The Actors Headshot

Headshots that get you in the door have these characteristics:

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.

Laying the Ground Work for a Great Headshot

The Plan

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.

Career Images

Trudyellen has always had a passion for the arts. She studied art history, painting, sculpture and photography throughout high school and later in college.

After leaving college she entered the entertainment industry first as manager for alternative rock group. She then went onto owning and operating a television studio, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she produced a weekly television show called “7 Seas”  for local TV and cable.  

In the early 90’s she found herself managing an art gallery in Georgetown, DC and working as product assistant on a major motion picture called “FOLKS” starring Tom Selleck and Don Ameche.

Today, after leaving a successful career in the corporate world, she has returned to her passion, photography. 

Trudyellen was born in Sydney, Australia and spent her childhood in Switzerland. She moved to America in 1987 and currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida.

Acting Schools, Coaches and Universities In Florida

Chances of succeeding as an actor are greatly enhanced by studying drama at a university or college, or acting classes in studios or conservatories.

 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.

the Business of Acting

Trudyellen has always had a passion for the arts. She studied art history, painting, sculpture and photography throughout high school and later in college.

After leaving college she entered the entertainment industry first as manager for alternative rock group. She then went onto owning and operating a television studio, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she produced a weekly television show called “7 Seas”  for local TV and cable.  

In the early 90’s she found herself managing an art gallery in Georgetown, DC and working as product assistant on a major motion picture called “FOLKS” starring Tom Selleck and Don Ameche.

Today, after leaving a successful career in the corporate world, she has returned to her passion, photography. 

Trudyellen was born in Sydney, Australia and spent her childhood in Switzerland. She moved to America in 1987 and currently resides in Boca Raton, Florida.