Acting : Which headshot is getting you booked? by Ken Horkavy

Strangely enough, not the profile picture that gets me friends LOL! This more neutral/serious one is the one that gets the most responses from CDs. It's the photo on my IMDb profile: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3658043/?ref_=fn_al_nm_3 I think it's mostly because there is more demand for serious/FBI-looking characters than there are smiling, period characters.

Good question! I wish I knew so I can create more images like it!

Question for fellow creatives, do any of you use still images from work you done? I kind of like them. Ken, I plan on using a still image like this one to add to my content. What are your thoughts on that?

PS: Great HS Kay!

Here you go!

What stands out to you in the picture you took? What does it emote that you would choose it for this discussion?

So for my image Ken, I feel like it has raw quality. It comes from a more intense scene. I prefer more lighting on the face but I enjoy the image because I think I look focused on the direct subject of the world the character is living in. My hair is a mess, I'm sweating, I'm tense. These are characteristics that I find more natural to the art of character creation, and an interesting way to display that art to others who may want me for their films.

Mine is meant to look a bit harsh, serious, even a bit dangerous. My smiling headshot is meant for me to look intelligent and up to something. Both deliver what I had in mind and have gotten me more interest and work here in LA than even I expected. I did both myself for $60 total. My previous shots in my profiile where done by high profile guy out here for quite a bit more, but left people confused with what to do with me, it seems.

Hilariously, I just booked a commercial and this was my headshot. Not sure why my agent wasn't using the one I have as my profile pic, but nonetheless thankful for the work. This attached one is for theatrical use. It's my "don't ask who farted if you know it was you" shot. :)

Matthew Cornwell LOL! I love that description. And thank you, @Jameson!

This is so fun to see, everyone! And congratulations on the commercial gig, Matthew Cornwell! Sometimes I guess good agents have a sixth sense about the right headshot to send along to a CD.

All this reminds me of a webinar Stage 32 hosted a few months back from casting director Marin Hope on what she looks for in headshots and resumes and small things actors can do to make theirs stand out. Here's the link if you want to check it out on demand: https://www.stage32.com/webinars/Make-Your-Headshot-and-Resume-Stand-Out...

In my experience, if a headshot isn't getting you the audition activity you want, change it at least every year. I find those actors whom are constantly experimenting with headshots when they're not auditioning eventually find the one that generates activity. On the other hand, I've had actors get the same great activity for a set of headshots and continue to use them for a 5 year span. If it's working, don't change it, unless your look has changed significantly.

Great advice, @KurtPatino! I shudder to think how COVID has changed my screen presence LOL

Kurt, that’s a great point you raise. I think it depends on the market, the actor, and how established they are within that market. So, for instance, I’ve been in Atlanta 20 years. All the major casting offices know me well, so if I neglect to update my headshot for a couple years, it won’t kill those relationships. Conversely, freshening up my headshot will cause these “old friends” to go “oooh, a new headshot” and that, psychologically speaking, could bring me to the front-of-mind temporarily. It’s like being new to fishing, and trying out different lures having no knowledge of what fish are underneath the water. If you’re too impatient, you might put too many lures in or keep changing them every 5min. On the other hand, if you stick with same lure for too long, you might not even realize that there were a ton of fish that swam by, but just weren’t intrigued enough to bite.

Hello Ken! Glad to see the headshot we created together is still earning its keep! Weighing in on your question: Here's the reality, from my perspective as a headshot professional, a Director of Photography, and filmmaker. I've sat on both sides of the table, at one point as a professional actor, then as a Director, and finally as the person many professional actors in Los Angeles turn to to make a real impact on their careers with headshots that command attention. When Casting has only days to fill a role, they're not really looking for actors. They're looking for "David, 25-30, All-American Quarterback, but with a dark, secretive side, potentially volatile, perhaps even dangerous." They're looking for the CHARACTER, and they don't have time to go thorough the full "5000 actors for one guest star digital submission" package. Sadly, the reality is, at that point, they often don't' even OPEN that package, they just go to their list of actors they know, they're confident they can take to Producers, and who won't be an ass at Craft Service at 7:00 a.m. That is why knowing your casting and branding, and capturing your most authentic range in your headshots is so essential right now. When we finally emerge from Covid, there will certainly be a rush to make up for the lost time, and lots of new opportunities, but If you don't do that work, and convey it in your headshots, unless your IMDB is stellar, or you're a well known commodity to the CD, you're never even seen.

Mr Donne! It has been too long! Thanks for chiming in, I always enjoy your candor and humor. The 7am craft service comment brought back all kinds of "did she just do that" memories from blurry morning LA sets.

How is CA treating you? I'm back to producing in Florida and loving it. Have any time to fly out and update my shots? I"ll cover and you can get a break! :)

That is a really good point, Geoffrey! Especially with the "reset" during the lockdown, the only thing other than your resume that may still hold up is your relationships.

Thank you Karen... sometimes you really have to do something to set yourself apart. With some clients, when they're targeting very specific characters or shows, we'll do what I call an "In Character" shot. This does not replace a more traditional images, but rather accompanies it. A number of the actors on this page I'm sharing here, had very specific shows or genres or characters they knew they were right for, so we captured that, and as opposed to the cheesy 90's "I'm wearing a lab coat, so I'm a Doctor" shots, these images are crafted to feel more like they are publicity images shot BTS or for promo on set. The response from CD's has been really quite exciting for my cleints. https://www.geoffreydonnephotography.com/in-character