Get Your Best Shot!

UPDATE

Wendell Burton

For some major productions, the process of selecting actors for sometimes hundreds of parts may often require specialized staff. While the last word remains with the people in artistic and production charge, a Casting Director or "CD" (and sometimes the Casting Associate) are in charge of most of the daily work involved in this process during pre-production. The "CD" remains as a liaison between director, actors and their agents/managers and the studio/network to get the characters in the script cast. Some Casting Directors build an impressive career as has the casting director on board for "The Call", Barbara Brinkley! Barbara Brinkley has been responsible for the casting of several acclaimed local productions and a few names you may recognize such as Walker, Texas Ranger! Though Wendell does hope to use as many of the Lakewood Players as possible, casting is open to ALL!

WARMUP

Mariel Yera-Smithwick

Pass Clap is a classic warm-up. Everyone is in a circle and the leader starts by throwing a hand clap to her right neighbor, and the neighbor passes the clap to his right neighbor. Once the clap is flowing nicely around the room the leader added other actions including a bear growl and a "wooo" complete with hand throwing. The goal is to keep it smooth and even in sound. This helps build concentration and cooperation. Even though different things were going on around the circle, each actor had to concentrate on his/her partner for this to work. The actor should be sensitive to others and flexible in their thinking. This activity helped the group gain self-confidene and acceptance.

YOUR BEST SHOT

Jesse Adams

Casting directors: buyers of talent

Agent: seller of talent

Tools of the trade:headshot, resume, business card, phone, transportation, internet

Resume...

Here are the handouts that were passed out:

The important difference between an acting resume and a professional resume is that you don't want to detail your experience. Not only will that take up too much room, but you want to leave as many opportunities for conversation as possible. Print your headshot on the back of your resume, this way casting directors can IMMEDIATELY connect a face with a name. Be sure your headshot is current.

When choosing a photographer for your head shots, here are a few things to consider.

First, you should narrow your choices to photographers who shoot in a style that you like, and whose photos attract you. Don’t shoot with your friend (or your friend’s photographer) just because the price is low, or because your friend likes the photographer.  Make sure that casting directors and agents like the photographer’s work.

Next, you need to find out if you get along with the photographer. Schedule an interview, and do more that just look at the portfolio (you can always do that online). Your photo shoot can last a few hours, are you going to be nervous around this person? Do you like them? Can you hold a conversation with them? Rapport leads to better photos–shoot with a photographer that you enjoy being around and your photos will show it.  

A note on price: never choose a photographer based on price.  Your headshots can make or break your career–you want to make sure you are picking a photographer for the right reasons, and price (expensive or cheap) is not necessarily one of them.

Before taking head shots...

Define your style. Be as natural as possible. Get plenty of rest. Drink a lot of water. Dry clean your clothes. Don't be cheap. Show up early, bring music, let the photographer do his/her job, be relaxed, bring a friend.


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