
Having different versions of your acting headshots is great! It would be best if you had options for different projects and to grow in the roles you’re cast for. But don’t go overboard with too many versions, as that can do more harm than good! Please keep it simple by wearing solid colors and having a simple background. This way, Casting Directors can focus on your face without distractions. It’s also a good idea to have your name on the picture, preferably at the bottom where the agency info is written. It’s not required, but it helps if your resume gets separated. That way, they can still contact you. So remember, different versions, simple backgrounds, and your name on the picture are important for your acting headshots!
Printing Format For Your Acting Headshots
So, how should I print my headshot? Should it be matte, glossy, or a carbon copy? The answer is up to you. Whatever you like, it is your personal preference. It really doesn’t matter to them. What matters to them is you should look like how you look. So many actors and actresses come in with 20-year-old pictures of them trying to pull off the look. They don’t realize how easy it is to spot the difference. Remember, always be up to date with your photos. If you have gained some weight or lost some weight, redo your photographs. The Casting Directors will eventually know how you look when you meet them, so it is not a good idea to try to deceive them.
3. HOW TO CREATE YOUR RESUME OR LIST OF CREDITS?
Many actors think it’s important to have a long list of acting experiences on their resume, even if some of them aren’t true. But here’s the thing: pretending to have experience won’t actually help you. When you say you’re a good actor with experience, the people you’re auditioning for will figure out the truth pretty quickly. And if you mention a bunch of amateur acting experiences, it doesn’t look good either. They might think you thought those were important to mention, but they’re not. Oh, and don’t forget to get some awesome acting headshots, too! They’re important for your career. Just make sure not to mention them too often, about once every 100 words or so.
Remember, the only genuine credits are Stage, TV or Film. Try also to limit these credits to feature or lead roles. Unless you have just graduated from college, nobody cares if you had a lead role in your school play or if you were in the background of a crowd scene. So, always keep your resume or list of credits as real as possible, and avoid exaggerating wherever possible.
4. WHAT IS THE FORMAT?
When you create your acting headshots, it’s important to include a list of your work credits. You can either print or staple this list on the back of your headshot, with your resume facing out. This way, it’s easy for a Casting Director to flip over your headshot and see your resume or list of credits. Casting Directors look through many headshots every week, so it’s crucial to follow industry standards while making your headshot stand out. Remember to include the keyword “acting headshots” in your content at a density of 1.5%.
5. FINAL THOUGHTS
So, when it comes to being an actor, having great acting chops is important. But you know what’s even more important? Your acting headshots! These are like your first impression to casting directors. They check out your headshots first before considering your acting skills. Don’t worry if it takes a while to get auditions though. Casting is not just about your headshots or acting skills. It also depends on different things like demographics and specific roles they’re looking for. Just let them know you’re ready for your close-up! Remember, acting headshots are key!
Contact Zen Studios LA!
If you want to have the best acting headshot, look no further than Zen Studios LA! We have a team of expert photographers who specialize in capturing amazing acting headshots. They will guide you throughout the session to ensure you get the perfect headshot you are looking for. So, why wait? Give us a call today, and let’s create a fantastic acting headshot together!
