AHHHH! Huge News (for me)!!

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

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.

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.

[ellebud]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

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.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

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.

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.

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

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.

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.

[AlphaFrog]

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.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

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.

YAY!!!

[33girl]

Congrats, my dear sister!!!

[AlphaFrog]

First day of filming yesterday was awesome! John did great, and I was sooo proud of the little guy.

I got a couple of good behind the scenes pics on my blog: Blog Post about first day of filming.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

First day of filming yesterday was awesome! John did great, and I was sooo proud of the little guy.

I got a couple of good behind the scenes pics on my blog: Blog Post about first day of filming.

Congratulations! Are you on the cast page?