What An Actor Needs In A Headshot

I'm about to get my first set of headshots done, but there are some specifics that I'm not sure of. Firstly, what is a contact sheet? Secondly, these 8" x 10" prints that every actor should have, are we supposed to have a whole stack to hand out, or are we supposed to have one to take to auditions but still keep for ourselves? It sound very expensive to keep handing out these 8" x 10" prints. Any other information on headshots would be helpful. Thanks!

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Most actor's photo's are submitted and stored electronically these days. I think you will find very few places still insist on having a hard copy 10x8 black and white headshot. Most photographers provide their clients with their proof sheets and finished images on disk. The photographer I use provides a single hard copy 10x8 as part of the package, along with the disk. I have only been asked to forward a hard copy of my headshot once in the last 5 years. Every other audition or casting I have attended has been conducted using my online or e-mailed shots. The old days of posting off your headshot and CV to casting directors and 'going on file' are over. It's all done electronically these days. Hope this helps. Tulipa.

The important thing is that it's a good and CURRENT photo. Most people have access to pretty good printers these days, and so a decently printed copy of your headshot image can easily be attached or incorporated in your CV. It doesn't need to be photo-quality paper. It just needs to not look shoddy. A 'contact sheet' or 'proof sheet' was basically a page of printed thumbnails that the photographer would give you after a session. You selected the print or prints you wanted blown up. because it's their livelihood, and they own the copywrite on their own photos (even of you), they usually kept the negatives and you had to pay for extra prints when you wanted them. In these days of digital images that process has gone by the wayside, although they'll still probably provide you with low-res thumbnails, and charge you for high-res prints. But most of the time you don't want super-high-res photos, because they take too long to email or upload. If you have a website, put your quality headshot there so casting agents can link to it...but they'll only do that if they're already keen, so when you go to auditions or send in resumes, have clear photocopies (or online, reasonably-sized email photos) attached. Most screen auditions they'll take a snapshot of you there and then. For theatre auditions, they'll definitely use it to remind themselves of who you were when it comes to call-backs. Make sure it looks like you! Cheers, Craig ~<8>-/=====\---------

A good shot between the eyes is good

As for the shot itself... don't make the mistake of trying to look like "an actor". Smile warmly and try to look as approachable as possible. The first thing people generally want to know from a headhsot is "Do I want to work with this person?". If you try to look uber-serious and "actory", looking intensely down the lens, you'll likely come across as a bit of a knob, or worse, as someone who is difficult and demanding to work with. Keep it friendly. :o)