The Best Types of Headshots That Most Actors Take Advantage Of

Different Types of Headshots for Actors

     A headshot is an essential marketing tool for actors. It is an 8 x 10 photograph, used to help secure acting work, representation or auditions. Actors, or their representatives, submit these photographs to casting directors, agents and other industry professionals in the hopes that opportunities will arise for the actor.

    Beginning actors may want to stick with traditional headshots—headshots that are simple, black-and-white, and friendly. However, advanced actors may want to use a headshot that more closely follows their career path.

    There are several forms of headshots that break away from the basic, traditional headshot. Among these headshots are the commercial headshot, the theatrical headshot and the composite.

Composites

    A composite is a collection of photographs or images that are collectively placed on a single 8×10 sheet. A composite allows the actor to display different looks and facial expressions. For example, in one image, the actor may be professional, depicting a lawyer or business person. And, in another image, the actor may look like a family man, dressing in a simple shirt and jeans.

    This collection of different appearances shows the actor’s range and ability. It demonstrates how successfully the actor can pull off different looks or character depictions. This expands the actors work opportunities.

Commercial Headshots

    A commercial headshot is a headshot that actors specifically use to get acting jobs in television commercials. As such, commercial headshots depict an actor in the same manner as actors usually appear in commercials. In a typical commercial, actors are usually smiling and happy, bubbling over with joy as they attempt to sell an advertiser’s product. An actor who regularly performs in commercials must be able to be warm, friendly, inviting, interesting, funny and cheerful. Therefore, a commercial headshot must be all those things, too.
    In many cases, a composite may be used as a commercial headshot. That’s because, as mentioned above, a composite allows the actor to display many different looks. This allows the actor to have more potential opportunities. For instance, on the actor’s composite card, he might have a sporty, athletic look and a business professional look. These images may help him land a commercial for Nike and a commercial for Men’s Warehouse, all done by using the different looks on a single composite card.   

Theatrical Headshots

    A theatrical headshot is a headshot that actors use to obtain acting jobs in theatre or theatrical productions. The difference between a theatrical headshot and, say, a commercial headshot is the focus. Whereas a standard headshot may depict the actor as a regular person, warm and friendly, a theatrical headshot may zero-in on a specific quality or character that the actor is good at portraying. For example, an actor may be great at portraying the shy, quiet type. So, the actor may get a theatrical headshot that portrays the actor looking shy and quiet. The actor is able to use the headshot to go after theatrical roles that require an actor who can portray a shy, quiet, introverted person.

    Actors should always consult their talent agents before they spend any money getting headshots. But most importantly, actors should review their career goals to determine which kind of headshot and marketing program will work best for them.

For more information, log on at www.actingmagazine.com/2009/12/Types-Of-Headshots-For-Actors.html

 

Becoming an actor requires taking a variety of acting classes and getting an acting coach, headshots and a resume. Achieve the desired look, image and character type in acting with tips from a professional actress and acting coach in this free video on acting. Expert: Athena Reich Contact: www.athenareich.com Bio: Athena Reich is a professional musician, actress, artist, singer, songwriter and coach for all of the above. Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Video Rating: 3 / 5

More Become And Actor Articles

Simon Baker to become highest paid US TV actor
Simon Baker is set to become the highest paid actor on American television having signed a new deal that will pay him an estimated £280,000 for each episode of The Mentalist.
Read more on Daily Telegraph

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 29, 2005

Australian actors learn to follow in the footsteps of Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Naomi Watts. TVI Actors Studio, America’s largest acting school and resource center for actors, returns to Australia July 9 through 12 to teach Australian actors how to market themselves in America. TVI Chief Executive Officer and former agent to Hollywood stars, Alan Nusbaum will present a multi-media presentation, “The Business of Acting in the States” in Sydney on July 9 and Melbourne on July 11 and 12.

“Australian actors are so curious about how to make it in America.” Nusbaum states, “I will teach them how to take control of their own careers and become ‘actor-preneurs,’ actors that are entrepreneurial about their careers.”

Nusbaum has been teaching internationally in the UK and Europe for several years and has recently branched out to include Australia and New Zealand. He created TVI after representing several Hollywood stars such as Sandra Bullock, Courtney Cox, Jerry Orbach, and Tonya Pinkens. “There was a clear need for actors to learn how to manage their career and run it like a business. Most actors come from an artistic background and rarely have business know-how.”

“Actors will leave this class with the knowledge and insight necessary for a successful career in America,” explains Nusbaum, “More importantly, they will be able to apply the same business managerial and self-marketing skills at home in Australia.”

About TVI: TVI Actors Studio, www.tvistudios.com is an educational partner of the American Theatre College Festival and the Kennedy Center in New York. Famous alumni include Eva Longoria, Mena Suvari, Rachel Dratsch and more. Learn more about Alan Nusbaum at his Weblog www.actor-preneur.com. To register for the classes go to www.tvistudios.com/australia.

Class Schedule:

Sydney: Saturday, July 9, 2:00 pm registration, 2:30 class at the University of Sidney Quadrangle Building, The Refectory

Melbourne: Monday, July 11, 6:30 pm registration, 7:00 pm class at TAFTA, Rear 430 Waverley Road, East Malvern    

Tuesday, July 12, 6:30 pm registration, 7:00 pm class at University of Melbourne, James Hardie Theatre, Architecture Building

Interviews with Mr. Nusbaum and photos available upon request.

Contact:

Susan Sleeper

TVI Actors Studio

001.212-302-1900

# # #