Hi,

I'm new to the industry and had a question about when I should spend money to get a high-priced, professional comp card. I want to be sure I get what I pay for from a photographer the agencies like. When looking for representation, should I first pay more than $1000 (about the going rate) for my headshot and comp card shots and all the accessories to create a real good submission for the agents? Or should I just submit the various digital photos I've acquired and wait until I get representation to work with the agent to find the right photographer through the agency I sign with to get everything done?

I have a little more knowledge of the modeling industry, so I'm kind of going on what I've researched in that regard. When submitting to a Film/TV agency, do you even need a comp card or just a headshot?

Thanks in advance for any information on the matter.

A GOOD headshot and resume with some credits are what you need, at the minimum, to submit to an acting agent. You should also have a reel for TV/Film agents.

quote:

Originally posted by ChopperMnotXL:
I have a little more knowledge of the modeling industry, so I'm kind of going on what I've researched in that regard. When submitting to a Film/TV agency, do you even need a comp card or just a headshot?

Actors don't have Comp Cards. Only Models use Comp Cards. If you send a Comp Card to a Film/TV agency, they'll probably assume you are only a model. (They may also assume, rightly or otherwise, that you can't act.) Don't spend a fortune on photos. $1000??!!! Just say "no"! Your agent may want you to have more than one photo, and you'll probably find it useful to have them when creating promotional material (i.e., postcards and other advertisement), but you can get excellent professional photos for considerably less than $1000. (And hey, if you have the looks to be a model, you might want to try and break into that area too. But it's not acting. And if you have the looks to be a model, and get a really great headshot, you probably won't need more than one pic for acting.)

Oh, and get in an acting class, and learn to act so you won't be one of those models who can't act.

Keep gathering knowledge. You're doing great.

quote:

Originally posted by ChopperMnotXL:
Hi,

I'm new to the industry and had a question about when I should spend money to get a high-priced, professional comp card.
...
I have a little more knowledge of the modeling industry, so I'm kind of going on what I've researched in that regard.

As other respondent mentioned, actors don't usually use comp cards.

We do, but usually have only sent them to people that already knew us. We use them as if they were ordinary postcards. 6x4, printed one side only. Some that we have sent out are on our site below. Site below is NOT where we send CD and agents.