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We posted an interview with Eco Cast a few days ago showing how the acting business is changing and how auditions have changed. If not completely it sure seems like these changes will become more
prevalent with time.
Heres another great article from thewrap.com by Lucas Shaw showing how the business of television is changing.
A great read for all actors.
It wasn’t too long ago that all headshots were printed in BW. As digital photography and printing became cheaper and more popular, the natural progression was for headshots to be shot and printed in color.
Even though color is now the norm.
There is something so beautiful and simple about a BW headshot.
Anyone still getting their headshots in BW?
I have been hearing about this new casting system called Eco Cast. In order to learn more about what it is we interviewed Shawn Summerer from Eco Cast.
Very interesting stuff for Actors.
Is this the future of auditioning??
What do you guys think?
If you enjoyed the above interview and want to know more about Eco Cast, below is the full interview with Shawn.
“A graduate of Boston University’s Film and Television program, Scott has more than 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He began his career in New York as a talent agent, where he helped to launch the careers of many of today’s top stars, including Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Teri Polo, Christopher Meloni, Dylan Walsh, Jerry O’Connell and Vincent D’Onofrio just to name a few. In 1990, Scott relocated to Los Angeles where he worked as a sitcom writer for Howie Mandel, Bobcat Goldthwait and others. In the mid-90s, Scott worked as a casting director for Danny Goldman Casting until launching his Scott Sedita Acting Studios in 1998.
Today, Scott and his staff teach the craft of acting to the hundreds of actors who walk through his doors on a weekly basis. Scott has worked with many of today’s top stars, including Emma Roberts, 50 Cent, Josh Duhamel, Chace Crawford, Kevin Alejandro, Michael Weatherly, as well as taught many hot new actors who have become series regulars on such shows as “Gossip Girl,” “90210,” “Pretty Little Liars,” “True Blood,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Weeds,” “Chuck,” “Teen Wolf,” “The Secret Life of An American Teenager” and “Zeke and Luther” to name a few.”
- http://www.scottseditaacting.com/
Scott has also written two best selling books “The Eight Characters of Comedy” and “Making it in Hollywood: 3 Steps to Success / 3 Steps to Failure” and is developing a smart phone App for actors.
He sat down with Headshotcafe.com to talk about his career and share some of the secrets to success that he has discovered along the way.
If you enjoyed the above edited interview and want to watch the whole interview, here it is.
“Actor Wade Williams sat down to talk to us about his life as an actor and building a career that has spanned 2 decades. He’s worked in every medium of film, stage and television including a series regular role on Prison Break. What makes him successful? What advice does he have for young actors? Watch and see!”
If you enjoyed the above segment check out the whole interview. Some great advice and tips for Actors.
Here are a couple of links that may be of interest during Pilot Season in LA.
We asked Rena Durham a few questions that will help us get an idea of who she is and what makes her click (pun intended).
You can learn a lot more about her from her website.
What is the most important thing an actor can do to prepare for a headshot session?
It’s vitally important to know what your casting type is (what roles you are right for – truly right for), who they are as a person and how you want to market yourself and prepare for your session accordingly. I give my clients a headshot preparation assignment that helps them prepare for their session (identifying their casting types and what roles they are right for if they don’t already know). I recommend approaching your headshot session as if it were an acting job – get into the part, run lines in your head (come up with character phrases that you can say in your head as you shoot), what is your attitude on life and do the shoot AS the character. A headshot is so much more than a pretty picture…
How would you describe your approach to shooting headshots?
I like to get to know who I am shooting and provide a relaxed and comfortable environment where they can feel free to be themselves and almost in a way, forget that they are being photographed. I shoot utilizing natural lighting (at my home studio, as well as at times going to specific nearby outdoor locations depending on the look we are going for). I do have studio lighting capabilities but have found over the years that the beauty of natural lighting is so much more flattering than any artificial light. It also really draws attention to the eyes and really makes them pop. During our session, I make sure that we are on the same page as far as the look you are going for (who is this character, what is your view on life, character phrases, what is going on with this character right now) and then we play.
If you could photograph one actor, who would it be and why?
That is a tough one. I would have to say Johnny Depp. He is an amazingly talented actor and seems so completely down to earth.
Describe your Best experience with a client. No names please.
Each experience with a client is unique (as each person is unique) and I truly enjoy working with everyone (all ages). I love when I capture images that really represent who that person is and when I hear clients say (as I shoot lots and lots of kids and teens) “Wow! that’s the look they give me when they are being mischievous” or “That is totally them! It is SO hard to get a real smile”. I love the reactions I get from my clients and their agents, managers, etc. One of the most memorable experiences was when one of my clients’ managers told me that the headshot I took of their client was the deciding factor in them booking the lead on a series (They were unsure if this particular actor could pull off what was needed for the role and when the producers saw the headshot it sealed the deal). That was really exciting to hear.
Describe your Worst experience with a client. No names please.
The worst experience I have had with a client was actually a repeat client of mine. We did a 3 look session and he paid me by check (which at the time I accepted especially coming from someone I had worked with before). He even gave me an extra ‘tip’ added onto my session fees for running late. I processed the shoot and delivered all the images from his session only to have the check bounce. I tried to call him and e-mail him and he never would return my calls. I even went to his bank and they said he had no funds in his account. It was obvious that he purposely did it and it was quite upsetting.
Describe your Strangest experience with a client. No names please.
The most interesting and uncomfortable experience I have had with a client was when I photographed an older actress who talked about her sexual exploits with famous actors and musicians in detail the entire shoot. It was the first time I had ever met this woman and it was highly inappropriate. I also photographed a woman who came to the session completely shaken up and in tears (I’m still not sure why she was in the state she was). I offered to reschedule at a better time for her but she insisted on shooting and you can imagine the results.
What is your favorite movie?
Harry Potter (all of them – I don’t think I could pick just one!) I am an avid Harry Potter fan.
What sets you apart from other photographers?
I think what sets me apart from other photographers is that my images really pop! I get a lot of comments about the eyes really standing out in my images. I am really down to earth, relaxed and easy to work with. I am also an actor myself and know what to look for in a great headshot.
Are there any other projects you are involved in that you’d like to share with us?
I’ve been photographing teen celebrities for over a decade for publications worldwide and my goal is to shoots for Teen Vogue. I am now also in the process of pursuing commercial and editorial photography and have been developing my portfolio. I most recently photographed the SS12 Campaign for Fore! Axel and Hudson (a fabulous golf inspired boys clothing line) as well as editorials for La Petite and Babiekins kids fashion magazines. I would also like to share my episode of the FRAMED Show – http://www.framedshow.com/archives/1925 (I was featured for my celebrity work but this is a great avenue to get a feel for my personality and how I work).
I first heard rumblings of Castingabout.com a few years ago from one of my actor friends who was subscribed to the site. They were using it as a reference index to send out postcards and find out who was actively casting some of the new pilots that had been announced. I thought it sounded interesting enough but at the time it seemed to me that there were other sites and places to get this info so I didn’t investigate any further. But in November, while attending Actor Fest, I ran into the co-founders of Castingabout.com, Blair Hickey and Brian Wold. They explained to me the philosophy behind their site and showed me everything that it could do. I was impressed with what I saw, so I asked them to share their philosophy with our viewers here at Headshotcafe.com. They did not disappoint.
Below is a three minute teaser of the interview with Blair and Brian.
If you would like to watch the entire interview. Here it is.
Enjoy.
Part One:
Part Two:
Part Three:
Its the end of the year and your agents and managers are on vacation. The whole business shuts down this time of year. Castings have slowed to a crawl.
Nothing much will happen now till the second week of January.
Whats an Actor to do at this time?
Just because the business has shut down for a month doesn’t mean you as an Actor can not work on a few things.
Take some time to evaluate how your year was. Did you get enough auditions? Did you book anything from those auditions?
Were your headshots working for you? Do you need to find a new acting coach? Etc etc.
“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” -Confucius
Use these few days wisely to set youself up for the upcoming “pilot” season. Once pilot season starts in January you want to have all your ducks in a row.
No one will have time for you during pilot season.
Here are some things you can do.
New Headshots if you need them.
Enough prints on hand for pilot season.
Update and print your resume.
Update your online casting sites.( LA Casting, Actors Access etc)
Update your website if you have one. If you do not have a website look into getting one started.
Get your postcards designed and ready to send out once you start auditioning.
Get your business cards designed and printed.
Update your reel.
So there are a bunch of things you can do as an Actor to get ready and hit pilot season hard once the new year starts.
“Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success.” -Henry Ford
Happy Holidays and wishing you a great New Year.
| www.buckmanheadshots… on Eco Cast !! | |
| Headshot Cafe Featur… on In Focus: Rena Durham | |
 | Anne Marie Howard on End of Year |
 | Los Angeles Photogra… on Actorfest LA November 5th |
 | joshi daniel on Wordless Wednesday |
