Is a headshot neccesary?

[forni-kate]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 4:49pm

I recently got accepted into the Stratford Festival's summer program. Along with all my personalal info I need to send them, they requested a recent photograph or headshot so that they can cast the scenes we'll be doing before we get there (I guess they just assume everyone will be at the same skill level...).

So it doesn't say I NEED a headshot, but do y'all think I should get one anyways? I mean, I'll need a good one for my university applications next year, but I just barely have enough to cover getting headshots at the moment...

And question #2, how much to headshots usually cost?

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 5:32pm

I'm not sure how much headshots cost. I guess a regualr photoo would do fine. But headshots would be good just to have for the future.

[astonishing1985]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 5:56pm

I don't think a headshot should be necessary, but even for my college applications I just sent a photograph my mom took of me (it technically was a "headshot" just wasn't professional)

[dramaqueen3]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 6:07pm

It doesn't sound like a headshot is really necessary here, but you'll definitely want one for colleges. also, see if you know any body who as connections to a local photographer who can get you a discount. my first set was done for next to nothing by an old family friend and my second set was done by a member of our church also pretty cheaply. so making connections w. photographers is definitely the way to go.

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 6:46pm

You can take pretty decent headshots with a plain ol' digital. Example <------

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 5/9/06 at 6:55pm

Invest in some good headshots.... they're something worth having, especially if you're serious about doing theatre.

[chasef2008]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 11:34am

I own a photography studio and one of my specialties is Theatre Headshots. They range at different prices. Most of the time you will only need to get 8x10s. I charge $12/8x10 but prices vary from studio to studio. I would suggest only doing black and white headshots. No color prints. Those are generally used for model headshots not theatrical headshots. Most actors will need two headshots comedy and theatrical. I would only use the comedy if you are auditioning for a specific comic role, otherwise I would use the theatrical. I did a photoshoot once for a young man who was going into acting. He was a very comic person with a bright personality, and I wanted to show that. I got some really good theatrical shots then I told him to just pose at random and I would take the shot. I wanted to view his crazy side. He started posing making funny faces, and comedic poses. I took about 16 shots of him just acting silly. They turned out to be really good. He used them for an audition and the director really liked them. I would highly suggest going to a professional photographer. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT just give a friend a disposable camera and have them take the headshots. BAD IDEA!! With a professional they will retouch your photos, etc. that will make them look 100x better! If you are going to waste the time with taking headshots do it right the first time and get them done professionaly.

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 5/10/06 at 7:05pm

Whoa, what I meant was that the headshots obviously don't have to be really professional from what they said.

I wouldn't get headshots too early, because you will probably look different in a short time.

[chasef2008]

Posted: 5/11/06 at 2:47pm

You will probably need to update your headshots every 12 months, if not before that. Especially if you get something majorly changed. I would suggest getting them updated every 6 months. If you don't do alot with acting then you maynot have to do them that often. :)

[TweetyBird]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 7:14am

My freelance agent in New York told me that you need color even for theater now. black and whites are ok but now they tend to want color so i would go with color ones.

[chasef2008]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 2:21pm

Depending on the audition. If you're auditioning for a big part...like with Broadway or something I would go with Black and white. It's better to do black and white if they don't request that you use color. Just to be on the safe side I would use black and white unless they tell you different. It's better to be traditional than over-rated.

[teh_pretty]

Posted: 5/12/06 at 6:43pm

It's popular for people with stand-out features (ie, red hair, or ice blue eyes) to use colour headshots, but it's still very common to see black and whites. Not a big deal.

As for the original question, I figure a photo of yourself will do, as long as it's in "headshot style."

Have fun in the program, I hear it's great!