Taking Great Headshots

One of the most important resources for an actor is their headshot.  That 8x10 gets you in doors, represents who you are personally and as an actor, and is your CV in the entertainment world.  Since it is such an integral tool for your career, I’ve dedicated this post on how to take a great headshot.

Preparation:

•        Get plenty of rest the night before, and drink plenty of water a few days before.
  
•        No alcohol for at least 3 days prior to your shoot
  
•        Make sure your body is in the shape you want it to be. As long as you can accept and be happy with who you are at the present moment, that is what counts. No one needs perfect triceps for their shoot…I mean…in my dream world. Just know the way you look in the mirror is what you are going to see in your photos.
  
•        Get your hair cut/colored at least a week or two ahead of your shoot. Too perfect hair won’t reflect the real you.
  
•        Pack a small snack bag with almonds, grapes, or whatever snacks give you energy. It may be a long shoot, and you want to keep your energy up.
  
•        Please don’t tan or lay out in the sun.  A sunburn, or Oompa Loompa look don’t fare well.
  
•        Speak with your agent about what looks they may need.  Also browse through breakdowns and see what you typically go out on or book, these are the looks you need to portray in your headshots.
  
•        Confirm appointment with photographer and make sure you have proper directions. You don’t want to be flustered and late trying to find the right street.
  
•        Make sure you have payment for your photographer in whatever method they prefer.
  
•        One trick I love is to come up with a few phrases. Taking still photographs is still like being on film…it just isn’t moving.  Come up with some pretend dialogue- “Arent you going to ask me to prom?” “I love you” “Oh come on!”…whatever. Looking blank in photos will show. Remember you are an actor…do what you do best!
  

 

Your shoot:

•        Breathe…and continue to breathe. I know its kinda akward getting your picture taken, but try to have as much fun as you can! Have fun in  the limelight.
  
•        Communicate at the beginning of the shoot exactly what you want…to make sure you get it all in.
  
•        Bring lots of clothing choices. Solids, bright colors, clean, and pressed. Bring your favorite options, as these will probably make you feel the most comfortable.
  
•        Wear either a pair of leggings or your favorite jeans and bring lots of tops. Wear comfortable shoes (these won’t show anyways…so be comfy!)
  
•        Be clear on instructions as to how you will receive your photographs when they are finished.
  
•        Most photographers will have digital cameras…so ask if you can see what it looks like. Don’t be too critical, but at least it will help you know what you look like on camera in that particular environment.       
  

-       After your shoot:

•     Once you get your pictures, the best thing is to run to the drugstore and print off 4x6s of your favorite shots.  Not all of them, just your favorites (prob 5-10 of each look).  This makes it easier for your agent to see and move the pictures around to get what shots they want.
  
•        After your agent has chosen your shots, make sure to get them uploaded to LaCasting and Breakdown Services ASAP so they can start submitting you with the new pictures. Get your 8x10s printed.
  

 

Common Looks you should Shoot:

Women- Casual (think Gap, Banana Republic)

                Upscale casual (Sex and the City, Night out…but no cleavage)

                Business (think the Office)

 

Men-       Casual (think main stream commercial, Gap, Banana Republic)

                Blue collar (if it applies to you)

                Business (one with tie and one without, younger guys no jackets)

If you want to start off a few shots without shaving and then shave for the later part of the shoot

 

 Photographers I have shot with or recommend:

Dennis Apergis (www.simplyheadshots.com)- Dennis is fun, and makes it a relaxing environment.  Shoots indoors and outdoors. My shots turned out amazing.

Marija Thomas (www.marijathomasphotography.com)- She is amazing!!! Gives great direction, and she is a successful actor who knows what casting directors look for in photos.

Erin Gibson (www.encphotography.com)- Great with comedic and commercial headshots. She is bubbly and makes you feel at ease.

Ken Wood- Very affordable. Shoots in natural light.

Peter Randolph- Many of my friends have shot with him and loved their sessions. Very affordable but great quality.

 

The sacrifices of an actor

A friend sent this to me on Facebook the other day, and I wanted to share it with you:

THE ACTOR 

Actors are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day, actors face the financial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get "real" jobs, and their own fear that they'll never work again. Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every role, they stretch themselves, emotionally and physically, risking criticism and judgement. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predictable milestones of normal life-the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. 

But they stay true to their dream, in spite of the sacrifices. Why? 

Because actors are willing to give their entire lives to a moment-to that line, that laugh, that gesture, or that interpretation that will stir the audience's soul. Actors are beings who have tasted life's nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another's heart. In that instant, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes.

"Unknown Author"

Acting Finance (This is a must read!!!)

I regularly read Ramit Sethi's blog (www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com).  He writes about how to get started managing your money wisely.  This is always tricky I find for actors who usually never have a consistent salary.  I wrote him to ask "What is the best way for actors to cover costs yet still save and invest for the future?".

Most average salaried workers should send 50-60% to fixed costs (like rent, utilities, debt, etc.), 10% to investments, 5-10% to savings, and the rest to spending.  But actors could make a ton one month, nothing for 3 months, and sporadic work in between.  The plan for actors is a bit different.  First, figure out how much you need to pay for the bare bones: rent, food, utilities, loan payments, etc. Once you figure out this dollar amount, your next goal is to save at least 3 months worth of this amount- so you can buffer for the moments when the jobs aren't rolling in.  Any extra money you make should go to this buffer savings account.  Once you have successfully saved your cushion, now you can start investing in a Roth IRA (no contribution is too small!).  There is also something called a Solo 401(k) and SEP IRA for the self employed, which are great alternatives to a traditional large company 401(k).  The rest of your money you can spend on your next vacation, new headshots, or those cute shoes you've been eyeing.  Just keep your spending in check and be sure to pay off your credit card in full every month (Read Ramit's blog on the disastrous effects of not doing so).  Another great budgeting tool for actors is www.youneedabudget.com--it bases spending on last month's salary (since you don't always know what is to come next month!).

Some other tips from Ramit:

- Call your credit card to lower APR or ask what benefits they can offer.  I called mine, and got a fee waived when I missed a payment because I was on vacation and forgot.  A phone call does work!  Also, try calling your bank to eliminate any recent overdraft fee or ATM fee.

- Online banks often have better rates than traditional banks-- may help you reach that "cushion" fund quicker.  Try ING Direct, Emigrant Direct, or HSBC Direct.

- Invest!  Don't wait until later.  If you invest $10/week, in 10 years you'll have approximately $8,136 (based on an 8% average return).  Imagine 20, 30, 40 years more...that's one less lunch or trip to Starbucks a week.

- Automate your money flow to avoid late payments and other fees.  Plus if you automate that $10/week to invest before you see it, you won't miss it.  But you'll be thankful when you retire!

- When trying to curb spending, focus on big ticket items (like eliminating subscriptions, talking to your landlord to lower rent, and getting rid of HBO for your cable bill--how often do you actually watch it?).  This leads to bigger returns than just going to Starbucks less.  Spend on what you value and cut back on what you deem as not necessary.  I spend big on vacations, but I rarely buy new clothes and try to rent movies at the library as well as lowered my rent.

Stand-In 101

The last two weeks, I’ve been a stand-in for a new ABC series (going to be great!).  I wanted to share my experience and how this can be a great job for you.  A stand-in’s purpose is to replace the actor for the tiring process of camera set up and lighting.  It takes a long time and the actor should be getting in character and rehearsing lines

First things first, how do you get selected to be a stand in?  Register with Central Casting (www.centralcasting.org).  They run this town as far as background and stand in work is concerned.  You will go to them, fill out forms, and have a picture taken.  They have a hotline with jobs and sometimes they call you directly.  It also helps to know what actors you can stand in for.  You should be the same height, hair color, general body frame, and skin tone.

Once you are called for a job, they will tell you your call time and location.  Be 15 minutes early so you can allow for parking and walking to the stage.  You should find the 2^nd or 2^nd 2^nd AD (or a PA: production assistant) to check in.  They will give you a voucher (keep this in a safe place).  Then you will go to wardrobe to get “color cover” for the character you are standing in for.  This means wearing a similar colored garment as the actor, so the DP (Director of Photography or Cinematographer) can plan lighting correctly.  I recommend bringing a few selections with you.  You will be more comfortable in your clothing all day than theirs.

Bring a fold up camping chair.  You will most likely be there all day and you need to be close to set.  Bring a book, cards, or any activity you can do silently.  Ask for a call sheet or sides so you know what is being shot in what order, what scenes your character is in and what is happening in that scene.  First, there will be a 1^st team rehearsal (meaning the actors will block the scene).  Pay attention to their movements as you will need to copy those same movements.  Then the A.D. will call 2^nd team.  You should be right by and/or expecting the call.  Never make them ask for you (or you may lose the job).  You are there to help not hinder.  Go to the actor’s mark and they will begin setting camera and lighting.  Once they have everything set, they will call the actors back.  If there have been changes to the actor’s movements, let them know.  Although most times the director will do this…get a feel for the production.  Some actors work very closely with their stand-ins, others never even look at you.

If you do a good job and they call you back for more shoot dates, fantastic!  A PA or AD will “wrap” you.  They will sign off on your voucher (invoice for payment).  Check with wardrobe before you leave to see what the character is wearing the next day so you will be prepared.  Either production or Central Casting will give you a call time.

Stand in work is usually long and tiring but can be great steady work.  You get to meet the cast and crew.  It is a great learning experience about how a set works.  SAG stand in rate is $163/8 and AFTRA rate is $155/8.  After 8 hrs is time and a half and after 12 hrs is double time…so it can certainly add up.  The more you work on different productions and meet the same crew, the more you will be called again.  Remember, LA is a small town so always be pleasant and network, network, network! But most importantly, have fun (not being in a cubicle or taking food orders!).

 

Where should I live?

Los Angeles is a large metropolis and at times frustrating to navigate.  It can be 3 pm with non-moving traffic on the 405, or 3 am with non-moving traffic on the 10.  You just never know.  That being said, traffic will never stop.  It is really important if you want to be an integral participant in the industry to live in a central location.   Auditions happen all over the city…not everything occurs at one building (although that would be awesome!).  Commercial auditions tend to happen in Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Sherman Oaks area.  Theatrical auditions are all over but with a concentration in Hollywood and the Valley where the studios are.  And if you have a voiceover agent, your auditions are at the agency…so plan to be stopping by there a bit as well.  So if you transplant from across the country…where should you live?

Stay within the following areas: Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Century City, Culver City, Encino, Hollywood, Los Feliz, Marina Del Rey, North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Silverlake, Studio City, Van Nuys, Valley Village, Venice, West Hollywood, Westwood

View Los Angeles, CA in a larger map

To find living arrangements, check out craigslist.org or westsiderentals.com. There is a fee for Westside Rentals, but it is worth it. There are a lot of exclusive listings on the site. There is plenty of search criteria you can input on both sites to find the best apartment for you. You can even find roomates. UCLA also has summer housing available if you are coming out for a short summer trip, and many sites offer subletting as well. 

Thank you to Dolphin Talent for bringing me to speak at their LA Experience workshop this past week. What a talented group of young actors! Requests to speak at acting classes or workshops, please email me at tailscalifornia1@gmail.com.

Email

New email address to send questions, comments, and suggestions:

tailscalifornia1@gmail.com