Your Headshot Should not be Selfie Taken in the John

Five tips for actors from a Producer who's seen it all.

The oversize envelope landed on my desk with a thud, unremarkable but for the impenetrable cellophane barrier that encased it. “Frah-gee-lay…It’s French!” I quipped in my best Darren McGavin Voice. “It’s gotta be important”. I ripped at the monstrosity with my fingers, tore at it with my teeth, digging at the contents like a kid after a Cracker Jack prize. Pulling it from its tape-encapsulated wrapping, I gazed incredulously at the photo within. Grinning back at me from his reflection in the bathroom mirror, were the pearly whites of a wanna-be actor. In full view behind him: The bathroom stall. I wondered what he was thinking as I tossed his snapshot into the trash.

All the world may be a stage, but to make that coin as an actor, you’ll need more than a funny foreign accent and a cell phone self-portrait. The availability and quality of photo technology may have you dreaming of becoming the next Richard Avedon or Annie Leibovitz, but if you really want the job, avoid the temptation of sharing that restroom selfie with the producer who’s looking to hire.

Consider these five simple tips before you answer the ad.

Use a professional headshot photographer for your photos, not the bathroom mirror or your boyfriend’s iPhone. Their task is to make you look good and they know what works. Even if you’re perfect for the part, and even know the director’s neighbor, odds are you’ll never make it to the audition with an amateur-looking headshot.
Be prepared. I once hired an actor who looked the part and nailed the audition. When we rolled the cameras on shoot day, he didn’t know his lines. His constant screw-ups eventually threw off the other actors, which made for an extra long day. Needless to say, he wasn’t asked back and his agent got an earful.
Lie to me. This is your only job. Can’t get out of work? Tell me you’re booked. As far as I’m concerned, this is your only job. I am your only client. This is your only part. Don’t tell me you’re only available after four and on weekends. I want someone who is committed to my script 100%. Make me believe it’s you.
Take time to label. When submitting for a role, don’t label your headshot “Headshot” and your resume “Resume”. The file name should always have your name in it. I may get hundreds of submissions for a project. If I can’t find you, I can’t call you.
Buy a second suit. I don’t always have a budget for wardrobe, so it helps if you have more than one outfit to show me.

Finally, show up, be on time, and don’t be demanding. Time is money and if you’re late, the production’s late. You may be the best actor on the East Coast, but showing up late can ruin your reputation and cost you call-backs. Keeping these tips in mind might not get you the job, but they’ll help you avoid the reject pile due to simple, needless mistakes. And who knows, it might even save you an awkward moment with your camera in the bathroom.

(Visit Mike Sobola’s website at www.mikesobola.com)