Hi!

I posted this thread on the headshots/resumes board (link: http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8011031/m/494100911 ), but I'm interested in hearing the opinions over here, particularly Secret Agent Man's.

I recently moved from Philadelphia, PA (where I had my headshots taken professionally) to Los Angeles, CA. I'm interested in working in film and television. I haven't gone on any auditions out in LA yet. I'm working on becoming SAG eligible (two SAG vouchers down, one to go), building up my resume, taking more classes (I believe I'm starting with Ivana Chubbuck later this month), etc. I was wondering if I could please get some feedback on my headshot. Will it suffice for now? It will mainly function as a tool to attract representation, and after that, I assume I'll be asked to get a new one. I hear that many agents ask their new clients to change aspects of their looks or simply to get new shots. Or, should I get a new one now?

Please note that the images lost a lot of quality when I re-sized them and uploaded them.



I also have reproductions of this one, but it's not my "main" one:



Thank you!

Erin

PS: If/when I do get new headshots, I'm interested in http://www.blakegardner.net . Thoughts? For whatever it's worth, I'm 22-years-old, but am constantly told that I look around 14 - 16. I like to play that up and would love for someone to capture me looking particularly youthful.

PPS: Last question. I promise. I have done a lot of extra work. I've heard some feedback that it's a terrible idea to list it on a resume at all. I've also heard that it doesn't hurt to list it as long as you're honest that they were extra roles and don't try to play it up. It shows that you've had the experience of being on sets, etc. Any opinions on this?

Hi Erin,

The picture is fine for now. I like the one on top much better than the other one. It would be foolish to reshoot now since you don't have an agent and you can't possibly predict what kind of pictures your new agent will want. (And just so you know, agents don't always require new clients to take new pictures.)

Now let's say you were my new client. I would probably go with this shot and see what kind of response it gets. The L.A. "look" is much more relaxed and your shot is a little "posey" for my taste. But it certainly wouldn't prevent me from signing you.

And as for extra work, NO. Extra work should never, ever be listed on a resume. Working as an extra is not the same as acting. I'm pretty sure your new teacher Ivana doesn't teach extra technique. Only amatuers list extra work on their resume. You'd be better off spotlighting great teachers like Ivana and maybe some good stage work.

Good luck and welcome to the party!

Thank you! I appreciate your response. It was very helpful.

I just booked a job for tomorrow (another extra gig, which I promise you I WON'T put on my resume ), but it will give me my third SAG voucher. Yay! I feel better knowing you think my photos will suffice for now so I don't have to worry about getting them re-done before I find representation.

Thanks again,

Erin

CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm glad you nailed down your SAG card. That's awesome! And just in time for the possible strike...