ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

9 years, 1 month ago - Jane Sanger

Tegan, please look at my facebook page www.facebook.com/filmby.lumino, friend request me and scroll down. I can't promise anything but I have castings every few months for various films. Recently I have castings for two short films. Don't send my your cv unless it's for a part. You can also put your self on many, many acting pages like Actors Network on facebook, and on here there are parts offered that you could audition for.

9 years, 1 month ago - Tegan Harris

Thank-you very much Jane. I've sent the friend request.
I do have an agent at school, which restricts joining the usual casting websites. Being a member of a professional site like this is different and does allow me to ask for on-set experience too. I'm happy to be a general assistant or stand-in to be able to watch the process of film making in action.

9 years, 1 month ago - Paulina Brahm

Tegan, did you see the recent casting notice in the latest bulletin? They are looking for actresses in your age range. It is definitely a professional production with a legit casting director attached.

9 years, 1 month ago - Dan Selakovich

Tegan, I don't know if you can search a specific person's posts here on SP, but if so, Paulina has truly excellent advice about the non-acting side of acting. If you can find it, you'll learn a lot by reading her stuff.

9 years, 1 month ago - Paulina Brahm

Hi Tegan,

I noticed you changed your headshot for your profile -- I was wondering why this choice? You just appear a shade unhappy. I'd pick a shot that is either smily or serious... but not this which the feel I'm getting, which is a hint of tension. You should have an initial headshot that represents you to the best of your ability and personality!

(Mine, here, is serious with a hint of tension/bemusement because I'm going after the indie film market on SP!)

But that is just my opinion -- unless you are going for the 'difficult teen' or 'troubled teen' roles.

Anyway, I hope you contacted that job and I wish you the best of luck! And here is some wonderful advice to take on board via this link:

http://www.backstage.com/interview/how-kid-actors-can-get-cast-netflix/?utm_campaign=backstage-daily&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=32119483

Tegan, you have mastered two ESSENTIAL things for a performing artist to stand out -- great communication, and gratitude. I absolutely love that you follow up and thank people. This will take you far, not just as a performer, but in life.

And, Dan! Thank you so much for your kind words! I always try and help when I can!

Best,
Paulina

9 years, 1 month ago - Tegan Harris

Paulina, you are amazing to spend so much time helping others on here. I was going to email you rather than reply then clicked that the object of these discussions is to share learning.

I needed to change my picture as my face has changed so much over the last year. As I was asking for on-set experience (even just watching) I chose a picture that I thought looked friendly rather than pushy. I didn't notice the posible tension in the shot. As this is a collaberation community I think I need to keep my main picture the same for as long as possible. Therefore you're right, I do need a shot that represents me as an actress (sweet or stroppy teenager!), singer, crew.

I'm sorry to ask for more of your time, but if you have a moment, could you please look at the photographs that I've added to my profile to see if there is one that stands out to you.

I did apply for the role that you highlighted, but unfortunately they were looking for Derby accents. I've also read the article in your link. The point about bringing yourself to a role is really interesting. The head-shaving was a 'gulp' moment!

Thank-you so much again
Tegan

9 years, 1 month ago - Paulina Brahm

Hi Tegan,

I'd just like to say this is simply my personal opinion -- the people whose opinions matter, such as agents and casting directors, might have different things to say.

I've had a careful look at your photos and I think the last one, the one under your current photo, shows you best.

Acting (particularly for screen) is mostly about the eyes. This is important for headshots too. What I like to do is cover the bottom half of the face and look at the eyes. Are they addressing us? Is the intention behind the eyes clear? Try it!

In your current shot, you seem to be looking in our direction but not quite addressing us. You seem preoccupied. In that last shot, you are looking confidently into the lens. There is a confident young woman behind those eyes and that's the Tegan I think is really you, the singer, dancer, kayaker, performer.

Also, you are not so much in slight shadow as your current shot.

My profile pic on Shooting People is not really a headshot -- it's more in the style of a film still -- but if you head over to my Spotlight you'll see the same things I discuss here in my proper headshots. Try the 'cover the smile' technique with other actors' headshots you like and you'll see the best ones look right into camera and give you a glimpse of their personality.

Again, this is all my personal opinion and I hope it helps!

Best,
Paulina

9 years, 1 month ago - Tegan Harris

Hi Paulina. I hope that I've now changed it to the one that you recommended (I'm not sure whether they would come up in the same order on different PCs).

I guess that if I asked 10 different people, I'd get many personal preferences but the opinion of a professional who has obviously given photo selection a great deal of thought is more expert than that of my Mum (her words!).

I will take a look at some on-line profiles as you suggest.

Thank-you so much again for taking your time to do this.

Happy Summer
Tegan x

9 years, 1 month ago - Dan Selakovich

What Paulina says about the eyes is spot on. I used to teach a seminar on camera placement for directors. Camera height to capture the eyes of the actor correctly was a point I kept hammering time and time again.

The photo you have as your profile picture here isn't a good choice. Your hair covers one eye and half your face. On a first pass, I tend to go through headshots incredibly fast, and pull the ones that grab my attention. Especially for a small part, where audience attention to that actor needs to be quick, because there's no time to develop character. It's a type of shorthand for the audience. As a side note, that's why I hate looking at headshots on a computer. It's too slow. But if I have a stack of 50 on my desk, I can shoot through them with a flick of my finger.

Why not try this experiment: get a stack of 25 shots (maybe your mom can print them out from online sources) of young actresses you've never seen. Go through them very quickly. Which ones did you stop on? Or hesitate on for a second longer? Figure out why that is, then copy those shots when you take your next round of headshots. I bet you anything, it will be because of the eyes: where the lens is, and if there's an eye light to make them pop slightly.

9 years, 1 month ago - Paulina Brahm

Hi Tegan,

there's a casting for a film looking for actresses in your age range over at the Production/Get Work section.

I will answer a bit more later but am absolutely shattered after a looooong shoot day.

Best,
Paulina

9 years ago - Paulina Brahm

Hi Tegan,

just checking if you got the latest casting for more roles in your age range via the latest bulletin. I haven't forgotten you and will reply in more depth to you, but have been insanely busy -- funny, when you are not looking for work and want to rest, it finds you!

Best,
Paulina

9 years ago - Paulina Brahm

Dear Tegan,

again, in your answer you show great innate skills that can only help you in your career as a performer -- as well as life in general! You follow up quickly, concisely, and keep us updated as well as showing gratitude. This is a valuable skill set that will take you very far and make you remembered!

Your headshot -- I agree with Dan about everything he says. However, you've had three different SP profile shots and I do feel this current one shows 'Tegan' best. I'm putting you in single quotes as you are, once you enter this realm, a product or brand. And your personality is a part of that brand.

Your current shot: I'd rather have one eye expressing your essence than two eyes leaving us with nothing more than a brunette teen, is my opinion! (RE: Your second SP profile choice.)

I asked myself, about all your profile pics that you used, "Can this girl play saxophone? Kayak?" and the photo you now have on was the best choice.

In any case, "Mom messing about in the garden" made some nice shots, but do please look at actresses in your age range and see what makes you stand out. This way you can plan your next headshot shoot.

Finally -- here is something really important. Your headshot needs to not only stand out, but stand out in a postage stamp size. Dan's old school, as am I, and that is how I was brought up as an NYC actress -- to take my b/w 8 x 10s to every audition, with my resume stapled to it. Now it's all online and you are scrolled and clicked on with your tiny headshot onscreen. So, that has tiny headshot HAS to pop.

All my very best, and congrats and good luck with your SP film shoot! Please feel free to PM me if ever you need to.

Paulina X

9 years ago - Tegan Harris

Paulina, thank-you so much again. Ican't believe how much time you are willing to share. I will take your advice and leave this headshot until I have a better one taken and then I'll try to apply all that you and Dan have taught me. I'm away for a week now but have a stack of songs, scripts and monologues to learn for exams, festivals and filiming. Happy Days! x