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( 3.1 / 22 )We had an absolutely great time and more to the point we got some great headshots.
For me it's particularly gratifying when one of my clients especially someone who has been photographed by so many other photographers tells me how 'easy it was to be photographed by me' and ' they were surprised at how much I drew out of them'.
A big thanks to Jenny for the compliments and a great shoot.
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( 2.9 / 15 )She'd asked me to look at her previous headshots and comment on them. There were two things that jumped out at me, firstly there were so many different looks, from short hair, curly hair, long hair and hair that had strong highlights in it. I wasn't sure which hair style was going to show up for my shoot and knew that any casting director would have the same problem?
Secondly and more importantly her eyes were flat and lifeless. Anyone who reads my blog regularly will know how much emphasis I put on the eyes and having some form of emotion and connectivity in them.
I am very pleased to say how happy my client was with her results, especially after her somewhat trepidatious start. She felt that she was doing something wrong, or not doing enough until I explained to her what to do exactly. After all that is what a client pays for; my skill, my knowledge, my encouragement and most of all results!
We were both really happy with the headshots and I am looking forward to following her future when using the new headshots.
I'll keep you all posted!
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( 3.3 / 20 )actors headshots
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( 3 / 21 )Although it is aimed primarily at the Irish Market it contains some salient points from an established casting director. However I do not agree with the point of getting 'actors to at first play around with a digital camera in the back garden' as this has no relavancy to what an actual headshot session is like. In my many years experience as an actors headshot photographer in London I can't think of one instance when an actors has told me they'd done this. Neither will it prepare an actor to meet a stranger ( photographer ) and feel comfortable with them. ( This is one of the reasons I insist on talking to my clients befoere they book a session so the can get a feel for who I am. This is another reason why I don't like the automated faceless way of booking online, I think it's imperative that some connection is made before the shoot). I believe that a large part of my skill lies in the fact that I can draw out or encourage or direct an actor into the right state to get a great headshot.
Casting director Thyrza Ging has cast the feature films Satellites and Meteorites and Savage and the television miniseries Prosperity, and is also guest tutor on the Acting for Film and TV training course in Filmbase, giving advice to actors on the business side of acting.
So you’ve photographed yourself in the mirror using your phone, is this enough?
Headshots
‘Your headshot is your calling card,’ explains Thyrza, ‘and the most important thing with a headshot is to give a true and fair view of who you are as a person. Some photographers say, “Please don’t smile” but if you are a very smiley person it isn’t going to be a good representation of who you are.’ Prices for professional headshots range from €80, where you may just receive your photos on a CD, to €200, which may include multiple A4 copies and personalised business cards with your headshot and contact details on them – very handy for schmoozing opportunities at industry drinks receptions, glamorous film festivals and in the Filmbase basement.
‘It’s very important to get it right, and for you to feel comfortable in front of the camera,’ Thyrza continues. ‘I recommend actors to at first play around with a digital camera in the back garden because it is important that you feel comfortable in front of the camera before spending hundreds of euro on a shot. The standard in the Irish industry and the uk is a black and white A4 photograph. In America it’s colour, but a lot of actors here, especially red-headed actors, get colour shots done.’
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( 3.2 / 19 )actors headshots
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( 3.1 / 20 )Many actors don’t work as often as they’d like. But what do they do when they’re not working? Let’s face it, in the UK, the answer is – some kind of crappy part-time, temporary, casual, flexible job and little else.
But to those resting actors, here’s my advice. You should be investing in your acting career every day. You should be doing something to invest in your acting career every day.
Now here’s the thing, when I say invest, I mean time. How much time are you willing to invest in improving yourself? Many actors leave Drama School and never take any classes or try to improve their chances of getting work. But not in the USA, actors are always seeking the edge, the advantage and the actors that I know that do that, they get cast, they work, but when they are not working, they are still learning, acting, writing or training.
Imagine the athlete who never trained between competitions. We would laugh at them, because they would be ludicrously out of shape. But actors never give it a second thought…
Here’s my suggestion for ways that you can invest in your acting career on a daily basis. Below is a sample week; of course, it may not match your actual week, but stands as an example of The Actor’s Week.
Monday: Acting Classes
There are plenty of acting classes for professionals these days, you may need to travel to a city, but it’s worth it. Use this resting period as a way to learn a new approach or skill, improve your existing skills or simply keep the engine running.
Tuesday: Exercise
Love it or loathe it, we all NEED it, so whether you go for a swim, do Pilates or yoga, you need to stay fit and healthy in order to enjoy a long career as an actor. My tip is that three days per week of exercise is quite enough, but if you vary the type of exercise, you’re more likely to stick with it.
Wednesday: Be Among Your Peers
If you can be among actors as much as possible, it will help you to keep the motor running. It’s not just a chance to moan about not working or directors you can’t stand. London has the Actor’s Centre, Scotland will have one soon too, but it already has The Actor’s Kitchen (Edinburgh) and The Actor’s Bothy (Glasgow) as places to spend time with your peers and solidarity keeps you strong.
Thursday: 1-2-1 Acting Coaching
It’s difficult to prepare for auditions by yourself. Most drama schools don’t teach methodologies that can be applied to this situation, that’s why acting coaches can help the actor to stay on top form and prepare them for their auditions. Always look for an experienced and qualified acting coach, not someone who is looking to make a few quid outside of high school teaching hours or another out of work actor/director.
Friday: Check for Jobs
Your agent is busy, so you have to look for work too. So today you trawl the Internet, Casting Call Pro, Mandy, The Stage – well – anywhere, use this time to look at the jobs available and consider new directors or production companies in your city that you could send a CV and headshot.
Saturday: Watch a Film/Go to the Theatre
Support the industry, enjoy a good play or film, remind yourself why you act.
Sunday: Talking Out Loud
This is simple, costs nothing and is fun. Grab a stack of plays or poems and read aloud to yourself. Get used to different forms of language, rhythm, and how punctuation changes how something is spoken. Get used to speaking aloud, get used to enjoying it, no matter whether you’re faced with Shakespeare, Sheridan, Mamet, Duffy and Auden.
To You, The Best!
Mark Westbrook is a Professional Acting Coach and runs Acting Coach Scotland, a private acting studio offering acting classes in Glasgow, masterclasses, workshops and audition coaching for actors at all levels. His acting studio is based in Glasgow, Scotland, although he teaches all across the United Kingdom. All Blog Posts © Mark Westbrook 2009
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( 2.9 / 20 )Sold out tonight - Friday the 13th - a great night for a horror movie, but there are still limited tickets available on Saturday and Sunday 14th & 15th.
I must admit I was impressed with my steadycam work and it did feel good to see my name roll by on the credits.
Buy your tickets here
http://www.callofthehunter.com/Pages/Ticketbooking.htm
See the trailer here
http://www.callofthehunter.com/
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( 2.8 / 27 )I just wanted to let you know about a great film that premier's on 12/11/09 in London.
It's a horror movie called ' Call Of The Hunter ' and it's a film I co-produced. I also did the steady camera work - which was a first for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it I might add.
My long time friend Anthony Straeger has directed it, and I think it'll be a great success having already been picked up by several distribution companies both here and in the US.
If anyone wants to come and see it, that would be fantastic, tickets are £10.00 and the director and crew will be there for Q&A every night. It only has a limited run of 4 nights due distribution dates, tickets are SOLD OUT for 12th November and limited tickets are available for the other nights.
Come down and see a cracking movie.
Get your tickets here: http://www.callofthehunter.com/
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( 3.1 / 27 )
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