As someone with a kid in the industry I have to say that this is pretty much the standard for kids theatrical headshots and I am in the majority thinking that is a fantastic headshot. That is one good looking kid who will get called in often using that very headshot. My kid auditions frequently and at every theatrical audition where there are boys, that is what the headshots look like.

Here's one of the hottest young male actors on the scene today and you can see his headshot falls right in line with the kid from this thread:
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1052546816/nm1910255

I think showing "energy" is more for the commercial shot than the legit shot.

Actorsmommy- Thank you for the reply and kind words. I hope that this headshot will get my son into the Atlanta market. Currently he is represented in Nashville and its a small market.Its not easy when you are not in NY or LA.I also checked out the link..thanks!

quote:

Here's one of the hottest young male actors on the scene today and you can see his headshot falls right in line with the kid from this thread:
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1052546816/nm1910255

I think showing "energy" is more for the commercial shot than the legit shot.

Bingo. As your link points out, it's about range. This is not a "withdrawn" look, it's a theatrical shot that shows a completely different side of the commercial shot, which is what you want in your arsenal.

Good luck!

Hey,
That's an excellent photograph. The lighting definitely captures his eyes and it also brings out his hair texture & color. It is a good choice of clothing as it brings out his blue eyes. Great posture. I would say matte on this one. Good luck!

Sincerely,
Julie Chase
http://www.actorgear.com

Just got back from Atlanta where my son did a workshop with the casting director from Nickolodeon and she used his shot as an example to the group to see how a picture should be....so THANK YOU for all the help and comments!!!

Hey Socobobo-Was the work shop called anything in particular, or was it through an organization? If is was that one casting director at Nickelodean, she is the queen of all casting. And also, how did you hear about this workshop? Thanks, and I'm glad someone out there validated your photog's idea of theatrical shot.

quote:

Originally posted by Zampano:
This is not a "withdrawn" look

I am the one who called this boy's photograph overly somber and 'withdrawn.' Suitable for very specific roles calling for this degree of intensity, but certainly not my first choice as the primary headshot for an 11-year old child.

You'll forgive me if I do not see a happy, confident youngster here, but a kid who's parakeet just died or someone who just got spanked.

Since you disagree so strongly with my description of this little boy's energy level (as depicted below), I would very much like you to describe in detail exactly how YOU would describe the energy of this particular shot? http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/9093/boy1a.jpg

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

I like the energy and connection of the shot. Not a huge fan of the arm placement. But I could definitely see him as Oliver. Or some kind of orphan.

You just reiterated my previous post: "Suitable for very specific roles calling for this kind of intensity," in this case, exactly the kind role you just described so perfectly-- a dirty, rejected street urchin who's down on his luck.

BUT FOR HIS ONLY LEGIT HEADSHOT???

Why on earth would anyone want to limit this child's potential roles to such a narrow range? This is my point, which so far, not a single respondent wants to acknowledge.

Still waiting on Zampano...

nonstagemom- the workshop was with Sharon Lieblein from Nick and my son said it was the best workshop he has done. We found out about it through The Chez Group in Atlanta. Chezgroup.com I think she only comes to Atlanta once a year.

It's a great theatrical headshot. He's connected, and portrays a very strong energy. If this picture were submitted to me, I would HAVE to see this boy.

Use the shot, you won't regret it.

Good luck. But you won't need it.

Ron

Socobobo, anyway, Is that the Atlanta agency that you are going to work with? Or because you live in the south (we lived in Charleston for years before we had to move to the North for job reasons) you are in the loop from your current agency? I've never seen anything that great around here. All the good workshops seem to be in Texas and Atlanta.

quote:

Originally posted by Ron Brown Photography:
It's a great theatrical headshot. He's connected, and portrays a very strong energy. If this picture were submitted to me, I would HAVE to see this boy.
Use the shot, you won't regret it.
Ron

For the 100th and final time... who said this child should not use this headshot??

Where is it written that he shouldn't have at least one photograph that shows more energetic, "little boy" emotion?

I'm having a bad feeling about this little "headshot clique" I see developing here, and I VERY glad I'm not a member.

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

Robert...WHERE in this thread did anyone say the kid should not also have a headshot with happy, little boy energy?

Reading through this thread, I see comments like "This could easily find its way into a portfolio," "It's all about range", and "It's part of the actor's arsenal" that would be complemented by a happy commercial shot (i.e. a shot that WOULD show the kid smiling and happy and full of energy). No one said that this shot should be the boy's ONLY headshot.

Lots of people did, however, express the opinion that it's a great headshot, that he's connecting well with the camera, and that it's eye-catching and compelling.

That doesn't make them a "clique" - it just means that a bunch of people happen to like this particular headshot. That's all.

Thank you for your detailed explanation TMR, but I must respectively disagree.

You'll hear me speak on the power of "inference" on this board, and this is a classic example.

Here is a comment on this same thread posted by 'Actorsmommy'--

quote:

Originally posted by Actorsmommy:
I think showing "energy" is more for the commercial shot than the legit shot.

This is totally and utterly false. Energy level is important in ALL headshots, regardless of the type. Yet no one disputes her claim.

Here's another post by 'Zampano'--

quote:

Originally posted by Zampano:
This is not a "withdrawn" look, it's a theatrical shot that shows a completely different side of the commercial shot, which is what you want in your arsenal.

Once again, NO ONE on this entire board agrees (save DadinWestchester) that this photograph was far too serious for this child's primary headshot, as I have stressed from Page One. No mention is ever made by anyone that this is a limited or restrictive headshot, as I also have argued, only how "great" it is. Yet the quality of this headshot has never been in dispute.

Here is my original post, on precisely this subject--

quote:

Orginally posted by Robert Kim Photography:
I like this photo overall, but the energy is that of a serious, adult leading man.
Perhaps for a specific role ONLY, but otherwise inappropriate for a young child.

My aim, as always, is to bring a modicum of balance to what I read here, and this subject is no exception.

In my final response to Zampano's statement that this photo is definitely, "NOT A 'WITHDRAWN' LOOK," I strongly disagreed, while he steadfastly ignored my question. So for the record, I am re-posting that direct question for him, below:

quote:

Originally posted by Robert Kim Photography:
Since you disagree so strongly with my description of this little boy's energy level (as depicted below), I would very much like you to describe in detail exactly how YOU would describe the energy of this particular shot? http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/9093/boy1a.jpg

I have yet to receive a definitive answer.