Creating Compelling Acting Headshots With Your Smartphone
While in the long run every actor should invest in the services of a professional photographer, the initial headshots technically can be done by using a smartphone. It can come especially handy in time-sensitive situations, for example, when a casting call has a deadline approaching but the performer’s physical appearance has significantly changed in comparison to their old headshots.
Before putting the phone’s camera to good use, the aspiring actor has to plan out other factors, such as clothing and background choices, as well as expressions and poses for the photographs. This is a two-person job, so there has to be someone else to ultimately successfully snap those photos.
Following those decisions, the smartphone's rear camera should be prepared for the photoshoot by setting the appropriate photo modes, as well as simply cleaning its lens to wipe away any possible dirt that can affect the quality of the images.
The front camera of the smartphone is not a good option for headshots as it is not only lower quality but also has different lenses that can slightly distort the actor’s physical features. Any type of mobile camera filters or photo modes that modify the final image, e.g., blur the background, should be avoided as the goal of headshots is to deliver as natural and regular a look as possible and avoid including any that may distract attention away from the individual.
The smartphone’s camera should be held at the eye level of the aspiring actor, or slightly above it at forehead level, while very slightly tilted downwards. The aim should also be to leave a bit of room around the actor's shoulders and above their head to allow more cropping opportunities later if necessary.
Finally, the actor should select the best quality photos and crop them if needed, for the focus of the headshots to be on their head. A slight brightness and contrast editing is acceptable, yet it has to be done very carefully to avoid obvious enhancement presence in the images.
Writing A Professional Acting Resume With Your Phone
It can be done with a smartphone by using one of the numerous text writing apps and online websites, the same way as it would be by using a computer. While actors at the beginning stage of their career aspirations won’t have many credits, if any at all, to their name, writing a resume is still a mandatory requirement to be eligible for consideration in casting calls.
Regardless of the chosen program to create the text, it should always be written in an easily comprehensible manner. The resume should feature a listing of all the actor’s basic information, including their name, surname, and contact information. Physical appearance-related information is also required - amongst those facts should be the performer’s age, height, weight, and the color of their eyes and hair.
Any acting experience should always be listed in the resume, no matter how minor, e.g., participation in a school play or student film, as well as relevant education and training. Finally, special skills are certainly worth mentioning - especially for up-and-coming performers. Amongst such skills can be anything, from the person being bilingual, to knowing how to sing or dance, to even various athletic skills, yet they should not be exaggerated, as casting directors are likely to actually expect them to be readily available during the auditions.
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Learn The Final Things To Do When Wrapping Up The Acting Portfolio With Your Phone
Once the text for the resume is complete, it should be exported in a PDF format before its addition to the portfolio and submission to a casting call, which all can be done with a smartphone as well.
Both resume and headshots should be compiled together in a way that allows any viewer to immediately find the exact information about the performer that they were hoping to find. The final version should be uploaded within the appropriate file exchange platform, which can be done with a smartphone, and submitted in the given casting call form.
