hey there everyone
just fyi--i've tried to search for my answer on the board before posting, so forgive me if i'm asking a repetitive question.
i got my most recent headshots taken in feb 2008 here in nyc that i'm pretty pleased with. but at the time i was heavily pursuing dance and was going after a much more "commercial" type of headshot. so most of my shots are smiley, showing off my body, etc. well, now i've begun acting instead and have been cast in a few things, and i'm starting to think that maybe it's time for new shots??
in regards to different looks, about how many should you go after and have large quantities reprinted? for example: if an audition posting is seeking a girl next door type who's kind of nerdy but your headshots only show you looking your absolute best, and opposite from that type, what do you do? i had an audition (and got the part) of a girl next door nerdy type, and just by chance, i HAD to wear my glasses to the audition because of a contact lens emergency. and each time they called me back, i still had the glasses. when they finally cast me, the director wanted me to keep the glasses for the film. so if i get new headshots taken should i take a few with my glasses on? should you take a few shots that are a bit more edgy to show a "tough" look? i want to try for a variety of roles, but i dont see how that can happen if all my photos convey the same kind of look.
also, in my most recent headshots, my hair is a tad bit past my chin, and now it is about an inch past my collar bone, but pretty much the same style. is it necessary to retake my photos if i plan on keeping my hair this length?
thanks everyone!

I will very likely be the minority opinion on this, but I think you really only need two shots (and I know plenty of actors who use only one).

I think that one smiley, bright "commercial" shot and one that is more serious (or, simply, more neutral) will basically cover you.

I have a few reasons for suggesting this:

1) I think in the vast majority of cases, you can pretty easily narrow down your submission choice to one of these two basic looks.

2) There are a lot of things that go into casting decisions beyond your photo, as your own posted experience shows. In the example you wrote about, your headshot only needed to do one thing: get you seen in the first place. Once you have an audition you can, as you did, throw on your glasses (and/or an appropriate audition outfit) to suggest the character. (I am *not* suggesting a costume, mind you, just something that seems appropriate for the part you are being seen for)

3) I've seen actors drive themselves crazy with three, four, five or more different headshots. ("Which one do I submit for this job?") I think that it's an unnecessary step.

I think the best thing you can do is get one or two shots that look like you at your best and use those. In my opinion, a simple, clean photo that captures good energy will take you a lot further than a shot that is aiming to capture a specific 'type'.

It is expensive to get multiple shots retouched and printed and, in my experience, the benefits don't outway the costs.


Finally, a quick anecdote: I was at an audition for a play on Friday and the actor sitting next to me was deciding which of his four different photos to give to the auditors. What made me chuckle was that there was so little difference among the images he was considering. Yes, they had slightly different looks and slightly different feels, but I believe the time and energy he put in to deciding which of these shots was the best choice would have been better spent looking over the sides!

I know some others here will probably disagree with part or all of this, so please take all the advice under consideration, and remember that this is just one person's opinion.

Best of luck to you!

If only two headshots were all that were necessary to create a well-rounded, multi-faceted actor's portfolio, it would make my life a lot easier.

But it's been my experience that casting directors don't have much imagination. In other words, if they don't see it in your picture, you don't get the part. That's why I'm always so role specific-- I want to make you as easy as possible to cast. I don't want to rely on their imagination, I don't even want them to think. They have only two seconds to make up their minds about you, and that's not a lot of time.

Here's a link to my site that more thoroughly explains my philosophy, in pictures: http://www.robertkim.com/index_.php?idp=10

While this is an extreme example of what a well-trained theater actor is capable of, if it conjures in your mind the specific roles I had in mind for this actor, then I consider this headshot session a success.

www.robertkim.com
View our all-new “Before & After” headshots, online Friday, June the 19th
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

Robert, I know a few people who are your customers, and I have to say that I love your work.

I hope to someday soon be able to avail you of your services.

Thanks for all the wonderful compliments!

P.S.-- Your check is in the mail.

thanks to everyone for their responses. i was leaning more towards keeping it simple, so i think i'll just continue doing that. thanks again!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Robert Kim Photography:


But it's been my experience that casting directors don't have much imagination. ]

QUOTE]

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Andrew, I did used to believe as you did but unfortunately, Robert speaks the truth. Not only are they (casting) less imaginative than they should be, they tend to be a little lazy. You have to really shove it in their face sometimes. Christina Ricci fought for MONTHS for her role in "Black Snake Moan", for example. They just did not consider her sexy enough. They sent them piles of photos of her depicting her as a sexual woman and they finally caved. But it had to be shoved in their face, as it were.

Michael Chiklis in "The Shield"- he had to shave his head and twist their arm for months before they could even visualize him being anyone but Tony Scali on "The Commish", so different were the two characters.

These days, in this overly saturated market, the need to be as clear as possible that you have the means to play a part is crucial. As Robert also said, you have a mere few seconds. Make the most of it.

I too must agree with Robert and Miss Stone. Excellent advice!