H    Honest Portrayal of who you are.
E    Expressiveness of character.
A    Accurate representation of who you are.
D    Direct connection with audience.
S    Straight forward and relaxed image.
H    Hypnotic effect on viewer.
O    Open and friendly feeling
T    Targeted toward the intended use.

Headshots are Marketing Tools

I can tell you, again, that your headshot is one of the most important tools for getting work as an actor, but what for, everyone else has told you that by now. Every time you go on a casting: What do they ask you?  Resume and Headshot.

The entertainment business is extremely visual. More than any other profession, your first impression more often than not, is the only impression you get to make. ( Next, Please….)

Your Manager and/or Agent will send out your headshot to potential employers. Your headshot is your first impression. There is no chance to show how talented you are. They see your resume but they look at your picture. VISUAL, VISUAL, VISUAL.

Acting Headshot Types

Traditionally all Headshots where black and white but today you will find that most, if not all, are now color.

New York “Legit”         *Facial Shots*

New York “Legit” headshot is a black & white, 8 by 10 inch, matt or semi-matt borderless print in which your face, relatively unadorned, fills most of the frame. It is usually shot in studio but can be taken outdoors.

LA Style Headshots         *3/4 Body Shots*

“L.A. Style”, which has big white borders, your name just outside the photo area, and more of your body showing in a smaller frame.

Facial Expressions

Dramatic “Legit”
Dramatic shots are focused and intense. Such photos are used for plays, film, and television. There are exceptions where a commercial shot would be used for a play or film based on the character.

Commercial
A commercial shot is usually one where the actor is smiling, open, friendly, and glowing with enthusiasm. These photos are used primarily for commercials.

What are you going to wear for your Headshot?

 What kind of acting jobs are you planning on auditioning for?

What about my hair and make up?

These are a couple of questions that need to be addressed before your heashot photo session.

I like to meet with you a few days before the session for about 45 minutes to discuss what you are looking for in your head shots and to get to know you. The better I understand who you are and what you are trying to achieve in your career the more successful and relaxing the shot will be.

Bring along your old headshots if you have them. If not, don’t worry. If you have seen other headshots that you like bring them along.  (Not Glamour Shots)

There are different styles to choose from when picking a headshot. The most common headshots are ¾ shots showing your face and your upper body, and regular headshots where the focus in only on your face.  Both are perfectly acceptable.  Commercial headshots are usually smiley and upbeat, showing a lot of personality and energy.  But, portray your type.  If you will most likely be cast as the mean, bully, you don’t want a photo of you showing your pearly whites. You only need one good headshot, but some people prefer to have 2: one more dramatic and one more comedic.

What am I going to wear? What’s your look and type? Two things to consider when choosing what to wear in your headshot:
1.) What type of actor are you? Character, Leading, Support etc.
2.) What type of parts are you going after? Theatrical, Commercial, Industrial

 We want to focus on your eyes and not be distracted by your clothing. I would like to see you in a solid colored shirt (very dark or very light) with an interesting neck line and maybe a textured finish to the fabric.

There shouldn’t be any logo’s or slogans on the shirts. Skirt, Slacks and Trousers should be of a dark color and plain but stylish.

You will need to be comfortable in the clothing. We will talk about what to wear in our pre-session.

Remember your headshot is your marketing/sales tool.

 How should I wear my hair and makeup to the session?

Clients are responsible for their own make-up and hair. You can have your makeup and hair done before you arrive or you can have the makeup artist come to the shoot. It is up to you, just let me know. I can arrange for a makeup artist to be at the shoot. Come with your hair done like you would for an audition.
Normally make-up artist charge by the hour from anywhere between $35.00 – 150.00.

Be sure to get plenty of sleep the night before and have any haircuts done a few days before.
 

Stay out of the sun, if you want to have a tan look use tanning products, not the real thing because in photos the skin can appear uneven and blotchy.

Makeup Tips  – How to Apply Makeup for Photographs
To look your best in photographs, relax, smile and follow some simple makeup tips.

Steps
1. Make sure your foundation is yellow-toned (this applies for all ethnic backgrounds).
2. If you are African-American, it’s a good idea to have light, medium and dark shades of foundation to allow for different gradations of color on different parts of your face.
3. Use the right color blush so as not to look washed out. Layer natural color first, and make it “pop” with a brighter color on top.
4. Define your eyes with shadow, but avoid dark colors on the lid – they make the eyes recede. Add mascara, but don’t overdo it.
5. Choose deeper or brighter colors for strong lighting. Soft lighting, or daylight, requires less intense colors.
6. Apply makeup that works with your style. Don’t put on a lot of it for more effect, but instead use more color and a bit more definition.
7. Avoid dark liner, extremely glossy lips, shimmery or bright shadows, and foundation and powder that’s too pale.
8. Use good definition – e.g., careful lining of the lips and eyes – for black-and-white photographs.

Alexa Model & Talent

4100 W Kennedy Blvd. Suite 228 , Tampa FL 33609

Tel: (813)289-8020

http://www.alexamodels.com/

Alliance Talent Group, Inc.

1940 Harrison Street Suite 300 , Hollywood FL 33020

Tel: (954)927-0072

Arthur Arthur (Miami) Inc.

South Hillsborough Office Comp 6542 US Hwy 41 North Suite 205-A , Apollo Beach FL 33572

Tel: (813)645-9700

http://www.arthurarthur.com

Azuree Talent, Inc

1115 Kentucky Avenue , Winter Park FL 32789

Tel: (407)629-5025

Bell, Sandi Talent Agency

2582 S. Maguire Road Suite 171 , Ocoee FL 34761

Tel: (407)445-9221

Benz Model-Talent Agency

1320 6th Avenue East , Tampa FL 33605

Tel: (813)242-4400

Berg Talent & Model Agency

15908 Eagle River Way , Tampa FL 33624

Tel: (813)877-5533

Boca Talent and Model Agency

829 SE 9th Street , Deerfield Beach FL 33441

Tel: (954)428-4677

Brevard Talent Group, Inc

906 Pinetree Drive , Indian Harbour Beach FL 32937

Tel: (321)773-1355

Central Florida Talent, Inc.

2601 Wells Avenue, Suite 181 , Fern Park FL 32730

Tel: (407)830-9226

Christensen Group, The

4395 St. Johns Parkway , Sanford FL 32771

Tel: (407)302-2272

Coconut Grove Talent Agency

3525 Vista Court , Coconut Grove FL 33133

Tel: (305)858-3002

Diamond Agency, Inc. The

The Historic District 204 W. Bay Avenue , Longwood FL 32750

Tel: (407)830-4040

Dimensions 3 Modeling

5205 S Orange Avenue Suite 209 , Orlando FL 32809

Tel: (407)851-2575

Famous Faces Ent Co

3780 SW 30th Avenue , Fort Lauderdale FL 33312

Tel: (954)321-8883

Florida Stars Model & Talent

1020 NW 23rd Avenue Suite A , Gainesville FL 32609

Tel: (352)338-1086

Green Agency, Inc.

1329 Alton Road , Miami Beach FL 33139

Tel: (305)532-9225

Hurt Agency Inc., The

400 N New York Avenue Suite #207 , Winter Park FL 32789

Tel: (407)740-5700

In Any Event

140 S. Atlantic Avenue 5th Floor , Ormond Beach FL 32176

Tel: (386)676-2223

International Artists Group, Inc.

2121 North Bayshore Drive Suite 2E , Miami FL 33137

Tel: (305)576-0001

Louise’s People Model & Talent Agency

863 13th Avenue North , Saint Petersburg FL 33701

Tel: (727)823-7828

Marie, Irene Agency

728 Ocean Drive , Miami Beach FL 33139

Tel: (305)672-2929

Martin & Donalds Talent Agency, Inc.

2131 Hollywood Boulevard, #308 , Hollywood FL 33020

Tel: (954)921-2427

McMillan Talent Agency, Roxanne

12100 NE 16th Avenue Suite #106 , Miami FL 33161

Tel: (305)899-9150

Outlook Orlando, Inc.

851 West State Road 436 Suite 1057 , Altamonte Springs FL 32714

Tel: (407)788-6400

Parkes Models, Page

763 Collins Avenue 4th Floor , Miami Beach, FL 33139-6215

Tel: (305)672-4869

Polan Talent Agency, Marion

10 NE 11th Avenue , Fort Lauderdale FL 33301

Tel: (954)525-8351

Runways, The Talent Group Inc.

1688 Meridian Avenue Suite 500 , Miami Beach FL 33139

Tel: (305)538-3529

Stellar Talent Agency

407 Lincoln Road Suite 2K , Miami Beach FL 33139

Tel: (305)672-2217

Stewart’s Modeling, Evelyn

911 Samy Drive , Tampa FL 33613

Tel: (813)968-1441

Wilhelmina-Miami

927 Lincoln Road Suite 200 , Miami Beach FL 33139

Tel: (305)672-9344

World of Kids Inc.

1460 Ocean Drive Suite 205 , Miami Beach FL 33139

Tel: (305)672-5437

Casting Society of America      www.castingsociety.com

CSA is an organization of professional Casting Directors from all fields: feature films, television and theatre. Their goal is to provide a standard and level of professionalism within their field on which the entertainment community can rely.

General Casting / Auditions Notices Florida

Florida Acting Webzine            http://www.floridaacting.com/Auditions.htm

Florida Blue Sheet        http://members.tripod.com/bluesheet/id26.htm

Play Bill            http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/

Back Stage “Online”     http://www.backstage.com/backstage/casting/index.jsp

Creative Work Shops   http://www.creativeworkshops.com/cast_main.htm

FloridaTalent.com         http://flatalent.com/promo/casting.html

Craigslist.org Florida     http://miami.craigslist.org/mda/

Casting Directors

Tom Webb Casting, 401 North Atlantic Avenue, Suite B9, Cape Canaveral, 32920,

Brad Davis Casting, PO Box 220738, Hollywood, 33022,

The Casting Crew Inc., 1948 Tyler St., Hollywood, 33020,

Beverly Mc Dermott, 923 N. Golf Dr., Hollywood, 33021,

Coastal Casting, 5800 Beach Blvd. #203-236, Jacksonville, 32207,

Casting International, 300 Biscayne Blvd. Way, Suite 1150, Miami, 33131,

Connelly / Legge Casting, 13964 SW 151 Lane, Miami, 33186,

Marquee Entertainment Casting, 9705 NE 2 Ave., Miami, 33138,

Trio Trading, 3899 NW 7th Street #208, Miami, 33126,

Peggi Mckinley, 7355 NW 41st Street, Miami, 33166,

Jock Mitchell, 9703 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, 33138,

Diprima Casting, 1688 Meridian Avenue, #418, Miami Beach, 33139,

Unique Casting Company Inc., 1613 Alton Road, Miami Beach, 33139,

T.R. Durphy Casting, 12100 NE 16th Ave. # 110, North Miami, 33161,

The Casting Directors Inc, 742 NE 125th St. , North Miami, 33161,

Hollywood Casting Group, 12100 NE 16th Avenue Suite 210, North Miami, 33161,

Wyman Casting , 16499 NE 19th Avenue. Suite. 203, North Miami Beach, 33162,

Bob Kahn Casting, PO Box 593763, Orlando, 32859,

Melvin Johnson & Associates, 1000 Universal City Plaza Rm 131 Bldg 22A, Orlando, 32819,

Pati Robinson, 7081 Grand National Drive Suite #112, Orlando, 32819,

Independent Castings Inc., 8313 W. Hillsborough Ave. Bldg. 4, Tampa, 33615,

Lillian Gordon Casting, 13103 Forest Hills Dr., Tampa, 33612,

Out of State Casting Notices

OnStage           http://www.onstage.org/onaudit.htm

Actorauditions.com       http://www.actorsauditions.com/notices.cfm

Employnow.com           http://www.employnow.com/castingc.htm

Normally an interesting selection of opportunities from Las Vegas Show Girls to low budget horror movies. But a site not to over look                     

The Acting Depot         http://www.actingdepot.com/audition.htm

Members have access to audition notices in the United States as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain.

Backtoholding              http://www.backtoholding.com/castinghotlines.htm

Listings updated often not just Ca, NY listing but also other markets like PA and Florida etc.

NY Casting.com           http://www.nycastings.com/castings2.htm

Castingyou.com            http://www.castingyou.com

Actors News    http://actornews.com/

Actors Northwest         http://actorsnw.com

Aftra’s Showsheet         http://www.aftra.com/la/diallog/showsheet.html

Americfilm Casting        http://www.amerifilmcasting.com

Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts      http://www.atlantaperforms.com

Break Down Services   http://www.breakdownservices.com

Actors Equity   http://web.actorsequity.org/CastingSearch

Chicago Actors            http://www.chicagoactors.com/f_corkboard.htm

eperformer       http://www.eperformer.com/aud/index.html

Theatre Department Broward Community College

Broward On Broadway

Broward Stage Door Theater Company

City Of Sunrise Civic Center Theatre

City Theatre

Coral Springs Center For The Arts

Curtain Call Playhouse Inc

Dillard Center For The Arts

East Broward Family Ymca

Edge Theatre

Fantasy Theatre Factory

Florida Atlantic University Sociology Forum

Footlights Inc

Fort Lauderdale Childrens Theatre Inc

Golden Thespians

Hollywood Beach Theater

Hollywood Boulevard Theatre

Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center

Hollywood Playhouse

Lumonics Night Light

Manatee Hee Inc

Mimic Theatre Company Inc

Mosaic Theatre

New River Mime Troupe Mermaids For Manatees

On The Boards Theatre Company

Public Theatre Of South Florida Inc

Punch 59

Sol Theatre Project Inc

Stage Doors 26th Street Theater

Standing Room Only Productions Inc

Story Theatre Productions Inc

The Acting Studio Stage Company

The Imagine Stage Company

The Township Center For The Performing Arts

The Women’s Theatre Project

White Willis Theater

Young Circle Park And Amphitheater

 University Degree Programs and Schools

Florida Atlantic University                   http://www.fau.edu/theatre/

The Acting School Of South Florida   http://www.theactingschool.org/

Private Acting Coaches

 Wayne LeGette      http://waynelegette.com/actingcoach.html

Carolyn SeRine      http://www.minimalistfilmschool.com/

Acting Schools and Programs for Children

 Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theater        http://www.flct.org/

Film Schools

Palm Beach Film School        http://www.palmbeachfilmschool.com

The site has been put together as a road map to acting in Florida. It’s a guide to information sources and organizations that are involved in the entertainment industry in Florida. A lot of these links can be found on other sites, however I had a hard time figuring out what was what. Most times they are found in a long list format with no structure and headings. Thus, whilst traveling the net in search of information about acting, I put together these pages of resources. I hope they are helpful to you.

The site is a free resource. Some of the site listed here do charge a membership fee to view content. These sites are marked with pay to view icon next to them. Other sites list actor resources, when these resources are paid advertisements these sites are marked with a paid resource icon next to them. 

I would like you to think of it as a point in the right direction. I recommend that you read, read and read some more and then make your own conclusions as to what is the best way for you to pursue your career as an actor.