Getting Headshots..and an Agent?

[bwguyhottie]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:04am

I'm heading off in the fall to begin college (majoring in theatre). Should I have professional Headshots already? I don't have any...would it be advantageous to get them soon? I was thinking of asking for some for Christmas.

Also...how do you get an agent? Do you audition for them? Contact them yourself...

Thank you so much!!!

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:16am

If you are concentrating mainly on your education do not shell out a lot for a head shot. However if you plan to persue professional work while at school and you have the money you should invest in a nice one.

The agent search is more a question of where you are. Check out the local agents on-line before you go in. Most just want you to submit a photo/resume and "they'll call you."

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:19am

There are usually little books in the larger cities with the local agent info, or ask your department head.

And do not go by my headshot (see photo at left) it was done by my step-daughter's fiance at our family picnic last week and has not got me even a job at the Wal-Mart.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:22am

honestly, if you're a student, the best and cheapest way to go is through a student photographer.
Lots of them want to do actors headshots. You both win.
And really, if you get someone with talent, you can't tell the difference between a student shot and a pro one.

[etoile]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:53am

Sueleen, have you applied at Target? Read somewhere that a new one just opened.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:58am

In Batesville? (Arkansas?)

[etoile]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 1:15am

My mistake. I thought you were sunning on Long Island. You do look like you're ready for your closeup.

Batesville? That IS WalMart country. Can you throw a quarter in Arkansas with hitting one?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 1:17am

You can't throw a quarter without hitting ME.

[etoile]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 1:22am

Should one aim for the cup or the tiara crown?

[rclocalz]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 8:45am

Being in college right now and having an agent, my experience is that you really don't need an agent until your out of college. A lot of the offerings that my agent contacts me about I am not able to do due to school work so it just makes everyone frustrated. I find that I can find shows that fit my school life just as good by myself and you don't have to dish out the 10% to your agent if you just go independently. Now right after college, you definitley should audition for an agent since it will be a full time thing. But this is just my small opinion and some will probably disagree.

I definitley agree that you should probably go with a student photographer for headshots. I spent $400 on pro headshots one year and then $35 on student headshots and the student shots looked a lot better and was exactly what I was looking for.

[judy_in_disguise]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 9:33am

I agree.
I ditched the agent while I'm away at university. First of all because I'm across the province from Toronto, and secondly because I want to finish school first- I don't want to be tempted to put it on hold for anything.
I still go out looking for work independently, like regional stuff and summer stuff, and it can be done.
And definately go with the student shots for now. Hopefully you will be pleasently surprised.

Posted: 7/22/04 at 10:54am

Sueleen, LOVE your tiara.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 11:48am

ditch the university and take the agent. You'll spend most of your time in theatre classes where they babble to you about how to get an agent anyway. Seems pointless to me

[orion59]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:18pm

I agree, don't go to college. Do not go to acting classes and listen to pointless babble. Get yourself out there with no instruction and nothing to back you up and you too can spend your days online hoping that you'll be discovered on a message board.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:30pm

NYU is right, as always. Don't bother with skule. Just put on a cheap Marilyn Monroe cousume, get your ass down to the local Planet Hollywood and "you, too,can be a star!"

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:32pm

Right?

Who needs an education? Everything you need to know you learn at the Puerto Rican Day Parade and riding in subways with trannies!!

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:35pm

If you have nothing better to do than turn a innocent post into a personal attack on me than I think you need to go get help. I never said not to go to college. For your information I am taking college and acting classes right now.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:39pm

Get your money back.

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:39pm

'ditch the university and take the agent'

Um...that seems pretty unambiguous.

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:42pm

Dear bwguyhottie:

Don't spend your money on headshots. Just head on over to the visitors center at Time's Square and keep passing by the camera. Then just post the pic here. An agent will call you immediately and you will be "a professional actor".

Love,

Renee

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:43pm

Could you define DITCH?

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:47pm

R-E-N- oohh, I thought you said B****!

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:47pm

I guess I should have made my point clearer for you to properly comprehend. In my opinion if the person above is offered to sign with an agent then they should go for it. Have a nice day

[robbiej]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:49pm

And now...onto some real advice for bdwyguyhottie.

Yes. Get headshots done. They will help you when it comes to auditioning for summer stock and such. Plus, if you come to NYC for an internship one summer, you'll have them on you and you can cast your line in the big bad city (avoid at all costs the freshman fifteen. keeping the 'hottie' part of your name will only help!)

The idea of a student photographer is excellent, but, as it is with buying a new car and picking a plastic surgeon, do your research. Meet with a couple of them and see with which one you click best. Natural light is wonderful, solid shirts with a texture are recommended and please remember that the picture is representative of you and not this photographers artistic life up until this point.

As for agents, unless you are going to be in a major theatrical/film center, I'd advise against it. Concentrate on being a strong, well-rounded actor. HOWEVER, if an opportunity comes your way you feel you can't pass up, take it. They don't always come along.

[etoile]

Posted: 7/22/04 at 12:52pm

Spoken like a professional.