Acting Headshot Basics

By Bob Fraser

A lot of actors ask me to look at their headshots. Then they ask my opinion. Usually my answer goes something like this: "Try again." Why? Because, while many actors complain that they don’t get very good results from their mailings to casting directors, they seldom connect those results to their headshot.

92.6% of the time, if you're not getting a response from your mailings, your headshot is the problem. (I make up statistics, so you can't really trust me. But that's my pretty educated guess.)

If you are not getting good results mailing out your headshot, here are a few hints that might make your response rate more to your liking:

First, don’t submit for things you are not right for. Don’t kid yourself. If they’re looking for a tall, lithe, athletic Argentinean flamenco dancer ... and you’re a corn-fed baton twirler from Iowa ... don’t waste the postage.

More importantly: Don't waste the casting director's time.

You must understand that the folks who work in the casting side of the business are veryveryvery busy trying to get their jobs done to the satisfaction of the director, the producers and more often than not, some huge studio that doles out most of the work.

Casting Directors are under enormous pressure to deliver. If they don’t deliver, things may not be too pleasant for them on the employment front. Be nice to casting directors, they have a hard job. And most of them don't make a lot of money.

The opposite of this, of course, is: You must ALWAYS submit for EVERY role you are right for. Don’t get lazy.

Secondly, don’t seal your envelope.

This is easy to remember and very important. 91% (another fake statistic) of people in casting complain about having to open the manila envelopes – hundreds and sometimes thousands a day.

If you want to be a 'friend' to these people, don’t seal your envelope. Tuck the flap in and ship it. Don’t worry about your stuff falling out, that rarely happens. And even if it does happen – it is better to take a 90 cent loss than to get on the wrong side of a casting director or assistant who will soon become a casting director.

You might want to try these new "see through" mailers. I bet casting directors love those. Easy, peasy.

Third, make sure that your contact phone number is answered at all hours.

If they cannot get in touch with you, you will not get the work. Again, casting directors are very busy and usually working under a barely possible deadline. They don’t have time to keep calling and calling in hopes of finding you. They won’t do it. Unless you’re Harrison Ford. Then they will keep calling and calling. Wouldn’t you?

Good idea: Get a cell phone. Pay the bill. This is a business.

Fourth, follow the 'Headshot Rule.'

If you are not getting about a 5 to 7% ROIIY* on your mailings ... you need a new picture. Keep track. If you send out 100 pictures and don't get 5 to 7 calls – call a photographer.

*ROIIY= Rate Of Interest In You

Most successful actors get hundreds of headshots taken over the course of their career. The reason? The picture must 'work' – it must get you called in for an audition or a meeting. If it doesn’t – then it’s not 'working.' Even if you think it’s the best picture that’s ever been taken of you, don’t keep trying to ride a dead horse. If your headshot doesn't 'work' (get you called in) – welcome to reality ... you need a new headshot.

It amazes me how many actors keep flogging the same old picture when it isn't 'working.' Even if it hasn't gotten them called in for a meeting or an audition for months, they continue to insist that it’s a great headshot. And they send out hundreds. Keep track. If you’re not getting called ... move on.

Now you are probably thinking about how much this is going to cost you ... this constant need of new pictures (until you get one that really really works). Good. You have begun to think about your business. And the cost of doing business.

Your headshot is your main professional advertising medium, your most important marketing tool, and your vital mailer component.

Your headshot is the only way in the door. Your headshot is one of the few parts of the entire process you have total control over. So, make no mistake, your headshot is your most critical acting career tool.

If you spend your resources on other 'methods' and continue to use a headshot that isn't working ... well, frankly, you are just wasting your money. That’s simply a fact of life in the acting business. Don't argue.

Well, you CAN argue and try to 'get by' a picture you've already got – essentially ignoring this crucially important tool – but I guarantee you a full ration of disappointment in the end result.

I have seen people with very small talents (and so have you) who, because they DO the business part, get so much further than those who think that somehow their talent will be discerned from any old method of marketing.

Is it worth it to keep getting new headshots – until you find one that works? Only you can decide that.

Fifth, and it should probably be first, because it is so important: Your headshot must look exactly like you. If you send a picture to a casting director and you get called in, and you don’t look like your headshot – you will almost always automatically lose the audition.

Casting directors don’t like surprises very much. If your picture looks like Matt Damon and you look like Steve Buscemi ... you will find yourself in a 'lose-lose' audition. However, if your picture looks exactly like you and they call you in – well, then, YOU are exactly who they are interested in.

Now that you're in the door, all you have to do is 'blow them away' with your audition.

You know how to do that, right ?