I am going to presume you know at the outset that you've got to be persistent and you've got to constantly refine your acting skills, by studying and especially working. The best headshots in the world won't help you if you audition for Steven Spielberg and you can't act your way out of a box. Actually, if you haven't constantly refined your acting skills, chances are you won't even get that audition. I'll talk more about that later in this article, but first I'll go over the items you need to get your face and name out into the entertainment marketplace.

Tip #1: Get Your Headshots

Headshots

While the standard headshot consists of one view, sometimes you might want to get a couple of different "looks" out in each mailing without the extra expense of sending additional 8x10 headshots in each mailing. You can have an 8x10 printed with two different pictures of you on it (referred to as a "composite"). I've even used one with 3 little shots on it and 1 large one but don't get into the habit of using a composite regularly because it's really only effective in getting print/modeling work. At least initially you'll maximize your exposure following the standard procedures expected in the industry (most agents and casting directors like things done the standard way, and in this case that means one photo per headshot).

Selecting a Photographer

Get your headshots taken by a reputable professional photographer in the industry. The best way to find out who is good is to ask other actors and look at their pictures to see if they are of high quality, capture their essence, and are appealing to you. If you don't have any friends who are actors you can always look at the ads in Backstage and other similar papers and magazines. Avoid people who claim to be agents but require you to use a photographer they recommend (this is discussed further in Tip #7 Getting Work below).

Be sure to ask the right questions when calling a photographer:

• Ask to see a "book" of headshots previously taken by the photographer.
  
  
• Ask if they provide hair and makeup for you and if that's included in the cost.
  
  
• Ask how many "wardrobe changes" you get and whether you should bring a change of clothes (you want at least a couple of different looks, from business suits to casual, sleek chic, etc.).
  
  
• Ask how many proofs/contact sheets you get. A contact sheet is an 8x10 photo print containing all of a roll of film's pictures on one page (around 36 shots per page), and makes it easy to look at a lot of shots at once. You'd typically look at the contact sheets and pick the photo you like the best and ask the photographer to print that one for your headshot.
  
  
• Ask if the price includes "touch-ups" of your pictures and how many 8X10's, 5X7's and/or postcards they will provide to you. Most photographers will touch up one or two headshots to improve minor imperfections in the photos, as part of your standard package price.
  
  

You should also try to check the background of the photographer through the Web and other sources (you can check with the Better Business Bureau - just remember that the absence of complaints doesn't necessarily mean your background check is done).

Finally, make sure you meet with the photographer in person first to make sure you feel safe and comfortable with him or her. It is absolutely critical that you have good "chemistry" with the photographer. The more comfortable you feel to "be yourself" the more likely it will be that your pictures capture your essence and work effectively for you in your acting career.

Printing Your Headshots

Printing actual photographs can get pretty expensive pretty quickly -- taking your touched-up original provided by the photographer to a reproduction house for mass printing can save you a lot of money with negligible difference in quality.

You should also create postcards for mailings in between your headshots mass mailings. Postcards are cheaper and are good reminders until your next batch of headshots go out.

Tip #2: Prepare Your Resume

Format

Your name should typically be at the top, immediately followed by your Union affiliations (SAG, AFTRA, AEA, etc.) on the next line.

You should also include a contact phone number. Remember, for safety reasons you should not be using your home phone number or address on any of your mailings or resumes. You won't get many, if any, email responses to a mass-mailing so an email address is not usually necessary. I recommend you either use your cell phone, or professional answering service on your resume so you don't run the risk of missing any of those precious calls. A beeper isn't the greatest, because agents tend to be very busy and if they're calling you, they usually have something to tell you (like, "I have an audition I'd like to send you on!"). Agents usually leave a message at least if they can't talk with you directly- they don't want to wait for you to call them before they tell you why they called you. Remember, there are plenty of other eager actors out there and even competing agents with their clients trying to get in on the same audition or work you want - the sooner you hear about it, the better.

After your name, affiliations and contact info should follow your personal characteristics. The most common characteristics included are height, weight, vocal range (where applicable), hair and eye color (as black and white headshots don't always capture those details).

Next should be your acting experience. Many actors break down their experience into categories such as Film, TV, Commercial, Industrial (an example of this is a safety procedure video for a manufacturer), Voiceover, and Modeling/Print. This enables the reader to quickly glance at your accomplishments in any given area depending upon what you're auditioning for.

After summarizing your professional experience you'll want to indicate your educational experience and training. If you are recently out of school and don't have much professional experience you may want to consider listing your educational background before your professional experience. In the training and education section of your resume you'll want to state where you've studied, with whom and exactly what you've studied (e.g. B.A. in Theater for ABC University; Acting Coaching with XYZ person, or Vocal study at the ABC Institute).

Finally, in addition to the information described above you will also want to summarize your special skills, talents or interests on the bottom of your resume. These items include athletic prowess (e.g. expert snowboarder, surfer, gymnast, or ballet dancer), licenses (e.g. certified life guard, truck driver's license), and other special skills (e.g. accomplished equestrian, ability to drive a manual (stick-shift) car or motorcycle, professional mime or clown). Basically, you list any additional notable skills that could be useful in casting you.

You can see a simple sample resume by clicking here.

Tip #3: Cover Letters

Some actors may choose to send a cover letter along with each of their headshots and resumes. In my experience, cover letters are really only useful if you are looking to highlight a recent accomplishment, express a unique or specific interest, or have an existing relationship or tie about which you wish to remind the recipient (e.g. you chatted briefly with the recipient at a seminar a few days ago). Otherwise, your resume should absolutely contain all of the relevant information an agent or casting director could need.

If you need to include a cover letter, keep it brief and to the point. Agents and casting directors have very little spare time to read your letters, so make each word count.

Actorize can provide you with a certified career coach to help you review and perfect your resume and cover letters for a fee of $100 per hour.

Tip #4: Assemble Your Final Marketing Product

Now you'll want to mail your headshot with attached resume to as many agents and casting directors as possible. Typically you'd send your mailings at least once a quarter. Many actors also send a postcard as a sort of reminder on a biweekly or monthly basis. This is a critical step in the career process for a new actor because it's one of the few ways you will be able to share with an agent or casting director who you are, what you look like, and what your experience is. This is how you begin the process of engaging the interest of the industry professional- it cannot be underestimated!

Tip #5: Continually Study, Develop & Practice Your Craft

In the meantime our advice is to select a program that is aligned with what you're looking for (e.g. if you want to be a serious stage actor and are committed to the long-term development of your craft then you may want to consider getting a Master of Fine Arts degree (MFA) or committing to a 2-year program at one of the finest institutions such as The New School's Actors program. If you've already studied your craft and you're simply looking for a specific course to learn how to act in front of the camera, or perhaps learn commercial auditioning technique then you should consider one of the institutions that offer such programs.

Tip #6: Prepare Your Monologue

Another important point is to use a monologue appropriate for the type of audition you have. For example, many actors have both a comedic and dramatic monologue prepared at any given time; in some cases you may need a monologue from a particular theatrical era or genre such as Shakespearean or classical. What's most important is that you feel comfortable with the material and that it best represents you in terms of both your acting talent as well as the types of roles you can see yourself doing.

In summary, when selecting a monologue you should find one that fit your personal "brand" (see our Brand U Workshops described below). In other words, a good monologue presents you in an emotional, psychological and physical light that represents the kinds of roles you'd like to have and that are appropriate for your personal talent.

Tip #7: Getting Work

You will have the best luck finding work if you are represented by an agent who can work hard for you in sending you on auditions and fighting for you to be cast in a given role. Finding an agent, however, is just like every other "Catch-22" in the business. That is, you usually can't get signed with an agent until you have at least some professional acting experience. Most agents will, however, come see you in showcases or off-Broadway performances, so try to get cast in those types of productions and then invite as many agents and casting directors as possible to come see you perform.

There are also other forums in which you can audition for agents and casting directors but most of those require you to spend money. For instance, there are studios in most regions that allow actors (for a fee) the opportunity to audition for a variety of agents, casting directors, and managers at which you can receive invaluable exposure and feedback. Be very selective.

There are also a variety of studios that allow you the opportunity to "study" with casting directors and agents in a short course ranging from 1-day to 6-week intensives on topics ranging from "Soap Opera technique" to "Mastering the Film Audition."

All of these options can be very good opportunities to get in front of an agent as well as an opportunity to perfect your auditioning skills and gather good feedback. Remember, these types of workshops or "study" are very different from the traditional acting studio. These programs are not purely for you to explore and grow freely as a creative person, because you are already in front of influential industry people. Therefore there is less room for taking chances or making errors. Bottom line: be prepared for a much-reduced developmental experience than you would receive in your traditional acting classes - and make sure you feel ready for that kind of exposure in these types of class-settings. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Finally, be wary of agents who claim they'll represent you only if you use a photographer they recommend- they are very likely not agents and they "make" their money by splitting fees with the photographer. Also, avoid agents who ask you to pay in advance for their representation or for other services. Legitimate agents earn a fee only when they get you work, and then it's typically 10% of your earnings from that work.

In fact, you should only deal with legitimate agents franchised by the particular guild representing your field. For example, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), Actors Equity Association (AEA), among others. You do not have to be in the guild to send material to these agents. Please check the industry links at the bottom of the Actorize Actor Resources page to view brief summaries of what each guild covers and to link to the guilds' web sites for current information.

You should note however that due to the recent expiration of SAG's contracts with agencies, some agencies are no longer considered franchised by SAG. However, these agencies may still be in SAG's good graces professionally as long as they meet SAG's standards in dealing with actors. You should check the SAG site periodically for updates. In any event some of these agencies are also currently franchised by one or more of the other guilds.

Tip #8: Not Getting Work

Tip #9: Network, Network, Network

Even if you are already represented by an agent, you need to make it your business to know who is doing what in the business and take advantage of any opportunity you may have to meet people- starting with other actors in your acting classes, to sending your headshots out to agents and casting directors at least once a quarter, and attending as many events, classes, performances as possible where you will have a chance to meet and be seen by industry professionals. You can't imagine how many actors have told us that they thought networking wouldn't be necessary once they landed an agent. Instead they found it was just as critical to continue to learn and meet as many casting directors, directors, producers, and writers as possible. Remember, it's about talent but if no one sees your talent then you most assuredly won't have a lucrative career in this business.

Whenever possible, ask information of other actors and be willing to share information as well. Use the people you work with, acting instructors, and other career mentors as career resources. Never stop asking questions, learning and trying to connect with other industry professionals. Very often it is the connections we make early in our career that help us out in the end - you never know, that small indie film you're working on for no pay could be directed by the next Spielberg so… you get the idea.

Tip #10 Always Be Professional

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