So, I'm overdue for new headshots. I will admit it--but of course there is not money in the coffers for that at this moment and probably won't be until summer at least. And now, for whatever reason, I am just not getting auditions, period--was getting them like crazy in the fall, booked a couple great student film parts.

So my thought was, would it be crazy to just put a different shot up that I liked from the last session on Actors Access and submit it even if I don't have a hard copy and just see if it gets me in the room? I don't really want to have more printed because of course I still have the ones I originally chose, but just to have something different to point and click.

I don't think that's such a great idea. If your shot was getting you called in, a new one can just be confusing to the people who know you and like you. I read a story about a guy whose auditions dried up all of a sudden when he changed his shot. He asked a favorite CD why he'd stopped calling him in.

"I haven't seen your headshot." the CD told him. Headshots are like branding. If you like Coke, you reach for that red can every time. They've been using that red logo for like a hundred years!

Things are slow right now. I'm frustrated too. Fluctuation is a part of this business. Hang in there.

I say go for it. If you have other shots or looks that were great but went unused, why not try them out?

A lot of times people choose or disregard pictures based solely on little issues they have with nuances of their faces that only they themselves notice and in doing so often overlook pictures that may have more mass appeal.

I find this happens ALL the time. I recommend a picture for a client that I think has overall great composition where he/she also looks great and exudes great energy, and they dismiss it because their nose or chin looks weird from that angle or it's their "bad side" or something.

I have 8 pictures on my Actors Access/Breakdowns, and only one that I have hardcopy of. My agents and manager say that is perfectly normal and fine, since nowadays hardcopy is pretty much ONLY used once you already have the audition. If you are amazing in the room, no casting director would be like "But wait a second, THIS is NOT the headshot I chose from Breakdown Express! Next!". You'll be fine.

quote:

Originally posted by rejoining:
I have 8 pictures on my Actors Access/Breakdowns, and only one that I have hardcopy of. My agents and manager say that is perfectly normal and fine, since nowadays hardcopy is pretty much ONLY used once you already have the audition. If you are amazing in the room, no casting director would be like "But wait a second, THIS is NOT the headshot I chose from Breakdown Express! Next!". You'll be fine.

Funny! I like. Yeah, I might actually get new ones sooner rather than later--I went to Hoebermann last time, mighty pricey, but it's getting to be time for new ones and she's got a recession special, so I want to take advantage. I was going to go possibly with a dude, but of everyone whose online book I've seen I just like hers best. This is of course all contingent on me figuring out my "brand" stat. Darn image problems!

quote:

Originally posted by ellennyc:

quote:

Originally posted by rejoining:
I have 8 pictures on my Actors Access/Breakdowns, and only one that I have hardcopy of. My agents and manager say that is perfectly normal and fine, since nowadays hardcopy is pretty much ONLY used once you already have the audition. If you are amazing in the room, no casting director would be like "But wait a second, THIS is NOT the headshot I chose from Breakdown Express! Next!". You'll be fine.

Funny! I like. Yeah, I might actually get new ones sooner rather than later--I went to Hoebermann last time, mighty pricey, but it's getting to be time for new ones and she's got a recession special, so I want to take advantage. I was going to go possibly with a dude, but of everyone whose online book I've seen I just like hers best. This is of course all contingent on me figuring out my "brand" stat. Darn image problems!

Though I haven't been able to see Dennis's book. Dennis, what software does your site use? My evil computer will not let me see a bunch of sites and I think it's a plug-in I'm missing.

Hey Ellen,

My site uses flash. I just launched a new one. Let me know if you still have problems with it. I can send you a simple photo gallery with my portfolio.