The Casting Website

We recently asked leading photographer Linda Wren to put together a list of criteria for headshot submissions. We're very grateful that she's decided to share her expertise with us. Here's what she had to say.

"The start of any budding actor’s career is so important and it is even more important to have the right tools to make sure you really give it your best shot. So why do so many young actors think that using a picture from on holiday or cutting off the person sat next to them is ok? Your headshot is your most important selling tool. As such, it needs to stand out for all the right reasons and none of the wrong ones. The purpose of a headshot is to showcase that special quality that makes you unique in a natural and straight-forward way.

Every casting you attend they will ask for your headshot first, and most of the time that’s the only thing a casting director has to judge you by. If your headshot isn't good and doesn’t grab their attention, you'll get passed over without a second chance or a second thought.  If that first impression is not right you won’t get to do that all important audition and show your brilliant acting. This is why a good head shot is so vital to any actor.

 A good head shot is one that shows exactly what you look like, and exactly how you will enter a room in a casting, remember it’s not a model shot. A lot of actors make the mistake of thinking you have to look glamorous, with lots of make up and intense expressions. The best head shots are plain, simple and capture the real you, “inviting” the viewer in, this does not mean they are boring at all... They can be interesting and stand out from the others but they need to be “you”.

 A head shot that is needed  for a casting is a 10” x 8” head and shoulders shot. Preferably one in black and white and one in colour. If you have distinctive features use them to your advantage, for example a coloured shot would be good for someone with red hair or an unusual hair colour. A black and white shot is nice to really show focus on eyes and face shape. The best thing to wear is again very plain, nothing dated, no patterns or blocks of different colours, the focus is on your face not how fashionable you are. Take a selection of plain tops, a top with colour is ok too, but back it up with plain tops, black, white, cream, brown.. ECT..

 A lot of actors take head shots for granted, when in fact its one of the most crucial starts to an actors career, the industry sees your head shot before they see you, so make sure you invest in getting a great head shot. Shop around see if you like what the photographer has done with other actors, see if you get the images on a CD, as this is great for re printing as many head shots as you want but also so you can send your head shot as a file. Check if they do touch ups for you and if there are any hidden charges.

Head shots are an investment so make sure you take the time  and get the right ones for you. Please look below at "Clearvision Imagery" a well respected photography company specialising in head shots, for actors at all stages of there career. Have a look on their website  www.clearvisionimagery.co.uk  at  the actors they have shot and also details to book your head shot in.. Massive good luck with you career. Get it started today. 

www.clearvisionimagery.co.uk

Call Cat or Linda for any questions or to book your headshot session on:

07879 491106 or 07719 587292"

In addition to this advice, we've had a lot of submissions lately where the quality of the picture itself is poor or degraded, so if you're taking your own headshots, please make sure the picture is large enough that it won't become blurry or pixelated when enlarged, and please avoid using webcams and camera phones as these often turn out distorted or too dark. Another couple of things that might seem obvious but bear repeating: make sure you're the only person in the photo and that you're dressed appropriately.

Ruth