As someone fairly new to the headshots scene working with people who are often quite new to the TV and Film industry, headshot “Looks” have become an interesting and often confusing topic of discussion. What constitutes an effective look? And who decides?
The word “look” gets bandied about quite freely in headshot land and no-one seems the wiser for it. Luckily for me Kim Barsanti of Vancouver’s Muse Artist Management took the time to tutor me on the basics of what a talent agent is looking for from a headshot session. Most agents require a minimum of two looks, one of which is a commercial look, which portrays the actor as someone who is friendly and approachable, someone who can effectively sell a product whether that product be a computer, a car or a bag of potato chips.
The other look agents want is one that will land the actor parts for TV and Film. This look is more character driven and, depending on the character type, may or may not be so sweet and approachable as the commercial look.
Often clients assume the look is in the clothes you bring, and it is… but it isn’t. Certainly there is a difference in wardrobe choice for someone going for fresh faced college kid look and someone wanting to get cast as a smooth operator / player type. So yes, your choice of clothing is important for the shoot. The Look begins with the clothes, but the success of the final product will be what shows in your face, especially in your eyes.
On that note one final word on looks: subtlety is the key. In the theatre maybe one can get away with wild eyed looks of rage or anguish, but in TV and Film everything is very up close and personal. So if you are new to headshots practice your looks in the mirror before the shoot. Make your eyes warm, make your eyes cold, work on your smirk–that kinda stuff. Have some fun with it. But please, keep it subtle.
Special thanks to the very handsome Ayodeji Oduntan for these samplers from a recent headshot session we did. Deji is presently studying at the Vancouver Film School and will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with in the Vancouver film scene in the very near future. All the best Deji!
