Your pic is your calling card
Welcome back toAuditioning – on the line!. This month I impose and encourage our diligent readers to address (and assess) your picture, headshot, or “portrait” (for those who fancy a more formal term). This one of a kind element in your arsenal of show biz tools, I believe, is the single most important item that one should invest in when it comes to building your portfolio of talent, credits, experience and business sensibility. Your “pic” is your calling card!
You study your whole life and put every bit of yourself “on the line” when it comes to fine tuning, perfecting and showcasing your talents. You knock ‘em dead at your auditions, they love you, they want you – they ask for your picture and resume – and you hopefully hand over a representation of your image with a strong sense of confidence.
Keep in mind, that your audition and talent portion of the day is but left to memory and subjective judgment after you leave the room. All that is tangible, something for them to actually hold and remind themof “how amazing you were” is —- that 8×10 mug-shot of little ole you.
If this picture is a poor representation, then you risk the chance of being passed over. This “calling card” needs to not only show you off at your best, but, also represent how you honestly and truthfully look..
I cannot stress enough that if your picture does not look like you, then you need new pics. For example – If you now have short hair and your picture was taken with long hair, you are doing yourself a disservice by circulating pictures that are not a true representation of your current look and likeness.
If your photos have been so retouched that you could be on the cover of “Vogue”, yet, in person, you really belong on the cover of “Housewives International”, then once again, you should rethink what your picture, along with its qualityand reality based image of you - is!
We are not always the best judge of what we look like and that is the tricky part when it comes to selecting and getting good representative pictures, but you can use this simple test. Hold your current picture up next to your face, side by side, look in the mirror, and if you are unrecognizable at a quick glance, without 95% similarity, than chances are you are not putting forward the most advantageous or practical impression of yourself.
Pictures are not cheap, which is yet another reason to select good quality images that can last, and represent you for a period of time. When it comes time to re-invent your look, or the years have added a few grey hairs or “life lines” – save your pennies to have new pictures taken. Leaving a picture of what you looked like when you were 19, does not help anyone.
Your pic is your calling card
It really is quite simple, look like your photo. It should become your ultimate business calling card. Your picture speaks a thousand words, exemplifies and reminds those casting –- who you are, your type, look, ethnicity, color of hair, eyes, great smile, more serious look, perfect teeth, older, younger, can play the girl next door, not to mention a constant reminder of your talent, and much much more.
My best advise is: Invest in your pics that have the ability to brand your image and talents in the minds of those who have the power to hire and cast. einbrennen Your picture can be the ultimate decision factor and marketing tool when it comes to getting the part.
Remember, the art of auditioning is quite subjective to opinion and taste so make it easy for those you jump through hoops for, and make this little “souvenir gift” a top priority in yourAuditioning – on the line!portfolio
coming up next month:
