Types Of Headshots For Actors

By Darryl Green

  • Different Types of Headshots for Actors

    A headshot is an essential marketing tool for actors. It is an 8 x 10 photograph, used to help secure acting work, representation or auditions. Actors, or their representatives, submit these photographs to casting directors, agents and other industry professionals in the hopes that opportunities will arise for the actor.

    Beginning actors may want to stick with traditional headshots—headshots that are simple, black-and-white, and friendly. However, advanced actors may want to use a headshot that more closely follows their career path.

    There are several forms of headshots that break away from the basic, traditional headshot. Among these headshots are the commercial headshot, the theatrical headshot and the composite.

    Composites

    A composite is a collection of photographs or images that are collectively placed on a single 8×10 sheet. A composite allows the actor to display different looks and facial expressions. For example, in one image, the actor may be professional, depicting a lawyer or business person. And, in another image, the actor may look like a family man, dressing in a simple shirt and jeans.

    This collection of different appearances shows the actor’s range and ability. It demonstrates how successfully the actor can pull off different looks or character depictions. This expands the actors work opportunities.

    Commercial Headshots

    A commercial headshot is a headshot that actors specifically use to get acting jobs in television commercials. As such, commercial headshots depict an actor in the same manner as actors usually appear in commercials. In a typical commercial, actors are usually smiling and happy, bubbling over with joy as they attempt to sell an advertiser’s product. An actor who regularly performs in commercials must be able to be warm, friendly, inviting, interesting, funny and cheerful. Therefore, a commercial headshot must be all those things, too.

    In many cases, a composite may be used as a commercial headshot. That’s because, as mentioned above, a composite allows the actor to display many different looks. This allows the actor to have more potential opportunities. For instance, on the actor’s composite card, he might have a sporty, athletic look and a business professional look. These images may help him land a commercial for Nike and a commercial for Men’s Warehouse, all done by using the different looks on a single composite card.

    Theatrical Headshots

    A theatrical headshot is a headshot that actors use to obtain acting jobs in theatre or theatrical productions. The difference between a theatrical headshot and, say, a commercial headshot is the focus. Whereas a standard headshot may depict the actor as a regular person, warm and friendly, a theatrical headshot may zero-in on a specific quality or character that the actor is good at portraying. For example, an actor may be great at portraying the shy, quiet type. So, the actor may get a theatrical headshot that portrays the actor looking shy and quiet. The actor is able to use the headshot to go after theatrical roles that require an actor who can portray a shy, quiet, introverted person.

    Actors should always consult their talent agents before they spend any money getting headshots. But most importantly, actors should review their career goals to determine which kind of headshot and marketing program will work best for them.

    Recommended Posts

  • Ad

  • How Can I Impress a Director?

    How Can I Impress a Director? Proven Strategies to Stand Out in a Director’s Eyes and Make a Lasting Impact (By Carmichael Phillip) Master Your Craft Before You Enter the Room Before you…

    How Do You Get Your Director to Like You?

    How Do You Get Your Director to Like You? Winning Over the Visionary: Professional Tips for Building Rapport with Your Director (By Carmichael Phillip) Understand Their Vision One of the best ways to…

    Do casting directors look at Instagram?

    Do casting directors look at Instagram? **How Your Social Media Presence Could Influence Casting Decisions** (By Carmichael Phillip) The Growing Role of Social Media in Casting In today’s entertainment landscape, platforms like Instagram…

    Is it OK to follow up with a casting director?

    Is it OK to follow up with a casting director? **Navigating Professional Communication in the Acting Industry** (By Carmichael Phillip) Understanding the Role of a Casting Director Casting directors play a critical role…

    How long does it take for casting directors to contact you?

    How long does it take for casting directors to contact you? **Understanding the Waiting Game in the Audition Process** (By Carmichael Phillip) The Typical Timeline After an Audition For many actors, the time…

  • Ad

  • Which Network Has the Most Commercials Per Hour?

    Which Network Has the Most Commercials Per Hour? Analyzing TV Networks, Their Advertising Loads, and Impact on Viewers (By Carmichael Phillip) Introduction: The Commercial Landscape on TV Networks Television networks rely heavily on…

    How long do commercials typically run for?

    How long do commercials typically run for? Understanding the lengths, formats, and examples of TV and online commercials (By Carmichael Phillip) Introduction: The Basics of Commercial Lengths Commercials are an essential part of…

    What Happens After a Callback?

    What Happens After a Callback?Understanding the Final Steps Between Audition and Booking the Role (By Carmichael Phillip) What Is a Callback, and Why Does It Matter? In the world of acting and auditions,…

  • Ad

  • How Many Commercials Are in a 30 Minute TV Show?

    How Many Commercials Are in a 30 Minute TV Show?Exploring Advertising Breaks and Their Impact on Viewing (By Carmichael Phillip) Introduction: The Role of Commercials in Television Television programming, especially in the United…

    What is an F List Celebrity?

    What is an F List Celebrity?Understanding the Nuances of Fame and Notoriety (By Carmichael Phillip) Defining the F List Celebrity In the glamorous world of fame and entertainment, not all stars shine equally…

    How to Do a Self-Tape on Your Own?

    How to Do a Self-Tape on Your Own? A step-by-step guide for actors auditioning solo from home (By Carmichael Phillip) Understanding What a Self-Tape Is A self-tape is a video audition that actors…

    Do Actors Really Kiss When Acting?

    Do Actors Really Kiss When Acting? The truth behind on-screen romance and what happens when the cameras roll (By Carmichael Phillip) The Big Question: Is the Kiss Real or Just Movie Magic? For…

    Can I Self-Tape on My Phone?

    Can I Self-Tape on My Phone? A Comprehensive Guide to Self-Taping Using Your Smartphone for Acting Auditions (By Carmichael Phillip) The Rise of Self-Taping in the Acting Industry The casting world has evolved…

  • Ad

  • Do You Have to Be Skinny to Be an Actor?

    Do You Have to Be Skinny to Be an Actor? Exploring Body Image, Typecasting, and the Evolution of Diversity in Hollywood (By Carmichael Phillip) Hollywood’s Historical Obsession with Thinness The film industry has…

    Do Actors Have Fun on Set?

    Do Actors Have Fun on Set? Behind the Scenes: Laughter, Pranks, and Camaraderie in the Acting World (By Carmichael Phillip) The Myth of the Glamorous Set To the general public, the life of…

    Actor Profile: Mark Consuelos

    Actor Profile: Mark Consuelos From Soap Operas to Talk Show Stardom—The Multi-Talented Career of Mark Consuelos (By Carmichael Phillip) * Early Life and Multicultural Roots* Mark Andrew Consuelos was born on March 30,…

  • Ad

  • Actor Profile: Eric Braeden

    Actor Profile: Eric Braeden The German-Born Icon Who Became the Face of Victor Newman (By Carmichael Phillip) * Early Life and Journey to America* Eric Braeden was born Hans-Jörg Gudegast on April 3,…

    Actor Profile: Susan Lucci

    Actor Profile: Susan Lucci The Daytime Empress Who Made Erica Kane a Legend (By Carmichael Phillip) * Early Life and Background* Born on December 23, 1946, in Scarsdale, New York, Susan Victoria Lucci…

    Actor Profile: Deidre Hall

    Actor Profile: Deidre Hall   The Enduring Legacy of a Soap Opera Icon   (By Carmichael Phillip) Early Life and the Road to Stardom Deidre Ann Hall was born on October 31, 1947,…

    Actor Profile: Kelly Ripa

    Actor Profile: Kelly Ripa   From Daytime Drama to Morning Show Queen: The Unstoppable Rise of Kelly Ripa   (By Carmichael Phillip) Early Life and Energetic Beginnings Born on October 2, 1970, in…

    Actor Profile: Lauralee Bell

    Actor Profile: Lauralee Bell   The soap opera heiress who turned legacy into longevity   (By Carmichael Phillip) Early Life and Hollywood Roots Born on December 22, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, Lauralee Kristen…

  • Ad