UPDATE!

My son and I auditioned for a movie last month - and we both got roles!

Filming begins mid-February!!!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!


More info on MY BLOG.:D:D:D:D:D

Awesome!!! Congrats!

Congratulations!!! How exciting. I read your blog post. You must be so thrilled :D

Good for you!! :D

News from the entertainment front....

My agency submitted me for a modeling job for the first time (I'd been somewhat reluctant to go that direction), AND I BOOKED THE JOB!

I'm doing some pictures for an internal project for an international marketing agency's Charlotte operations. I'm not exactly sure what all it will entail, but I do know it's being shot in a grocery store. Not exactly Falling Princesses or hanging from a hot air balloon (like my sister, Lauren Brie got to do), but it's paid work and credit.

Also: The movie cast list is posted!

Let me first offer congratulations on your role. There is a lot of good indie work being done. Indie work is a labor of love, often with little reward. Perhaps it will go on to some film festivals or get screened (and earn IMDB credit)! Two of mine have gone to festivals, and a third is being negotiated for release.

Now to my other point - and I thought i had mentioend this before - if you are serious about pursuing acting, your acting head shot needs some work.

Note that my suggestions are for ACTING only. I don't know anything about modeling. It's obvious that you didn't use a head shot photographer, but it's worth the investment (you can probably get decent shots for $150-200 in your area, even less). Your pictures just don't do you justice, and an acting head shot photographer knows how to bring out your best.

Some don'ts:
- No nature or obvious objects in photo
- no "things" in the background - go with a wall/sheet/background with texture and color
- No angles! Straight on. Face is the focal point.
- no body shots unless asked for by a casting director (and usually is a straight-on in plain clothing for specific casting/wardrobe reasons)
- no distracting patterns (the pink dress, the argyle sweater)
- no leaning or holding onto something - makes you look like you can't stand up straight
- no crossing arms - it's off putting. You want to be inviting.
- no white tops - it washes you out
- no B&W shots - makes it look dated. Industry standard is color.
- no sunglasses in the hair. - Hair should be a "good hair day" version of your every day hair
- no one else in the photo
- no "poses"

Some tips for next time:
- Head and shoulders, close up
- Get both theatrical (non smiling) and commercial (smiling) shots
- Wear color in the photo, a color that complements your skin tone and brightens it up
- wear an interesting neckline
- wear a fitted, but not tight, shirt. Casting directors want to be able to see a bit of your body shape, but the fabric shouldn't be pulling or gaping. Avoiding button-downs is a good way to stop that from happening.
- look straight on, not up, down, to the side, over the shoulder, etc.
- LOVE your hair color - that is a standout. Play it up with the right makeup and clothing. Play up your assets!!!
- play up your eyes with natural-looking makeup (mascara is a fair-skin/haired girl's best friend)
- make sure your shirt isn't wrinkled or folding oddly. Pockets can make shirts look lumpy.
- delicate jewelry only (studs, thin chain)
- Smile with your eyes (yes, Tyra has it right). You want to look approachable.

Best of luck with your projects.

Congrats AF!

Re: Headshots

One of these months I'll get to the agency's photographer's* headshot days, but the schedule has never worked out. The guy I used previously has done headshots, but this was pretty thrown-together because I needed them immediately.

Also, on the angle - it's probably not to my advantage to shoot straight on, because I have a lazy eyelid (think Melissa Joan Hart, who also has a lazy eyelid...you don't see many straight on pics of her, and that's why) - it makes one eye appear squinty-er than the other. Straight on only emphasizes this. Most of the time, the photographer has been able to help me with this. I practice in the mirror and with my cell phone camera, but it is very difficult to shoot myself and think about my eye position and the same time. Also, the mirror isn't a lot of help, because the lazy eyelid doesn't appear as severe when it's not captured in still photography.


*The agency's photographer isn't *REALLY* the agency's photographer. He leases his office from the agency, but it's not required to use him or anything. It is a good idea, however, since he does do a ton of work for them, and is knowledgeable about what the industry requires. He's pretty reasonable, too - $125 for one look with makeup artist and hair stylist included.

Congrats! And great pix on the website, your son is to die for!

As for the angles, I was referring to two things:

1. No diagonal framing - like in the full-body shot.
2. And as for "head on", I mean you LOOKING/facing forward. You can tilt your head or rotate slightly, but your head should be facing the camera, and not be looking over your shoulder, or up, or out into the distance. Your eyes should be making contact with the camera.

A quick question - have you interviewed other photographers to know what is "reasonable" in your market? Or did you just go ahead with the photographer that the "agent" suggested? Remember, this is an investment in your career. Casting directors usually won't waste time on amateur shots. At our ages, we can't waste time making rookie mistakes. Agents shouldn't care where you get your shots, as long as they are good ones.

I am not being mean here. Your agent and the photographer who is probably kicking back a % is doing YOU the disservice. If you are going to continue to audition and perform, please save up for a photo session with a better photographer.

If you don't want to take my advice, go to backstage.com, go to the Forums, and put up your head shots in the "Head shot and Resume Forum". There are casting directors and photographers who hang out on the forums and often offer free advice.

For comparison sake, my most recent photographer gives three looks, unlimited background changes, rights to use two shots, and about 2 1/2 hours of time. I think she took between 200-250 shots. I got a discount, but she does this package for $150. Being so far from NYC, you should not be paying $125 for just one look, and especially black and white.

I am offering these suggestions in the same spirit of how we give advice to PNMs. So please don't take it any other way.

She right. Totally. And nowadays most headshots are online. It is a rare thing when you have to bring them with. Black and white hasn't been done in years.

Gotcha - I misunderstood. The funky angles were from a friend's editorial photo shoot. He hired the photographer and came up with the story and directed it all. I just showed up. I didn't pay for those. It works in my modeling portfolio, but has nothing to do with acting.

Yes, I've "comparison shopped" photographers here, and he's not the cheapest, but he is about middle-of-the-road (especially with the included hair/makeup - no one else really does that). And, no, he doesn't get/give kickbacks. Also, you get rights to ALL of your shots from him. He does at least 100 shots per look. And I did say before that the agency doesn't care where your photos come from. They just suggest him because they know that he knows what he's doing, and it saves them time combing through unprofessional shots to help put talent portfolios together.

Re: B&W Headshot - I did the editing on that one. It's not in my "official" portfolio - there are no B&W in my official portfolio. I just happen to like that one.

Audition last night - and I killed it and was offered a part! (More details on the blog)

Yes, it's a ridiculously silly show, however it's a new medium (TV) to practice my skills - and it pays. Not complaining.:D

You are on a roll! Congrats; it is empowering to read about you pursuing your dreams.

This is soooooooooooo awesome! I sing opera, so I'm intrigued when I see inspirational posts like these. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!