Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: professional headshot...truly necessary?

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Topic: professional headshot...truly necessary?
Posted: 1/15/04 at 3:38pm

I'm an active member of our local community theater group. Most of our audition notices include a request for a headshot. Last year I took some digital photos of myself and use those. I use different shots for different shows, based on need.

A friend has suggested I need "professional" headshots (i.e., glossy black and white) instead of my home-computer-printed black and whites. Interestingly, no director has ever commented one way or another about my pics.

What do you think?

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Posted: 1/15/04 at 3:38pm

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Posted: 1/15/04 at 5:01pm

I just cast a show. Interestingly, I had two people show up with professional headshots and resumes. The only difference, they didn't have to have their pictures taken.(I take digital photos to attach to audition sheets. Isn't technology wonderful?) As a director, I think a photo is great for referring to when casting, but I wouldn't get a professional headshot done for community theater. It didn't make a bit of difference to me when I was casting.

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Posted: 1/16/04 at 10:24am

A headshot is nice to have, but I too take photos as I audition. (I still do polaroids as I have not moved into the 1990's technologically speaking) It helps me remember who is who, and gives me a more realistic look at the actor. Glossy headshots are often too over-produced for my liking. It's great that after 3 hours of makeup, hair, soft lighting, etc. you can look like a movie star-but what do your project? Who are you? I think my candid polaroids go a lot further in capturing that.

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Posted: 1/25/04 at 10:56am

Pro headshots can be costly, especially if you want a variety of poses. Are you planning to attend any professional auditions? If so, you might want to look into it. If you are sticking with Community Theater, then the methods you mention should be fine.

I would not recommend showing up to a pro audition with a "self portrait", if you want to be taken seriously.

BTW, if you do want to do headshots, start with a local portrait photographer. They know as much about good headshots as the "specialists".

Doug

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Posted: 1/26/04 at 11:12am

Thanks all. Thats what I thought too. Its just fine for community theater.

If I'm going to strike out professionally (not likely :) ), then I'll go for the professional headshot.

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Dustmac
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Posted: 5/25/05 at 5:52pm

I know this was posted a long time ago but it is an interesting topic. Whenever I direct I don't ever ask for a headshot. However, if you are serious about acting, it isn't a bad idea, especially if you plan to venture out into bigger theaters. We have a small theater in Covington, Tennessee which is about an hour from Memphis. A lot of our actors start out at the Ruffin but then audition on occasion for plays in Memphis. Most of those theaters want a good head shot.

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Gaafa
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Posted: 5/25/05 at 9:42pm

Have a look at Chad Garcia 'Acting Tips' newsletter, he has quite a bit on there about head shots & the like www.actortips.com
As they don?t seem to have auditions, for us little black duck Techies as yet, I will never have to worry about it.

Joe
Western Gondawandaland
turn right @ Perth.
Hear the light & see the sound.
Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"}
May you always play
to a full house}

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Nyria
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Posted: 6/06/05 at 4:27pm

For community theatre - are you kidding? That's kinda crazy - especially with the price of headshots.

Even for professional theatre or film - it's not like they are going to audition you - love you for the part and then say 'He was perfect for the part - but his headshot wasn't professional enough'.

I have headshots from a friend who took them with a digital camera - then I print them out on my computer - I've gotten commercials from auditioning with these. Then again I live in Canada - not so competitive.

NYRIA

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Dustmac
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Posted: 6/07/05 at 10:25am

I am going to politely disagree with you Nyria. While you are right, they are not completely necessary for Community Theater, let's just say it helps if you are new in the area or auditioning at another community theater where your reputation has not been established. At our theater, we try to support arts throughout the region and some of our actors have received roles in Memphis and other places because of having a professional portfolio. I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. There is a community theater not far from us that REQUIRES a headshot, so it varies.

In addition, some of our actors have left community theater and go on to shoot independent films or be in professional theater, so while it is not a requirement, it can't hurt.

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Topic: professional headshot...truly necessary?( Topic Closed)

Author	Message
Guests Guest	Topic: professional headshot...truly necessary? Posted: 1/15/04 at 3:38pm
	I'm an active member of our local community theater group. Most of our audition notices include a request for a headshot. Last year I took some digital photos of myself and use those. I use different shots for different shows, based on need. A friend has suggested I need "professional" headshots (i.e., glossy black and white) instead of my home-computer-printed black and whites. Interestingly, no director has ever commented one way or another about my pics. What do you think?

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Guests Guest	Posted: 1/15/04 at 3:38pm
	I'm an active member of our local community theater group. Most of our audition notices include a request for a headshot. Last year I took some digital photos of myself and use those. I use different shots for different shows, based on need. A friend has suggested I need "professional" headshots (i.e., glossy black and white) instead of my home-computer-printed black and whites. Interestingly, no director has ever commented one way or another about my pics. What do you think?
	IP Logged

Guests Guest	Posted: 1/15/04 at 5:01pm
	I just cast a show. Interestingly, I had two people show up with professional headshots and resumes. The only difference, they didn't have to have their pictures taken.(I take digital photos to attach to audition sheets. Isn't technology wonderful?) As a director, I think a photo is great for referring to when casting, but I wouldn't get a professional headshot done for community theater. It didn't make a bit of difference to me when I was casting.
	IP Logged

Guests Guest	Posted: 1/16/04 at 10:24am
	A headshot is nice to have, but I too take photos as I audition. (I still do polaroids as I have not moved into the 1990's technologically speaking) It helps me remember who is who, and gives me a more realistic look at the actor. Glossy headshots are often too over-produced for my liking. It's great that after 3 hours of makeup, hair, soft lighting, etc. you can look like a movie star-but what do your project? Who are you? I think my candid polaroids go a lot further in capturing that.
	IP Logged

Guests Guest	Posted: 1/25/04 at 10:56am
	Pro headshots can be costly, especially if you want a variety of poses. Are you planning to attend any professional auditions? If so, you might want to look into it. If you are sticking with Community Theater, then the methods you mention should be fine. I would not recommend showing up to a pro audition with a "self portrait", if you want to be taken seriously. BTW, if you do want to do headshots, start with a local portrait photographer. They know as much about good headshots as the "specialists". Doug
	IP Logged

Guests Guest	Posted: 1/26/04 at 11:12am
	Thanks all. Thats what I thought too. Its just fine for community theater. If I'm going to strike out professionally (not likely :) ), then I'll go for the professional headshot.
	IP Logged

Dustmac Lead Joined: 5/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 42	Posted: 5/25/05 at 5:52pm
	I know this was posted a long time ago but it is an interesting topic. Whenever I direct I don't ever ask for a headshot. However, if you are serious about acting, it isn't a bad idea, especially if you plan to venture out into bigger theaters. We have a small theater in Covington, Tennessee which is about an hour from Memphis. A lot of our actors start out at the Ruffin but then audition on occasion for plays in Memphis. Most of those theaters want a good head shot.
	IP Logged

Gaafa Celebrity Joined: 3/21/04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 1181	Posted: 5/25/05 at 9:42pm
	Have a look at Chad Garcia 'Acting Tips' newsletter, he has quite a bit on there about head shots & the like www.actortips.com As they don?t seem to have auditions, for us little black duck Techies as yet, I will never have to worry about it.
	Joe Western Gondawandaland turn right @ Perth. Hear the light & see the sound. Toi Toi Toi Chookas {{"chook [chicken] it is"} May you always play to a full house}
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Nyria Celebrity Joined: 1/20/05 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 157	Posted: 6/06/05 at 4:27pm
	For community theatre - are you kidding? That's kinda crazy - especially with the price of headshots. Even for professional theatre or film - it's not like they are going to audition you - love you for the part and then say 'He was perfect for the part - but his headshot wasn't professional enough'. I have headshots from a friend who took them with a digital camera - then I print them out on my computer - I've gotten commercials from auditioning with these. Then again I live in Canada - not so competitive.
	NYRIA
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Dustmac Lead Joined: 5/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 42	Posted: 6/07/05 at 10:25am
	I am going to politely disagree with you Nyria. While you are right, they are not completely necessary for Community Theater, let's just say it helps if you are new in the area or auditioning at another community theater where your reputation has not been established. At our theater, we try to support arts throughout the region and some of our actors have received roles in Memphis and other places because of having a professional portfolio. I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. There is a community theater not far from us that REQUIRES a headshot, so it varies. In addition, some of our actors have left community theater and go on to shoot independent films or be in professional theater, so while it is not a requirement, it can't hurt.
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