New Headshots

[snuka12000]

I just got pictures taken for new headshots. The proofs are available online. Out of the proofs, it is my goal to select one good headshot that I'll use for everything (commercial print, commercials, TV, soaps, theatre, musical theatre and film).

I need your help in choosing this headshot. Please go to the website http://peterdressel.com/clients/phillip/. Please review my proofs and let me know which headshot(s) I should use. Each picture is numbered, so let me know by the number. Thank you!

http://peterdressel.com/clients/phillip/

[Jennifer5]

I don't know if it's just my computer but nothing came up when I clicked on the link.

[keltic63]

I don't know if it's just my computer but nothing came up when I clicked on the link.
it's you, honey. I saw them and he's a hottie!

[Jennifer5]

it's you, honey. I saw them and he's a hottie!

Darn, anyway you can try and send me the link... maybe it'll work.. my computer usually won't open the links from people's posts... I have no idea why, but sometimes it works... I don't understand it.:confused:

[snuka12000]

Cut and paste the website into your browser.

[Jennifer5]

Finally got it...
I think Kelticsaid it best...
I saw them and he's a hottie!


I don't know how you would choose a picture, you look good in all of those:love:

[andrewlittle]

Okay, could you have made it easier. 196 headshots. Whew.

I'll go out on a limb, though, and tell you #122 was my favorite. There's something a little mysterious about the pose and the half-smile. You look kind and a little dangerous at the same time.

That opinion, and five bucks, will buy you coffee at Starbucks, but it's the best opinion I've got.

[Daniel]

I have a suggestion. And this may seem blunt, but I mean it with affection. As someone who is routinely- and often- asked to do this sort of thing (I work in the arts):

Weed your own garden.

Pick out 4 to 6 that you really like and then have those you respect look at them. You will refine your own eye in the process. And make peace with your own beauty.

[davidcom]

Oh really, daniel, just cuz he's prettier than you.;)

[Zerbie]

I have a suggestion. And this may seem blunt, but I mean it with affection. As someone who is routinely- and often- asked to do this sort of thing (I work in the arts):

Weed your own garden.

Pick out 4 to 6 that you really like and then have those you respect look at them. You will refine your own eye in the process. And make peace with your own beauty.

I really wanted to help you choose one Snuka, but between the # of pictures and the slowness of my browser, I was frustrated just getting to picture #5 at which point I gave up. Pick a half dozen or so of your favorites and then link us to them.

When choosing, keep in mind the question: what image do I want to convey? And narrow the field accordingly. When I finally did that, I got a TERRIFIC headshot.

[snuka12000]

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE FEEDBACK! It really does help.

An actor should not pick his/her own headshots. No one picks what I pick. After I get all of the feedback, I'll be able to choose the best picture out of that. I've already narrowed it down and I've got some more filtering to do.

I like to get the opinions of different folks. Men think differently from women and they'll choose picks based on how they think. People will choose pictures based upon their life experiences. People that know me will pick pictures that are different from people that do not know, that's why I put them on here. A lot goes into picking the right headshot. Again, I am too subjective to my own pictures to pick the right shot.

[Zerbie]

Fwiw - I was following all the advice about ask everyone you know and go with their suggestions when I got my recent headshot. NO ONE picked my favorite, so I decided my opinion sucked and so I didn't mention it to the photographer when making the final proofs. She was the one who said, "What about # Such N Such?? I think that's the best one." And it was the one *I* liked that everyone else had said "No" to. Well, we made 'em full size, and suddenly that was everyone else's fave too, hands down. So, if you have a strong fave, definitely include that in your final breakdown.

And tell us what kind of image you want to convey so we can help with our impressions of which pictures convey it.

[Daniel]

An actor should not pick his/her own headshots.

Really? Who made up that rule?

Does that mean someone else can pick your life-partner for you?

My point was that it's better for you to be in control of how you are perceived, not someone else. You think 'stars' let someone else control their image? If you think you are too subjective, what you are really saying (the teacher in me is coming out now!) is that you are unsure of yourself. The only way to get unsure of yourself is to take (calculated) risks. Otherwise, all you will be doing is waiting for a green light from someone. You don't need anyone's permission to go after what you want to do with your life.

And David- I didn't see you making your pick.

[snuka12000]

You're not understanding my point... Performing artists audition for all different roles. I know me and how I view myself; however, an actor plays different roles and becomes different characters.

An actor should have a good shot that looks like them. I really believe that you need other people's eyes to pick that shot. Actors take their proofs to agents and casting directors for a reason. I value agents and casting directors opinions above all others. They see things that I don't see.

As far as this is concerned, it's not about me being in control. It's about me being wise and getting all of the information that I can before I make the final decision. I make the final decision; however, it's going to be from the suggested pictures.

[Daniel]

You're not understanding my point... Performing artists audition for all different roles. I know me and how I view myself; however, an actor plays different roles and becomes different characters.

Ah....youth...always thinks no one understands them. I've been there. I guess there is no telling you what you don't want to hear.

Forgive me for intruding on your monologue.

[Zerbie]

Uh yeah, Snuka, if you're as young as you look, you just dismissed the opinions and advice of two onstage musical theater professionals who have been performing for longer than you've been alive.

If you don't want the opinions, don't ask for 'em, cuz if you ask, you'll get 'em.

[snuka12000]

You're making some judgments that you should not be making about me. You know nothing about me and my God-given wisdom and gifts.

You missed what I said when I said that I accept advice from casting directors and agents. I sift through what is said to me and receive what is for me and leave the rest.

As far as me asking for advice, I just asked for folks to suggest pictures, that's all. I didn't ask for advice or opinions. You all decided to put yourselves on a pedestal and try to preach down to me.

If you're not getting it, perhaps you should pray and ask God to enlighten you before you respond again.

[Daniel]

Let's get real clear here. You do deserve attention. You do deserve recognition. You do deserve all that you work hard for. No one is talking down to you buddy. What Zerbie and I have been trying to do it pull you up. But you apparently can't see that yet because all you can see is what you want and nothing else.

I hope you're working as hard on your craft as you are on getting others to do your work for you.

So you 'accept' advice from casting agents and directors (but not from those who've been- as Zerbie has noted- in a the arts longer than you've been alive). I'd like to see what a casting agent would do if you slapped down your multiple sheets in front of them to get their advice. Oh yeah....they'd be real happy to sort through them all I'm sure. For free too.

Whom do you think you are kidding?

The arts are hard buddy- very hard to make a living at. Please don't make it harder than it has to be. Learn how to be objective.

[dewdrop_world]

Whew! Is it just me, or is it getting hot in here?

Time for some flower power... one for snuka :flower: and one for Daniel :flower: ...

:D

James

[Zerbie]

You're making some judgments that you should not be making about me. You know nothing about me and my God-given wisdom and gifts.

You missed what I said when I said that I accept advice from casting directors and agents. I sift through what is said to me and receive what is for me and leave the rest.

As far as me asking for advice, I just asked for folks to suggest pictures, that's all. I didn't ask for advice or opinions. You all decided to put yourselves on a pedestal and try to preach down to me.

If you're not getting it, perhaps you should pray and ask God to enlighten you before you respond again.

Snuka, listen real hard.

If you talk like that to enough colleagues, your career will stop cold before it even starts. I know producers who would not give you a second chance just based on the kind of words you've just written here. If you talk like that in real life, do not expect to work in the theater. Your attitude, if it doesn't change, will bite you hard.

I'm done wasting my time. I have a rehearsal to get to in a couple hours.

[snuka12000]

First, did you pray?

Second, you have no idea of how long I've been in the performing arts. I've paid my dues and I've been blessed. Don't assume. By the way, you never did what I asked. You did what I didn't ask.

You should put your ego in check.

[Daniel]

I did a little research on how to pick a headshot. See below. It took me all of two minutes and confirms what I addressed earlier.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007


How to choose your head shot as an actor.

Head shots are one of the most valuable tools for an actor or actress. That is the image that will be passed onto casting directors, producers, agents, etc. People spend a great deal of time selecting their photographer. And if you have chosen well you should have a good number of great shots to choose from.



One tip that has helped many of my clients on picking the shots they are going to invest by printing is to SURVEY!


Most people do a survey by asking others which shot they like best and narrowing down to the top two to four. This is fine, but it's not thinking like a casting director. A casting director flips through head shots. Ones that catch their fancy are pulled into a different pile for further review.



This is how many of my clients have gone about picking a very successful head shot that gets them work.


#1 Pick out the shots that YOU like best and get those printed into normal 4×7 prints.




#2 Write a number on the back of each shot.



#3 Hand the entire group of photos to your agent, colleagues, friends, etc. And have a piece of paper ready.



#4 DO NOT SAY A WORD!!! Let them flip through the stack and note down any photo that someone stopped at to observe as they have been flipping through the photos.



#5 Print up the photo that has caused more people to stop! That is the one to print. That is the one that will cause the casting director to stop and look.The actors and actresses that I have known to do this picked head shots that worked for them and got them auditions and parts. Try it. It works.



Best of Luck!
J.P.
Photographer
Signup for Myactingsite.com Now! http://www.myactingsite.com


Wanna be professional? Think and act like one. Wanna go through life with a chip on your shoulder? Be my guest. Just don't expect others to help you however.

Hold the flowers James.....looks like the earth is dry. Bone cracking dry.

Maybe it's time for the little bird story.


A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold; the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realize how warm it
was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him!

Lessons:
1. Not everyone who drops shit on you is your enemy.
2. Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
3. And when you are in deep shit, keep your mouth shut.

You think number 1. has been done to you, while and I and others are simply trying to keep you out of number 2.

Whether we can wind up as friends is entirely up to you.

And one last matter to address. In my far off youth, it was considered a compliment for an older person to mentor a younger person with no strings attached. A compliment to the younger person that is.

I see that times have changed.

You will undoubtedly reply that you didn't ask to be mentored. And of course, the irony here is how one who wants so much can settle for so little.

Well...here's a news alert from someone at least 30 years ahead of you: we very often get what we need before we get what we want. ( And that, my would-be friend, is a gift. Keep kicking that horse in the mouth and it will turn on you and bite you.) You need to get busy picking out your headshots- yourself- like Zerbie and I have both suggested. Then get back to us with your choices. We'll be happy to help you then. If not, that's fine too.

[snuka12000]

There are various ways of picking a headshots. There is not one set way. What works for you, does not work for other people. You seem to think that everyone has to think like you.

You've got to put your ego and arrogance in check. You've got to pray. That is what is important above all else. A strong spiritual side really gives people a better perspective on things.

You have no idea of how old I am, what I've been through in my life and the wisdom and knowledge that God has given me. You could learn something from me if you'd just listen.

Your opinions are your opinions and they are subjective. It's not good to get disturbed because someone disagrees with what you say. That tells me that you think that you know it all and have all of the answers. Well, let me tell you, you don't.

[Daniel]

There are various ways of picking a headshots. There is not one set way. What works for you, does not work for other people. You seem to think that everyone has to think like you.

You've got to put your ego and arrogance in check. You've got to pray. That is what is important above all else. A strong spiritual side really gives people a better perspective on things.

You have no idea of how old I am, what I've been through in my life and the wisdom and knowledge that God has given me. You could learn something from me if you'd just listen.

Your opinions are your opinions and they are subjective. It's not good to get disturbed because someone disagrees with what you say. That tells me that you think that you know it all and have all of the answers. Well, let me tell you, you don't.


I am sure they are many things we can agree on, the importance of prayer being one of them. But for the purposes of finding your way in your chosen career, I think it's better to focus on that for the time being. After all, that is what you posted about. So let's stick to the issue at hand.

What you label arrogance and ego, my friend, is the fruit of more than 20 years on the operatic/concert/recital stages of New York City as well as long experience working with professional singers (I amazed myself the other day when I realized that I have performed in over 70 different operas). The younger ones routinely ask for help in entering competitions with letters of recommendation, choice of headshots, demo tapes, resumes etc. So I can say with the certainty of long experience that I know my way around the block.

Now let's take your situation.

You post over a hundred pictures on a public forum asking Joe Public to wade through them all and make your decisions for you, and when you get a response from those who actually know something about the matter- who advise you that there might be a better way to go about it so that you get the jobs you say you want- you get all huffy- we're just not following your script anymore. What you don't get is that the sheer number of pictures is a hindrance to your stated goal and comes across as inconsiderate and cheeky. This was pointed out to you but you seem to have ignored that in your haste to get what you want.

Yes. I don't know you, but I know the business well enough to know that the way you're going about it is akin to shooting in the dark.

They are better ways to get attention.

[snuka12000]

The Lord Jesus Christ said in, MATTHEW 7: 1-6, (New Living Translation Version of the Bible), "Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you."

[Jennifer5]

You're making some judgments that you should not be making about me. You know nothing about me and my God-given wisdom and gifts.

You missed what I said when I said that I accept advice from casting directors and agents. I sift through what is said to me and receive what is for me and leave the rest.

As far as me asking for advice, I just asked for folks to suggest pictures, that's all. I didn't ask for advice or opinions. You all decided to put yourselves on a pedestal and try to preach down to me.

If you're not getting it, perhaps you should pray and ask God to enlighten you before you respond again.

Sorry about that... and I hope that you didn't feel that way about my response, I only meant it out of love, I have no idea how to go about choosing a headshots:o

[NathanATX]

Phillip,

I'm glad you joined the Soulforce forums. I think we're all glad you're here.

You are in a tough industry. It's going to take incredible amounts of hard work, sacrifice & prayer to achieve even a modicum of success. More importantly, it's going to take relationships.

You need people around you that can encourage you, coach you, confront you, be confronted by you, love you, teach you, etc... That's what Soulforce is about, realizing that we are all part of "the Beloved Community." We can't make it alone.

Daniel and Zerbie are amazing people. They are deep spirits, great hearts... and yes, they are v-e-r-y accomplished artists.

I trust 1000% that they are simply giving you practical advice.

I don't know about you, but I always keep my senses aware to possible mentors and advisors. I want to be successful and effective in my business, in ministry, and in my personal life... and I know that it's a heck of a lot easier to learn from someone else's mistakes (i.e., someone who has already been where I am) than to have to go and make all the same(avoidable) mistakes myself.

I pray that all of the negative feelings will be released and forgiven. May we all learn to communicate from our heart-space, that deep, divine well of love.

Peace,
Nate

PS: I am closing this thread indefinitely to allow for the tension to be dissipated.

PPS: I like your pictures a lot. In my (very unprofessional, very unexperienced) opinion, I think the photos that are a little closer in, a little narrower, etc., look better because they make your shoulders appear broader/stronger. I wish you all the best on all your journeys. -Nate