Are Headshots your “Golden Ticket”?

Photos by Professional Headshot Photographer in LA:  Vanie Poyey

Guest Blog by Kathy L. Young

© Erin Sullivan

Talent Manager and Career Coach Kathy L. Young has a passion for educating and leading the next generation of actors to industry success. She opened the doors of “Actor’s Classroom” to help actors who are beginning or refreshing their careers. Her unique, personalized management style benefits her actors which receive an individualized plan for their success. Kathy’s students have appeared on all major prime time and cable networks and have booked over 50 SAG national and regional commercials.

“In  the classic movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and his Grandpa Jo sing,
”Cause I’ve got a golden ticket
I’ve got a golden chance to make my way
And with a golden ticket, it’s a golden day”

As a talent manager and career coach, I find that many actors are searching for the “golden ticket” to career success.  As I have spent time with actors, I have come to understand and relate to their thought process–”If I get new headshots, then I will find a new agent. If I get better headshots, then I will go out on better auditions.” And if I have great headshots, then I will book a great job.”

Because my desire is for each of my actors to be successful, I teach them that focusing on headshots alone is the “golden ticket mentality”. Tragically, I have seen this mentality only lead to disappointment and frustration. I instead educate them on all three components of a successful career: Marketing, Training and Representation.  Because headshots only fall within the marketing component, an actor should ask themselves these questions to include all components:
1) Is my resume up-to-date and formatted in a professional way to best market myself?

2) Am I currently enrolled in consistent and beneficial acting training?

3) Am I building up my career team who is advising me on my type/look/essences?

4) Am I auditioning on a regular basis ?
Overall, actors should always utilize these questions before proceeding with any career decisions. By answering these questions, actors will have a more well-rounded view of their career and path to success and ultimately avoid the trap of the “golden ticket mentality.”

For more sound advise, Kathy can be reached via email at coach4crossroads@yahoo.com

If you’ve fallen into the trap of the “Golden Ticket Mentality”, share your thoughts here and share this post!

 

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Do you know what you’re selling?

Headshot Photography & blog by Vanie Poyey

Or do you try to figure out what others want to buy and conform to become attractive to them?

Last month I had two clients both just getting their feet wet and both a little unclear about what Hollywood wants.  Alexandra thought that she should hide her tattoos and Michelle thought that she should get all the popular looks agents typically ask for.

My advise to Alexandra was to show her tattoos because there is a place for her as the girl with tattoos.  Undoubtedly there will come along a roll that requires she walk in the door looking edgy.

As for Michelle, my advise was to capitalize on her stereotype and to get specific instead of broadening her range with looks that don’t represent her.

Remember the one quality that is unique to you is you.  Instead of trying to figure how you can fit in and be like everyone else, try being yourself and you will fit in.  If you have tattoos, don’t hide them, embrace them.  Capitalize on your look and on who you are!  Once you realize that what you’re selling is you and not what you think Hollywood wants to buy, you will have taken a very important step towards confidence and confidence always sells well!

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Getting the right shot is actually a piece of cake.

Headshot Photography by Vanie Poyey

Blog by guest blogger Dallas Travers.

Creative Career Coach Dallas Travers has helped thousands of actors to increase their auditions, produce their own projects, secure representation and book roles in film and television. Her award winning book, The Tao of Show Business: How to Pursue Your Dream Without Losing Your Mind won first prize in the “How To” category at the 2009 Hollywood Book Festival.  Her vision and advise is very much in line with mine!  Hope you enjoy and If you like this post, you can read further about the “Four Tracks to Increase Your Auditions, Even If You Don’t Have an Agent”.

“Every actor understands the importance of a great headshot. A simple 8×10 picture can open a lot of doors for you if utilized correctly. Your headshot must represent the real you while showcasing your unique castability. That’s a lot of responsibility for one tiny photograph.

Knowing the importance of a headshot, it’s easy to over think things. You can spend a lot of time exploring your essence, how others perceive you, your best angles, colors and outfits. Shooting new headshots is a pretty big deal, but it doesn’t have to be an arduous, painful process.

I’ve identified six simple steps to help you finally capture your dream headshots. By following this easy plan, you’ll discover that getting the right shot is actually a piece of cake.

Step 1: Draw character parallels.

Make a list of 5-12 specific performances you have seen that resonate with you. These don’t have to be actors who look like you. They don’t have to be of your gender. They don’t even need to be contemporary. Just make a list of five. After you’ve made that list, describe each performance with one or two adjectives.

Step 2: Select your power adjectives.

Looking at your list of adjectives, select the top two to four that best represent the list as a whole. I call this process “nutshelling.”

Perhaps you might select the following adjectives: vulnerable, endearing, and quietly powerful. Keep these words in mind and visualize an image of a person who possesses all of these qualities.

Step 3: Create Your Characters.

Use these adjectives to help create three specific character descriptions for yourself: dramatic, comedic, and a character driven role. After you’ve completed your character breakdowns, you’ll have three very specific essences that you can now capture in your headshot photo shoot.

Here are three examples:

Drama:

(Suzanne) A social worker who fiercely protects the kids she works with. Her job is her life, so she has no time for romance. She’s often overlooked or underestimated by her peers because she has such a soft exterior. But underneath lies a force to be reckoned with.

Comedy:

(Josephine) The only unmarried member of a close-knit group of friends, Josephine often feels like an outsider. She’s clumsy, yet lovable. She’s well-read, but lacks street smarts. Josephine’s very unlucky in love. She gets nervous around attractive men, which often leads to uncontrollable bouts of the hiccups. All of this aside, Josephine’s naïve outlook on life allows her to give top-notch advice to her friends in need.

Character Driven Role:

(Candace) Candace got married very young. At the age of 35, she finds herself at the end of an abusive relationship. Candace works as a local cannery where she’s been earning minimum wage for the last six years. After loosing her mother to cancer, Candace digs deep and finds the strength to change her life for the better.

Step 4: Get thinking.

Identify specific thoughts or emotions each character experiences. Perhaps words that represent them or phrases they say.

For example, Suzanne might say, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” The phrase, “Always a bridesmaid. Never a bride” may represent Josephine. Candace might feel exhausted.

Keep these thoughts in mind during your headshot photo shoot. With powerful thoughts or emotions in mind, you will easily capture the honest essence of your ideal roles.

Step 5: Plan your wardrobe, but don’t over think it.

How can you convey the essence of each character in the subtlest of ways? Remember, the best wardrobe adds to the energy of the character without being distracting.

Step 6: Bring it All Together.

Now you have three specific looks and three specific thoughts. Being an actor, the rest is easy. Just bring these thoughts and your wardrobe to your photo shoot. Then, as each different “look” or character is being shot, you simply think the thoughts of the character you’ve developed.”

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