HEADSHOT
The following was provided by Brian Dragonuk. Brian is a full time actor, model and show host working in the New York, Philadelphia PA, Baltimore MD, Washington DC, Richmond VA & Wilmington NC markets. His website can be found at www.bdragonuk.com
Headshots are one of the most important tools an actor has to get them work. Even an actor that is established in a Casting Directors Office has to keep that office supplied with Current Headshots with up to date Resumes. Many times the Casting Director is working with someone on the Production Side and can't say "This is who I want to use in that part, just think of someone 10 years older than this picture or 25 lbs heavier than this picture"
Traditional Rules say Headshots are an 8X10 Black & White Picture of your Face exactly as you look right now with your wardrobe measurements & resume printed on the back.
Brian Dragonuk posed the questions on this page to the following Washington - Baltimore - Philadelphia area casting directors:
Mike Lemon - Mike Lemon Casting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Diane Heery - Heery Casting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
John Strawbridge - Pat Moran & Associates Baltimore Maryland
Betsy Royall - Betsy Royall Casting Baltimore Maryland
Hillary Sachs & Sareva Racher - Building Blocks Casting Baltimore Maryland
Molly Dedham - Carlyn Davis Casting-Falls Church Virginia
Question?
Over the past few years 3/4 Shots (waist up) have been gaining in popularity as well as color headshots, and even headshots with the top (or side) of the Actors Face Cut off. What Exactly do you look for in a headshot and how does 3/4 Shots, Color, or Artsy photos effect the Actors Chances of getting called in for an audition or even Called to be told they have a job without auditioning for it??
Responce from Diane Heery- Heery Casting Philadelphia
The headshot should LOOK LIKE YOU! It sounds simple, but too many shots come in that are "glamourized" or are 10 years old. Even if people say that your shot still looks good, if it's 5 years old- it's time for new pictures. 3/4, landscape or "head" shot are all good; this allows a little freedom for the actor's own "creativity" with their shot. If it's a little too artsy, it will detract from you and draw our attention to the "Art" of the shot. Color pictures seem to becoming the new trend - the ones that I've seen are very striking. Getting in for an audition depends more on your TALENT than your picture. The picture is just your introduction to casting directors and agents. Sometimes, but not often, an actor may be booked without auditioning, but that would only happen if we could guarantee that the actor in the picture is the actor that will show up for the booking! Most times, only extras are booked from headshots.
Response from John Strawbridge- Pat Moran & Associates Baltimore
There's no question that the most important thing about a headshot is that it look like you. You want to be sure you're called in for roles you're appropriate for, and not for roles you have no chance of getting. That's not something I "look for" - if I don't know you I can't judge that. If I do know you, then a headshot is really just a reminder, and the quality and style are much less important.
What I do look for in a headshot is a sense of who the actor is. I call a headshot the 1/125th of a second Audition. I look at the eyes. Do they project personality, confidence, intelligence? Or do they say "Hurry up and take the picture!" I tend to prefer the 3/4 shots, since they give me a better sense of who the person is and what they look like. But, obviously, most of my work is with standard headshots, and that's fine. I don't care for color shots. They never look quite true. "Artsy" shots are fine... as long as I can still see what you look like, and that artsy is the personality you want to market.
But come down to it, I'm never going to not call someone who might help me fill a role because they have the "wrong" kind of headshot, or call in someone who's wrong for a role because I like the headshot. In fact, the "style" of the headshot seldom has much bearing on whether or not someone gets an audition. That's determined first by the scripts I get -- and what roles they call for -- and secondly by what's on the resume.
Response from Mike Lemon--Mike Lemon Casting Philadelphia
An artsy headshot is about the photographer and your headshot must be about you and look like you do now, but I don't care whether the shot is color or black and white, or up close or 3/4. I do care that I make an instant connection with your headshot and that I see life, energy and intensity in your eyes. With the possible exception of extra work, our staff won't submit an actor's headshot to a client unless they're familiar with their look and their work.
Response from Betsy Royall- Betsy Royall Casting Baltimore
For me as a casting director - a neutral background with a very clean, accurately representational shot. This may be headshot or 3/4 shot. Anything artsy, airbrushed or hair and makeup that is not accurate to your look is useless. Color headshots are not needed and very costly.
Response from Hillary Sachs & Sareva Racher-Building Blocks Casting Baltimore
I have no problem with 3/4 shots as opposed to a headshot. What I need as a Casting Director, is for the picture to be an absolute true representation of the actor. I am not looking for a portrait, I need to know what you look like and who you are. Color photos are not necessary. They are too expensive. Don't spend the extra money
Question??
How Important is it for your office to be able to look at an Actors correct wardrobe measurements on the back of their headshots??? What information do you want to see??
Response from Diane Heery- Heery Casting Philadelphia
Wardrobe measurements are important for some jobs, but keeping them updated can be difficult. The important information is the correct contact info, union status, and of course, experience.
Response from John Strawbridge- Pat Moran & Associates Baltimore
Wardrobe measurements are not important to our office. Height, weight, hair color -- things that we may not know from the headshot alone, are useful but not required.
Response from Betsy Royall- Betsy Royall Casting Baltimore
Weather the information is printed on a talents headshot or on file with us, the most important thing is that YOU UPDATE any fluctuations or changes immediately. This goes for changes in haircut, hair color, weight gain or loss
and tattoos.
Response from Hillary Sachs & Sareva Racher-Building Blocks Casting Baltimore
The only information I need is Union and Guild Affiliation and correct contact information.It is also nice to know an actor's height. As far as anything else is concerned, any other information is not mandatory.It is the actors option to list eye and hair color.
Response from Mike Lemon--Mike Lemon Casting Philadelphia
Height and weight are important and they should be accurate. I wouldn't rely on measurements on a headshot because they tend to fluctuate frequently with most of us. Contact info is, of course, critical. I say of course but it's a common oversight to exclude it. Also, make sure the resume is accurate and honest. If you don't have experience yet, that's okay. Everyone starts somewhere.
Question??
I have been in several of your offices when the Mail is being opened. I have seen envelopes with 10-- 8X10 Headshots & 1-- 8 1/2 x 11 unattached resume, Polaroid's with resumes paper-clipped to them, Headshots without any resumes etc. I understand that several of you accept Snapshots & Polaroid's for Extra work but these were to try to get your office to open a file for them. How Often do you receive these types of Submissions & What do you do with them?? Are there other things you receive from Actors that you wish they would not send you??
Responce from Diane Heery- Heery Casting Philadelphia
Sloppy submissions seem to be becoming more common. Actors should be sure that everything is correct before sealing the envelope. Many times, we've received cover letters addressed to another casting director. Headshots without resumes attached, (or no resumes at all) are usually disposed of. Snapshots are Ok for extra work, but to taken seriously as an actor, you should approach your marketing seriously as well. Unrequested videotapes and/or Vo demos are a waste of the actors' money in mailing and duplication costs - wait until they're requested!
Response from John Strawbridge- Pat Moran & Associates Baltimore
To be considered for principal auditions, you should send an 8x10 headshot with resume attached (at PM+A, we only need one copy). Trim your resume to fit the headshot (I don't care how they do it in LA), and attach it. Do not send us a do-it-yourself kit. Please don't send over-sized shots -- we will cut them down to 8x10, and whatever is lost is lost.
For extra work, pretty much anything goes. Polaroids and snap-shots go onto cards. Larger format photos and resumes are filed on shelves.
Occasionally, someone's resume will indicate a greater degree of experience, even if they just have a Polaroid. If so, I may file them with actors (as opposed to extras)... but it's rare. And when we're starting a new project, even that is better than "waiting until my new headshots are printed". Again, a Casting Director's job is to get the roles cast, and in that spirit whatever works -- works.
Lastly, you MUST include your phone number (or a legitimate agent's number). Do not use our number, or another Casting Director's number. Every day we receive (and discard) HS&R's without contact numbers.
Response from Mike Lemon--Mike Lemon Casting Philadelphia
We usually accept all types of photo submissions for extra work if we're currently working on a project where we need lots of background. For "Jersey Girl," we estimated receiving 30,000 submissions from all over the world. We went through them all and, at the end of filming, we tossed them. We had to rent another room to house them all. Any actor who wants to be taken for a professional will send the right materials.
Response from Betsy Royall- Betsy Royall Casting Baltimore
Submissions should be clean and formatted properly. Resumes should be trimmed to fit and stapled to the back. No pictures over 8X10 should be submitted.
Response from Hillary Sachs & Sareva Racher-Building Blocks Casting Baltimore
First of all, I am a Casting Director not an Agent. Yes, I keep files, I like 8 x 10 pictures with a resume attached. The resume should be stapled to the top blank side of the headshot. I prefer actors do not send Demo Reels unless requested. We cannot take the time to send them back. Again, Don't Waste Money!!
Question??
If someone is just starting out and is looking to do extra work but wants to Grow into bigger & better projects from your office---How important is it to spend a lot of money on a headshot right from the beginning?? Would a Great Snapshot of someone's face made into an 8x10 be just as good to start-- Providing the Actor reinvests in a better Headshot as they start to earn money & they are sure they want to do this type of work??
Responce from Diane Heery- Heery Casting Philadelphia
Everyone has to start somewhere - a good snapshot made into an 8x10 is OK, but unfortunately, first impressions are very lasting. (we're only human!) Be sure that the snap IS a good picture, and of course, that you have the TALENT to back it up!
Response from John Strawbridge- Pat Moran & Associates Baltimore
If you're just starting out, and pursuing extra work, it would definitely be a waste to spend a lot on a headshot. When you get more professional experience, then you want to get a headshot (from an experienced headshot photographer) that represents you in a more professional manner. Again, a "professional" headshot does not automatically mean "expensive" or "New York". You'd probably be surprised if you saw the headshots of the "name" actors who are series regulars or supporting leads in features we cast. They are, more often than not, remarkably simple and plain.
Again, let me say that my concern is filling the role. For instance, last year we needed to cast Russians. Among the people I called in and cast were two guys with headshots, one with a color Xerox, one with a 5x7 B/W photo, and one with just a snap-shot. You do have to make some deliberate and thoughtful choices about your headshot, but don't expect it to make or break your career.
Response from Mike Lemon--Mike Lemon Casting Philadelphia
A great headshot should have the life of a candid, so a great candid works for me. But I realize that's not the case for many offices so I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Besides, a great headshot, including copies, doesn't need to cost $500, not much money to spend on the one major investment an actor makes to go into business. So get a real headshot from an experienced headshot photographer.
Response from Betsy Royall- Betsy Royall Casting Baltimore
For extra work a good snapshot that is made into an 8x10 and professionally submitted is great. Jumping into a headshot to soon can be a mistake. A little experience goes a long way in securing a better headshot.
Response from Hillary Sachs & Sareva Racher-Building Blocks Casting Baltimore
If you are investing time and effort in becoming a working actor, headshots are worth the investment. You need to put your best foot forward from the beginning. A great picture will get a Casting Director's attention.