The life of an actor is a competitive one; your talents and appearance are compared to thousands of other actors vying for the same role. It starts with your headshot falling into the hands of the casting agent and making a good first impression, or at least standing out in some way among the rest.
Bring emotion, personality and YOU into the headshot
Your headshot should not be a façade; the portrait should represent who you are as an individual and portray exactly what a casting director will get if they were to hire you. As they are flipping through the surplus of headshots that have been submitted, they are trying to place you into their vision, so the last thing you want is to show up at your audition looking nothing like your photo.
Rehearse your headshot at home just as you would lines for a role
Whether you are just getting started or are an experienced actor, you should already know that appearance weighs heavily in the film industry. Practice various poses and facial expressions prior to your photoshoot. This rehearsal will not only make you better prepared for the camera, but it will also make you more confident in your emotions that will be portrayed through your photo to the casting director.
Consider your typecast
If you do not know the type of role you thrive in or seem to be repeatedly given, your headshot will inevitably determine that. It is the job of a casting director to look at a headshot and immediately determine your age, attractiveness, societal role, and other personality traits. So, as you practice those expressions in the mirror, stay honest with yourself and try not to turn a clearly lovable nerd into a tough guy.
Headshots are one of the most valuable assets to actors looking for that breakthrough role and that’s why it’s essential that they are the best pictures money can buy. Many actors have come to me for their headshots through recommendations from several casting agencies throughout Dallas, Texas and have gone onto ace their auditions. Give me a call at 214-394-1384 today to learn more about working together!
It’s interesting to know that the headshot can help a director immediately tell if the actor is the right fit for the role. I can imagine how important it would be to really showcase yourself in a single photo to show that you should be cast into the film. Starting actors should know about this to really get the roles they are auditioning for and land a big break as soon as possible.