When actor’s book their first actor headshot session with me, they often ask how to prepare for the shoot. I therefore thought it might be useful to write a short blog entry discussing the key things to be aware of when diving in to your latest actor headshot photography session, and how these can affect the success of your shoot.

1. Your Experience So Far

When you arrive to one of my actor headshot photoshoots, I like to get to know a bit more about you: have you had headshots done before? Do you have any previous experience in front of a stills camera? How long have you been acting for? Has it been primarily stage or screen work? What sort of characters have you portrayed in the past?

Knowing all of this enables me to plan how best to tailor your session: whether it’s how much direction or physicality coaching you might need; the pace of the shoot; which backgrounds and lighting set up I think might  best suit your style; as well as the variety of looks we might be able to achieve.  These last two points are also particularly important when thinking about the next consideration….

2. What Direction Would You Like Your Career to Take?

It’s all well and good establishing your background, but the more important thing to consider is what you want to achieve going forward. What are the goals of your new actor headshots? Is it to update your current headshots now that you have a new fro or have a few more wrinkles? Is it to take your acting career in a new direction? Is there a specific role you really want to go for and want to be able to send a tailored headshot to the casting director to help improve your chances of securing the audition?

Again, all of the above is information that will allow me to tailor your headshot session to meet the goals you have set for yourself. For instance, if you just want to update your current headshots and would like to keep the same style then I can do my best to emulate the look and feel of your previous headshots whilst showing off the new you. Alternatively, if you want to take your career in a new direction, perhaps transitioning from Shakespeare and stage to TV, then we might look at taking a more contemporary approach to the lighting and background in order to appeal to casting directors in that area of the industry. The final point; trying to capture a specific character, leads us very aptly to the next thing to think about…

3. What is Your Casting Type?

This is one of the most important things for any actor to be able to identify about themselves as this affects how you market yourself and potentially allows you to establish your niche or ‘brand.’ Are you a leading lady? The boy next door? The hardman? The geek? Do you belong with the cast of Downton Abbey? Knowing your casting type means that I can provide more tailored direction and physicality coaching that is specifically designed to bring out these characters, without going over the top: it’s all about the art of subtle suggestion!

But what if you’re just starting out in acting and haven’t established your casting type yet? Don’t panic! By walking you through different exercises, we can get a range of looks that cover a variety of casting types as well as focusing on the next point of consideration…

4. How Would You Describe Yourself?

Whenever actors come to one of my headshot photography sessions, I always ask them to describe themselves in 4-5 words. The thing to remember is that as useful as it is to be able to convey your casting type in your actor headshot, casting directors often also want you to offer them a glimpse to your own personality. Are you loud, expressive, confident and boisterous? Are you geeky, analytical, precise and hard working? These words describe two very different people and so they would need to be photographed in different ways.

It can sometimes be difficult to think of these things on the spot so by coming prepared, your actor headshot session can start with a solid foundation, a clear set of goals and a tailored method of approach unique to you!

If you have any questions on how to prepare for your session, feel free to drop CONTACT ME or check out some of the links below for more frequently asked questions when it comes to actor headshots!

The post How to Prepare for an Actor Headshot Photoshoot appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.

Casting Calls: Male Aged 30-45 for Short Film

Warhol is an award winning dark comedic script with a run time of 15 minutes, during which it holds a mirror up to the celebrity obsessed world within which we live. How far will a person go, or allow themselves to be pushed in order to achieve their fifteen minutes of fame? ‘Warhol’ demonstrates how the media can influence, and in this case manipulate their audience, at times with disturbing consequences.

You will be working with an award winning script and a team that have worked on the following programmes. A Director, who has worked on everything from Robin Hood Prince of Thieves to Mr Selfridge. Craig Shaynak – You may know him from the hit show ‘Ray Donovan.’ Anil Desai – The Kumars (BBC) Stuart White Nichols – BBC Timothy David – HBO’s Game Of Thrones, Benjamin Crellin – Xena Warrior Princess and Young Hercules. Thomas Johnson – Art Director on the last four JLS Videos. And me… Adam, who’s written for The BBC, Buena Vista, ITV and others. We also have a genuine hollywood actor reading for the lead.

Character: Dave Dawson

Must be American or Canadian! Must! Age 30 – 45. Dave is a Howard Stern wannabe. Banned from broadcasting in America after a stunt backfired, Dave jumped the pond in search of a fresh start, forcing him to take a job at a small regional station in East Anglia where his right-wing, straight talking persona is more than the suburban town can handle. The lack of night owls, insomniacs and lovelorn housewives, means he is having trouble flexing his tabloid muscles.

Pay: £60 p/day

Shoot Date: 4th Nov 2013 – 6th Nov 2013

Production Company: http://www.dittoproductionslimited.com/_/Welcome.html

Apply: adam@dittoproductionslimited.com

Casting Calls: Young Cast Required for Moroccan Film

Thief

The film is a moving story about a homeless boy who desperately needs money to pay for his sick brothers operation. Miraculously he lands his dream job working as a bellhop at an international hotel, but someone steals his uniform which is vital for the job. The story follows Youseff and his friends as they search the souks of Marrakech in a desperate bid to try and get it back.

Shoot dates:  1st Dec 2013 – 18th Dec 2013

Pay: £380+ P/week (plus flights, accommodation & expenses)

Available Roles:

Youseff
Ernest, slim, caring for his brother, homeless, honest face

Adbel
Disabled, frail, honest, fighter, funny

Kaz
Hard, bully, muscular, frightening, intimidating

Rao
Kind, hard working, appears older than her years, attractive, loyal.

Nabil
Friendly, funny, not very fit, side kick character

To apply: currently applications are only being taken through Shooting People – https://shootingpeople.org/production/work/project/6484

Casting Calls: Male Actor for Short Film

Big Grail

A short scripted dark comedy with 2 actors. A married couple in a chauffer driven car find themselves stuck at a security checkpoint.. Both are business executives in the same multi-national company. A dispute ensues about issues as wide ranging as ecology, capitalism and marital infidelity drawing out themes around convenience, consumption, good taste and etiquette. This is an artists’ film commission produced for a contemporary art context, opening at a London gallery early 2014.

Character: Business Man (Lead)

Adult white male aged late 30s-50 yrs old. Must have British accent, indistinguishable not too posh. He is a senior brand manager within a multinational food technology corporation. Must have a professional look someone with confidence and authority. He is colleague and romantic interest to female lead. Role requires good comedic acting, with some serious elements. Verbal role with good facial acting acting and hand gestures. Not too caricature. 2 shooting days + 1 rehearsal day. Early Dec 2013.

Shooting dates: 4th Dec 2013 – 5th Dec 2013

Location: London

Pay rate: £175-£300 per day (negotiable), inc. agreed travel expenses

Apply: Alexandra Roche: ali.roche@spikeisland.org.uk

Acting Jobs: Drama Tutor Needed

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland are looking to hire a part time Drama Tutor.

They are looking to employ an experienced Drama Tutor, they will be responsible for the design and delivery of a 21 week programme of weekly drama classes taking place on Friday mornings from January 2014 – May 2014 on site in HMP Perth.

Applicants should have a degree level education, skills in devising performance and experience of teaching/creative facilitation.

Part Time
Hourly Paid £21.61

You can find out more information about this vacancy and apply on: bit.ly/xnDnBy

Production Crew: Steady-Cam Operator

Stereotype

A teenage boy goes out into the night to avenge his brother death and finds himself in an unexpected situation that changes his life forever. It is a 10 minute film that is slick, fast based with a beautiful twist that will change the audiences mindset of street life.

We are looking for a newly qualified Steady cam operator that wants to work with a good quality team on high production value films. This job is an indie short however we do have more lucrative commercials that will offer better wages.

Pay: £100-175 p/day

Shooting Dates: 29th Nov 2013 – 2nd Dec 2013

Shooting Location: East England.

Apply: Contact via Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/mcgibneybrothers

Production Crew: Multiple Positions for Filming in Morocco

Thief

The film is a moving story about a homeless boy who desperately needs money to pay for his sick brothers operation. Miraculously he lands his dream job working as a bellhop at an international hotel, but someone steals his uniform which is vital for the job. The story follows Youseff and his friends as they search the souks of Marrakech in a desperate bid to try and get it back.

Shoot dates:  1st Dec 2013 – 18th Dec 2013

Line Producer
We are looking for a line producer who has some experience working on location in Marrakech on a low budget

Pay: £500+ p/week plus flights, accommodation and expenses)

Casting Director
We are looking for someone with experience of casting a low budget film shooting in Marrakech. All the actors and extras need to be based in Morocco

Pay: £500+ p/week plus flights, accommodation and expenses)

Location Manager
We need someone who has a very good knowledge or ideally lives in Marrakech to help us find several key locations for our low budget film

Pay: £380+ p/week plus flights, accommodation and expenses)

Director of Photography
We are looking for a DOP who has some experience of shooting in Marrakesh. This is a low budget feature, filming on the streets over a short schedule. So the right individual needs to be fast and able to work in restrictive places with actors only going for a few takes. We need someone who has experience and can help us get deals using either the Alexa or Canon C300.

Pay: £380+ p/week plus flights, accommodation and expenses)

To apply: currently applications are only being taken through Shooting People – https://shootingpeople.org/production/work/project/6484

Production Crew: Motion graphics Designer

I am looking for an after effects editor to come on board a high profile museum project. I’d love you to bring your creative flare and offer ideas rather than need to be told exactly what to do. The final film will be 10-15 mins in length and projected large over a series of nights for an emersive installation but will stand alone as a short film as well. I’d like to hear from anyone who thinks this appeals to them. The rough budget we had in mind was £300 per day.

For more info and to apply: contact@indivisionfilms.com

Production Crew: Director and Co-Producer

Full Marx

A budding London-based director and co-producer to jointly apply with this short for London Calling production awards (filmlondon.org.uk/londoncalling):… Karl Marx and Groucho Marx materialise in old haunts in London, but in the present-day. Finding common ground, they determine to be more successful this time around. They head for the Soho pub where Karl once got a break, sure they’ll be listened to there, in the current economic climate. apply to: barry@desertratfeatures.com

Director:

Someone to bring flair and vision to the script. The funding is intended to support the next generation of filmmakers and so an applicant needs to be ‘breaking good’ but not so experienced as to invalidate the application.

Pay: £200 p/day approx

Producer:

A co-producer who knows how to make every penny count. The proviso stated under ‘Director’ also applies here.

Pay: £200 p/day approx

Shoot dates: 14th Feb 2014 – 14th Feb 2014

Location: London

Media Jobs: ICA Manager

The ICA are looking to hire a Development Manager to join their development team.

The role requires the ability to work across the Development Team and be involved in all aspects of funding activities. Thy will be able to collaboratively devise an innovative grants fundraising strategy to support the ICA’s creative programme.

Full time position
London
salary range £26,000 – £30,000 (depending on experience)

Closing date for applications: Sunday 20 October 2013.

To find out more and to apply take a look at: bit.ly/1gaz3BT

Media Jobs: Distribution Manager

LUX is looking to hire a Distribution Manager for their international artists’ film and video distribution service.

Their main responsibilities would be to manage the film bookings for the LUX distribution service, providing an efficient and friendly service for exhibitors, buyers and artists and working closely with the Collections Manager to fulfil orders in a timely and well-organised manner.

– Deadline for applications: 28 October 2013 5pm
– Wage: £25,000 pa (pro rata 0.8) plus 5% pension contribution
– Working Hours: Part time (4 days a week). 10am-6pm with 1 hour lunch break. evening and weekend work will be required, with time off in lieu.
– Holidays: 25 days per year pro-rata (5 compulsory days (pro rata) must be taken during the office closure at Christmas) with an increase of 1 day per year worked up to a maximum of 30 days.
– Contract: Permanent (with six month probation period)

To find out more and to apply, please head to: bit.ly/qq88A9

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