What are Postcards used for do you send them to agents and managers or CD's or both? How are they supposed to look where could I see an example of them/get them?

You can get them the same place you get your headshots reproduced (Reproductions, City Repro, or some other place like that). It should probably be your favorite headshot, the one you used when submitting to CDs, agents etc. If you don't plan to send alot, and you have a great home printer, you can print your own. Of course, you have to consider printer ink cost, that can be considerable. I'm not exactly sure when to send them, but I have seen that topic discussed somewhere here before.

There are a number of uses for photo postcards.

You can send them as "Thank You"s to agents or casting directors you meet with or audition for.

You can put information on the back regarding an upcoming show, reading, etc.

You can send to CDs with information about your new agent or manager.

You can use them as business cards when you make an industry connection at a class, social event, what have you.

They are a useful thing to have.

When I do a photo shoot with clients, we often end up with a few images that I like to call "the postcard shot." These are often images that wouldn't work well as a main headshot, but can be great images for postcards. They are usually shots in which the actor has his or her eyes closed, is laughing, looking off camera, etc.

A couple client examples:


http://farm4.static.flickr.com...62967_33ea33dc59.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com...95181_b51ecf2228.jpg

Thank you that helps!

You are mostly supposed to send them to an agent after you submit to them a few days later.

I have a question though

If you just submitted your headshot to the "Theatrical Department" then who exactly do you send the post card to?

quote:

Originally posted by FaithLove:
You are mostly supposed to send them to an agent after you submit to them a few days later.

I have a question though

If you just submitted your headshot to the "Theatrical Department" then who exactly do you send the post card to?

You ALWAYS address your stuff to the specific agent of the department. You can find out by going to their website (if they have one) or looking in the Agency Guide put out by Breakdown Services (most accurate one that I've seen)

No offense Andrew, but the "postcard shot" is a dumb idea in my opinion.

When following up with an agency or casting director, I send them a postcard with the SAME headshot that I gave to them. This creates a visual anchoring. If I send them a postcard with a completely different headshot, they might go "who is this?" I believe in making sure that they DO remember who you are out of many mailings.

quote:

Originally posted by MomBackStage:
What are Postcards used for do you send them to agents and managers or CD's or both? How are they supposed to look where could I see an example of them/get them?

This is how I design mine:

-I put my NAME, CELL PHONE NUMBER, and EMAIL at the top left of my postcard. I DON'T put it at the bottom because the post office puts this weird barcode strip on the bottom part of the post card.

-On the majority of the LEFT side, I leave a blank space below my name and contact information so I can put an AVERY 2X2 5/8 rectangular sticker in that blank space so it NEVER goes out of date (well until I need new headshots at least). I can print "Seeking Represention!" "See Me in this show" etc. Sometimes to make the postcard even more personal, I handwrite a brief letter within that rectangular sticker.

-On the Whole RIGHT side, I have my headshot.

-As far as what headshot to use, when following up with an agency or casting director, I send them a postcard with the SAME headshot that I gave to them. This creates a visual anchoring. If I send them a postcard with a completely different headshot, they might go "who is this?" I believe in making sure that they DO remember you out of many mailings.

Actually one poster followed the way I design my postcards.

I, however, don't put actor/artist and don't put my url at the bottom. I put that at the top left with the rest of my contact info.

What do most people write on the postcard that they send after just doing a mass mail to agents/managers?(trying to get an idea of what my daughter should write )
Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by MomBackStage:
What do most people write on the postcard that they send after just doing a mass mail to agents/managers?(trying to get an idea of what my daughter should write )
Thanks!

I use a postcard similar to the one above and put a printed rectangular sticker that says "Seeking Representation" when following up after a mailing.

quote:

Originally posted by TRUTHTELLER59:
No offense Andrew, but the "postcard shot" is a dumb idea in my opinion.

When following up with an agency or casting director, I send them a postcard with the SAME headshot that I gave to them. This creates a visual anchoring. If I send them a postcard with a completely different headshot, they might go "who is this?" I believe in making sure that they DO remember who you are out of many mailings.

No offense taken. It's just that not everyone is sending a postcard to follow up on a previous mailing.

Often, postcards are sent advertising a gig already booked - come see me in a show, I'll be on such-and-such TV episode airing this week, my film is in a festival, etc.

In those case, IMO, a cute, unusual, non-headshotty shot can serve you quite well.

I do think you make a good point about keeping images consistent and 'driving home the brand' - always very important to do this.