articles you might like
The Difference Between Your Brand and Your Looks
[Acting Headshots Los Angeles by Vanie] There seems to be a lot of confusion around branding vs. looks. Actors seem to think if they hone in on their brand, they will, in turn, narrow their target-market; the biggest complaint being, “but I’m an actor and I can play a large range of characters.” DJ Rouse: Blue Collar / The Fixer or Mafia Greg Berg: BBQ Grandfather / Upscale Business CEO I’d like to clear things up. Clarifying your brand does not mean you can’t play a large range of characters. It just means you have more clarity on how to choose the range of characters you can play. ...
A Major Headshot Don’t is Now a Do
[Actor Headshots Los Angeles by Vanie] It’s hard to believe, but the 80’s are back! No, I’m not talking fashion-- I’m talking headshots. There was a time when uniforms were frowned upon by casting directors. Now, it seems more and more agents are asking for uniforms in headshots which means casting directors are responding to them. Tien Misler: Student / Edgy Heroine / Hipster Micci Tolliver: Hip Musician / Edgy Upscale Business I can’t speak to the 80’s comp cards (in black and white with different uniforms), but I can tell you why I think this trend is back now. No, it isn’t because...
Specific Looks Work, Until They Don’t
[LA Headshot Photographer Vanie] I’ve been shooting for over 25 years, and in that time, the one consistent piece of advice I’ve given is to make sure your headshots define specific characters you’ll be auditioning for. IT’S THE ONE ELEMENT ABOUT THE SUBMISSION PROCESS WHICH HASN’T CHANGED, while so much else has. In a pool of 5000-7000 digital submissions, when the casting community doesn’t already know you, if your headshot isn’t specific… you likely won’t get called in for that character. 😫 Alisha Martin: Edgy Down and Out / Blue Collar Mom / Hip Urban This is until you accrue...
Stereotypes: To Shoot or Not to Shoot?
[Best Headshots Los Angeles by Vanie] Every once in a while I get heat for posting headshots with descriptions like “Victim” or “Gangster”. The argument is that these are stereotypes of a minority group (based on their ethnicity, looks or gender), and by showcasing these looks, I am contributing to the industry’s biases against them. They’ll say I’m sending a clear message that, in order to be working actors, they need to stick to these stereotypes frowned upon by WOKE culture. Well, there is a lot to unpack in this argument. Ali Mohd: Army, Fighter, Terrorist / Hipster Shannon...