THE HEADSHOT SYSTEM CORE
by Bob Fraser
by Bob Fraser
I get lots of email about headshots.
Most actors want to know if the headshot they have is any good.
You know I love mnemonics (a fancy word meaning a system for remembering things).
This is the mnemonic phrase you can use, to keep in mind the PURPOSE of your headshots ... and their critical importance to your acting career results: SYSTEM CORE
You know I love mnemonics (a fancy word meaning a system for remembering things).
This is the mnemonic phrase you can use, to keep in mind the PURPOSE of your headshots ... and their critical importance to your acting career results: SYSTEM CORE
S - SALES - It's of utmost importance to know the MAIN PURPOSE of your headshot:
TO SELL your acting services.
Your headshot can best be described as an unsolicited ad - a piece of paper you send in, that (hopefully) gets a casting director to call you in for an audition.
Bottom line? Your headshot has a job to do - it has to get you in the door. If it doesn't do that job, then your headshot doesn't work. Period.
Your headshot can best be described as an unsolicited ad - a piece of paper you send in, that (hopefully) gets a casting director to call you in for an audition.
Bottom line? Your headshot has a job to do - it has to get you in the door. If it doesn't do that job, then your headshot doesn't work. Period.
Y - YOU - Your headshot must look like you. Many actors, unfortunately, choose headshots that (they think) make them look like stars - or at least someone else. This is a very bad strategy. Why? Because if you are called in - from a headshot that doesn't look like you - you will lose the audition the minute you walk in the door.
Casting directors, directors, and producers go through 100's (and sometimes 1000's) of headshots to find the right 'look' for their project. This is very hard work.
If you are picture-picked and you arrive looking different than the photo they have in their hand, they will be irritated at best, and royally ticked off at worst. You will have gotten in the door by using 'false advertising.' Think about how you feel when you've been tricked in this way.
Not good.
S - SUBMIT - You must submit your headshot and resume if you expect to have any results. You would be shocked to know how many actors get 100's of headshots ... and
6 months later they still have 100's of headshots ...
sitting in their closet.
You must submit for every role you are right for. (Don't submit for EVERYTHING - that's a waste of time and money, because you are not right for EVERYTHING - no matter how talented you may be.) Submit. All the time. Every day, if possible.
6 months later they still have 100's of headshots ...
sitting in their closet.
You must submit for every role you are right for. (Don't submit for EVERYTHING - that's a waste of time and money, because you are not right for EVERYTHING - no matter how talented you may be.) Submit. All the time. Every day, if possible.
If you do this part, the next part is easy:
T - TESTING & TRACKING - The only way to tell whether your headshot works, is to test your results. That means keeping records of your submissions and tracking your 'call-ins.'
Since this is unsolicited advertising, there IS a way of telling how well you are doing. Most advertising gurus say that an unsolicited, direct mail ad, must get at least a 3 to 4% response to be considered effective.
This means that if you send out 100 headshots and you don't get at least 3 or 4 call ins ... you need another headshot.
Always test by keeping track of your submissions. This will save you time, money and wasted energy. The sooner you know the results you are getting, the sooner you can either move on to a new picture - or increase your rate of submission.
Since this is unsolicited advertising, there IS a way of telling how well you are doing. Most advertising gurus say that an unsolicited, direct mail ad, must get at least a 3 to 4% response to be considered effective.
This means that if you send out 100 headshots and you don't get at least 3 or 4 call ins ... you need another headshot.
Always test by keeping track of your submissions. This will save you time, money and wasted energy. The sooner you know the results you are getting, the sooner you can either move on to a new picture - or increase your rate of submission.
E - EDIT - Your headshot can almost always be improved by cropping. This is a process of eliminating parts of the picture that take away from the main purpose of your headshot - selling you. Don't just print up what the photographer hands you. Always take the time to fix your headshot - editing out those things that don't contribute to your goal.
(Side Bar) I have seen, and so have you, a tendency towards pretty or artsy or interesting headshots. An actor at the edge of the picture, a partially lit face, flashy black borders, lots of white space, etc. These are extremely poor strategies. Remember, you are trying to sell your face and physicality. Those elements are the only things the buyers are interested in.
Photographic flare is not only incidental to your desired result - it is often detrimental. Casting directors are not looking to hire the photographer.
What you want is a good, clear, unadulterated picture of yourself - as you really are.
Nothing else will do.
M - MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS - A lot of actors have been told to ask other people which headshot they should use. Unless you have a casting director friend who is willing to help you with your choices - you will probably be getting advice from someone who doesn't know what is important and generally doesn't really care which shot you use.
Pay careful attention to this: YOU know exactly what YOU are trying to accomplish, so YOU are in the best position to know what steps have to be taken, to make that happen.
Let's face it, you are the only one who cares deeply about your business - and leaving critical business decisions up to someone else is a recipe for disaster.
For instance, if you follow someone else's advice and find that the choice does not work, you'll lose both time and money. The money can be replaced - but the time is gone forever.
This is your business. You have to decide things.
Pay careful attention to this: YOU know exactly what YOU are trying to accomplish, so YOU are in the best position to know what steps have to be taken, to make that happen.
Let's face it, you are the only one who cares deeply about your business - and leaving critical business decisions up to someone else is a recipe for disaster.
For instance, if you follow someone else's advice and find that the choice does not work, you'll lose both time and money. The money can be replaced - but the time is gone forever.
This is your business. You have to decide things.
C - COLOR - Digital photography has made this decision (to get color shots or black & white shots) obsolete. Get your shots taken in color and if you happen to need black & white shots (for your particular market), you can get B&W prints made from the digital files.
(Side Bar: In my opinion, the day of the B&W headshot is gone forever,
(Side Bar: In my opinion, the day of the B&W headshot is gone forever,
despite what some people - in some markets - may insist.)
O - OBJECTIVE - When deciding which headshot you should submit, you must make every effort to be objective. This isn't about having a "pretty" picture - or even one that you like - it's ONLY about selling your acting services.
Sometimes, a picture that you don't like is the very picture that gets you called in. Try looking at your pictures from the perspective of the person doing the casting - and make your decisions based on that point of view.
Sometimes, a picture that you don't like is the very picture that gets you called in. Try looking at your pictures from the perspective of the person doing the casting - and make your decisions based on that point of view.
R - RESEARCH - Take the time to do your research before booking with a photographer. Interview, take notes, and make observations BEFORE you pick your photographer. Is it worth doing this homework - when all you really want to do is get going? The simple answer is ... yes.
The choice of a photographer is the first step to getting what you want and need - a headshot that gets you called in. This is about being comfortable, relaxed and in the zone - when getting your picture taken. Your choice of photographer impacts every one of those elements.
E - ENDURE - One of the most important traits any actor can have is the ability to persevere. What this means is try, try again. If your headshot doesn't work (get you called in), guess what? You have to get another one. And if that one doesn't work, you have to get another one.
And another. And another - until you have a headshot that gets you in the door.
If you are concerned about the cost of doing this, then you are thinking about the cost of doing business. That's a good thing. But if the cost is keeping you from doing the things that need to get done ... just know that your business will probably suffer.
And another. And another - until you have a headshot that gets you in the door.
If you are concerned about the cost of doing this, then you are thinking about the cost of doing business. That's a good thing. But if the cost is keeping you from doing the things that need to get done ... just know that your business will probably suffer.
Keep in mind that it is usually only your willingness to persevere (to endure) that gets you to the red carpet, and complaining about what it may cost to get there, won't change anything.
Those who get to the top are those who are ALWAYS willing to try, try again.
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* * * Best Selling Acting Career Course * * *
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Here's what an established actor wrote about You Must Act!
"It may be coincidence, but two weeks after starting to use the principles of You Must Act! I booked the biggest role of my career ... I say 'coincidence' with more than a little bit of sarcasm. I got this role after my agent had submitted me to the casting director and got 'no' for an answer.
and I got the role. Thanks, Bob, for your inspiration - and most of all, for your integrity."
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"Reprinted from THE ACTOR'S TOOL KIT, the email course for subscribers of
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"Reprinted from THE ACTOR'S TOOL KIT, the email course for subscribers of
Show Biz How-To - The Free Actor's Newsletter.
Copyright © 2008 Bob Fraser Productions All Rights Reserved"
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