A New Headshot Makes The Man (Or Woman)

A good headshot is what you need for a good calling card in Hollywood.  Your headshot identifies you visually and showcases your appearance.  The headshot helps brand your image to the industry.

It also stands a chance of making a first impression for you.  Many casting directors, agents and managers will find your headshot online before they meet you in person.  Think of the image as a giant business card for auditions and meetings.

Not sure what purpose a headshot serves?

A headshot is used to help actors book work.  They are 8x10 photos designed to showcase "your look" to casting directors, etc.  The headshot always includes your name on the bottom of the handout.  Your resume is attached to the back of the headshot.  Some people staple the resume but that always looks messy and cheap to me.  It's a much cleaner look if you tape the resume to the back of the headshot.

The resume includes such items of interest as:

*Vital stats (height, weight, eye color, etc.)
*A rundown of your acting experience (movies, TV shows, plays, commercials, etc.)
*The logos and contact info of your agent(s) and manager (if you have agent(s) and a manager!)
*Special skills (dialects, physical skills, etc.)
*Training (acting coaches, improv classes and such)
*Contact info

Many actors have more than one headshot ready at any any given time.  Sometimes actors like to have a "theatrical headshot" and a "commercial headshot" in order to fit the audition.  Also, some actors like to have different headshots to fit the mood of the audition:

*A serious photo for a dramatic role (but don't look like a serial killer!)
*A photo with a smile for comedy (smile but don't look like a maniac)
*A headshot with a "straight on" angle to highlight "the look" of the actor

Headshots are also important since actors love to use them as their social media profile photos.  It's a fact of life that employers check out the social media pages of potential new hires.  The entertainment industry is no different.  Social media plays a big part as managers and agents like to have clients that know how to promote themselves online.  A good headshot helps get your message across and creates a connection with people viewing your tweets, blogs and status updates.

It might seem impossible to get all of the necessary info listed above in a headshot.  Thankfully, it's not impossible with the right photographer.  A skilled photographer can include all of your needs in a photo that "screams you"!

It's also important to update your headshots every few years.  Kid actors change a lot as they grow and become teenagers and young adults.  Hairstyles change and you don't want to be perceived as being out of style.  Casting directors aren't big fans of headshots that make adult actors appear in their 30s and then they arrive looking their true (older) age.

Zach had a new headshot session about two weeks ago.  His look has changed as he continues to grow and mature through his teenage years.  It's the not the first time we've had to get new headshots for the kid.  Here's a quick rundown of his headshot history:

The Artist in his early acting days.  Still a baby face in this photo.

Barely in his teens in this shot.  Looking more confident in front of the camera.

I've always liked this photo.  As in the other photos, blue is a good color for him.

The soon to be retired headshot.  Fare thee well old photo friend.

The new headshot is still TBD.  We have the proofs and are going through them with his manager.  I hope to debut the new headshot in the next couple of weeks.

One final thought...Hire a professional photographer to handle your headshots.  Selfies do not translate well in the professional world!

The New Headshot Will Also Go On This Page

America's Got Talent...It Also Has A Strange Selection Of People

I spent last Sunday with Zach and Dana at a open casting call for "America's Got Talent" (also known as AGT).  Zach was there to impress the judges with his teenage outlook on life via his stand up act. Dana and I were there as his legal guardians, sounding board and people watchers.

Zach's audition ticket had a check-in time of noon.  We arrived downtown at The Convention Center around 11:40am to find all surrounding parking lots full.  I dropped them off to find the auditions while I looked for a parking spot.  I lucked into a free spot (it was Sunday) about a half-mile from the center.  I proceeded to audition central with my paperwork in hand.  (All legal guardians had to sign paperwork giving AGT, its producers, directors, etc. permission to use your likeness in any and all shots on the program)

I arrived at the audition, went through security and headed to the check-in table.

I wasn't allowed into the holding room because my party had already checked in without me.  I was also told I had to leave the check-in section and find somewhere to wait for them.  I protested a little but knew I'd get nowhere with the "head check-in consultant".

After texting Zach to let him know what was up, I decided to wait in the lobby for them to finish.  I soon realized it would be a loooooooooong wait so I debated my options:

*Wait all day in the lobby?

*Go on a tour of LA comic stores?

*Spend some time at the downtown library?

*Go home?
*Make my way into the holding room? (The Winner!!!!)

I went back to the check-in area and said "hello" to the same security person as my first visit.  She asked me if I needed anything and I replied, "No.  Just heading back to the holding room."  She smiled, told me to have a good day and let me pass with no problem.  

I soon discovered security was heavy at the entrance to the check-in area and there were plenty of people acting like they were in charge at the check-in tables.  There was NOBODY watching the door to enter the holding area.

I walked through the door, acted like I belonged and started to look for Zach and Dana.

About two minutes later I received a text from them trying to find me.  They went into the lobby to make sure I wasn't bored.  I replied, "I'm in the holding area.  Don't ask."

They came back and asked about my wristband:

"What wristband?"

"The one you're supposed to wear in here so they don't kick you out."

I told them about just walking past security and into the room.  We all agreed to be quiet and hope no one noticed the one guy without a wristband. (Spoiler Alert...They Never Noticed!)

Everyone in the room was supposed to refrain from taking photos as well as a bunch of other rules laid out in the paperwork.  As I never turned in my paperwork, enjoy this behind the scenes look inside the venue.

Dana and Zach were escorted inside the holding room upon their arrival.  They were placed against a wall along with a large group of people waiting for their chance to audition.  A film crew from AGT was checking out the crowd looking for good stories to feature on the show.  They approached Zach twice as if they were going to interview him.  The film crew headed towards Zach once and were distracted by tap dancing nuns with a minion (see below).

The film crew headed towards Zach a second time and were distracted by the opposite of tap dancing nuns...naked showgirls!  

They'll regret not interviewing my kid!!!!!  (Maybe)

After the film crew went looking for new stories, the two of them went to search for me.  They didn't realize I was already inside watching:

Female Hawaiian Dancers preparing for their dance while Male Hawaiian Dancers looked for nachos.

A rock band complete with viking horns.

And finally,

Santa Pimp and a friend in search of her Green Card

I couldn't grab a photo of my favorite random person.  There was a guy sporting a very out of style mustache, a shirt too short to cover his stomach and a jumbo jug of tea.  The only item missing was a cup/mug/glass.  The guy took a giant swig of tea every 15 minutes (or so) and would finish each gulp with a burp and a smile.  I spent the entire time wondering if that was the talent he was practicing for the judges.

The holding room featured plenty of AGT logos as well as a stage for dancers, singers and acts of questionable talent to practice their craft.  

The stage was also a place for the crowd to remain focused since the day was a long one for all involved.  Zach's ticket might have said Noon but he didn't get called into his audition until a little before 7pm.  Dana was the parent to go back with Zach because a) he is under 18 years of age and b) I was not supposed to be in the holding area much less the actual audition.  

I left to move the car closer to the building.  I figured it was late enough in the day that some spaces would be open around the Convention Center.  I found a space near the building and went back to the holding area to see if Zach was done with his audition.  

I walked up and remembered I didn't have a wristband.  I also realized the security guards were a different crew than the ones earlier in the day.  I waved at the guards as I walked towards the holding room.  They didn't say a word to me as I walked through the security area.  I'm not sure why I had no problems walking in and out all day.  I'm just happy I got to see everything in person.

Dana and Zach finally exited at 7:30pm and seemed pleased with his performance in front of the judges.  We'll hear whether or not he moves on in the next 3-4 weeks.

They spared no expense on the signage for the event.

As much as I want to know if Zach has advanced to the next round, I'm anxious to see the LA audition episode on television.  I can't wait to see what talents Santa Pimp and Green Card showed off to the judges.

I'm Biased But I Already Know This Kid Has Talent

A Glimpse At Hollywood's Past...And Present

I've spent a lot of time on Sunset Blvd at Nick On Sunset due to Zach's work on the show "Bella and the Bulldogs".  I don't have to hang around on set all day anymore thanks to his "Legal 18" status.  I do like to stay long enough to grab some photos and enjoy some free food!

I thought you might enjoy a look behind the scenes at Nick On Sunset.

Here's the front gate as seen from across the street.  Notice the large number of background actors and day players enjoying craft services.

Speaking of enjoying craft services...Here's The Artist snacking on an apple between takes.

While Zach is on set, I like to stay indoors and enjoy the spacious work area.  The building was known as "The Earl Carroll Theatre" from the late 30s until the early 50s.

The building is still decorated in the style of "The Earl Carroll Theatre" heyday.  I'm a big fan of the signs leading to the bathrooms.  The lights turn on automatically when you enter the men's room and radio broadcasts from the 40s fill the air. 

I also love the vintage item in the photo below.

The phone does not work anymore (no big surprise).  I was in and out of the building for a good six months before I discovered a button out of frame on the left.  The button lights up the phone booth and also plays music for about 3-4 minutes.

Hey!  What do you say we check in with Zach and see what's going on outside?

Looks like someone just made another visit to craft services.

The newly constructed sign for the outdoor football field set.

After a long day of shooting football scenes, it's time to call it a day.  The football players lend a hand to the wardrobe department by getting their pads and uniforms in order for the next day.

The kid in the photo above would never have put his own equipment away after practice or a game.

The theatre has been used for a variety of non-Nick shows over the years.  It's been the home of "Star Search", The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, "Queen For A Day" and "The Chevy Chase Show" (when it was briefly known as "The Chevy Chase Theater").  

It's also been a variety of rock clubs including "The Hullabaloo" (after the TV show), "The Kaleidoscope" (hosting a variety of local acts including The Doors) and "The Aquarius Theatre" (where The Doors recorded a live set in 1969 that was finally released in 2001).

Hope you enjoyed the tour of Nick On Sunset.  It's a beautiful building that allows a look back at vintage Hollywood.

Did I Mention This Guy Enjoys Craft Services?