So I had new headshots done and my agent wants to have the agency logo on the left, name on the right, but also my height, hair and eye color below my name..... is this too much?.. is this standard? From reading other posts the logo and name are fine. Thoughts?

quote:

Originally posted by Cherry:
So I had new headshots done and my agent wants to have the agency logo on the left, name on the right, but also my height, hair and eye color below my name..... is this too much?.. is this standard? From reading other posts the logo and name are fine. Thoughts?

It is NOT standard (in New York or Hollywood anyway) for your physical stats to appear on your photo. I don't even think it's necessary to have that information on your resume, but some people do include it (usually at the insistence of agents). It's really weird, as far as I'm concerned, to specify your hair and eye color under your photo! Can't people see from your photo what color your hair and eyes are?! (...Unless it's a really bad photo, in which case you need new photos.) Sounds like maybe your agent is still living in the world of black & white headshots. (Um, make that the 1980s). Many agents want their logo on the front of photos. I only recommend doing that if the agent insists.

So, I'd explain to the agent why you don't think it's necessary to include your hair color and eye color on the front of the resume. (I'm still shaking my head in disbelief about that idea. For me, it's a no-no, as in "n-n-no, just say no". Reminds me of when actor Charlie Schlatter came to me to work on his resume in the 80s. He had included his stats and also put "Face: Clean Shaven". Really! I convinced him it wasn't necessary. He was 20. Now he's 43 and far wiser.)

It also just occurred to me that maybe your agent is a commercials-only agent and that they're one of those that submit actor photos without resumes (which I never think is a good idea!) That would justify them wanting their logo on the front. But as an ACTOR, you want to have the photo serve as your introduction ("here's what I look like, and here's my name"), and then you want them to turn it over to look at your resume to find out your qualifications and learn more about you. (...Including where to call to contact you... your agent's info.)

AND... if you like your agent, and want to continue to work with them... and they insist you do it their way... ya kinda gotta do it their way, so they'll continue to be happy about working with you. (I'd want to know if their unusual way of doing things is a request or if they insist that it must be that way. I know there's an L.A. agency who used to require their clients to print their resumes on gaudy yellow paper, under the assumption that they'd stand out. Whenever I saw any resumes from that agency, I always thought they stood out, but not in a good way.)

quote:

Originally posted by Cherry:
So I had new headshots done and my agent wants to have the agency logo on the left, name on the right, but also my height, hair and eye color below my name..... is this too much?.. is this standard? From reading other posts the logo and name are fine. Thoughts?

Is your agent paying for it? If not, tell them to f@#% off!

That is NOT standard! You put your stats on your resume which you staple to the back of the headshot.

Also, is you agent ATA or SAG Franchised?
http://www.sag.org/content/find-agent

If not, you might want to leave them if they're not State Licensed. If they are, report them.

In my new headshot, my hair and eyes are a lot darker, than in person (unless you have low light/same lighting).
My stats are still on the resume.

Thanks so much, I feel much better. I told my agent I didn't want the stats, plus it took away from my picture. I am paying for them to be printed. This agency is not sag franchised, but is licensed.

Thanks again!

Cheridy

If they're not paying for you to put the stats on the front of your headshot, start looking eslewhere. It'd be a waste of money for you to pay for headshots with the stats printed on the front.

What about putting your name and/or phone number on the front of the photo? Thoughts on that?

I think it's probably a good idea since then it's right there and easily available, but I'm not familiar with the standards - is this not a good thing to do?

quote:

Originally posted by Sarah Nicklin:
What about putting your name and/or phone number on the front of the photo? Thoughts on that?

I think it's probably a good idea since then it's right there and easily available, but I'm not familiar with the standards - is this not a good thing to do?

JUST the name. That should be the only thing that you should put on the front. ONLY put an Agency logo if they're paying for it! It can come off as tacky if you have your phone number on the front.

Also, what if you change phone number?

Put your CELL phone number on your resume which you staple to the back of the headshot.