All posts by AADB Admin

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE ACTING BUT THE LISTENING

Don’t wait to act when its not your line.

It’s really about listening and reacting that makes an actor exceptional.

For anyone relatively new to acting, the audition process is a scary one.

1 – you don’t really know what role will be given to you.

2-  the audition script could be 3 pages long, so you are thinking “How am I ever going to remember ALL those lines?”

3- how many tries will I be given if I forget?

Well, Casting Directors don’t really care about the lines. They know that given enough time, you can memorize 100 pages. They are looking for the essence of the character. They are watching for how you react.

You don’t get upset and storm out of the room because of what your character says. You get upset because the other person has said something or done something to make you upset, and hence you storm out of the room. They are watching for how you storm out of the room.

Tip : Don’t do anything unless something happens to make you do it.

 

Headshots for Acting Work

HEADSHOT DOS & DONTS

Your headshot is your most important selling tool. It is your calling card. The first impression. So it needs to stand out. Every actor who wants to audition for any production needs a headshot. Remember, this is an investment in YOUR career. Do it right.

Here are 3 Dos and Donts:

 

DO

1) Do make sure your headshot looks like you!  Nothing is worst for a Casting Director, then to look at a headshot and wonder if the person standing in front of him is the same person, cos the person in the photo had so much make up on and so much digital touchup done, that it looks like 2 totally different people.

          VS        Touched up

 

 

2) Do show your age. When a Casting Director is casting for a 16 yr old, they would most likely want a 16 yr old playing that part.  And if you have some wrinkles around your eyes because you are 50 yrs old, show them off!

If a Casting Director was casting for a 35 yr old, he will not be pleased if he ends up auditioning a 50 yr old,  just because you have not updated your headshot.  So do update your headshot every 5 yrs or so.

happy latin girl closeup17 years old and proud of my braces

53 years old with battle scars and eye bags to prove it!

3) Do groom yourself. When we say make the photo look like you, it should be the best you. If you are the sort that is happy to walk around town with your hair not combed and dressed in a crumpled T,  you need to make sure you at least style your hair and wear a proper ironed shirt for that headshot photo.

Young blond woman with three combs stuck in her tangled hair, studio isolated portrait on white background

 

 

DON’T

1) Don’t wear clothes that distract from your face, or stand in a place where the background looks busy. You want the casting director to be looking at you and not wondering…hmmmm is that a grasshopper in the background or where did she get that dress in the or what does the signage behind you say???

 

Hair BowWow! What a Big Hair Bow!

Donut

Ooooo … that Donut looks good! Wonder if its Dunkin’ or Krispy Kreme?

 

 

2) Don’t use glamour apps. Yes it’s fun for those selfies you post on social media, whereby your face looks flawless. But remember, you cant do this for each and every single frame you are in when it comes to TV or Film. The best headshots is NOT the one that makes you look the most pretty,  it’s the one that communicates. Pretty people are everywhere, but there is just 1 you.

BeforeAfter

We know who’s been using those phone apps!

 

 

3) Don’t pose artificially. Don’t squint or pout cos you think it looks sexy. Don’t give an angry or stern look cos you think it will make you stand out.

Er .... Are you having a headache?Er … are you having a Headache??

 

SupercoolI’m Super Cool … or Angry … or I really dont want to take this picture

 

Here’s a simple test : Who would you call in to audition?

         OR        Supercool

 

So go out there and get some nice headshots and start getting those audition calls!

 

 

Photos Credit : www.freepik.com

ALWAYS PROVIDE A RESUME

Yes Casting Directors know they can find you on AADB, but if you bring along a printed resume, it goes to show you are prepared and want to be remembered.

When you walk into an audition and present the Casting person with a resume, he will definitely  look through it, especially if it’s neatly organised and just a page or 2. This not only gives you a chance to tell him more about the roles you have done, it helps to imprint into the Casting person’s mind who you are.

I know we are in a tech age whereby everything can be found online, but the casting process is still a little behind. When the Casting person sits down with his shortlist with the Director, it always helps that he is armed with your resume. If the Director likes the audition, he will want to find out more about you and this is the part where the Casting person is able to whip out your resume super quickly and present it to the director. This further imprints who you are in their minds.

If you think the Director will wait while the Casting person pulls out your file online, he wont.

The online profile is for the Casting person to find you. If you cant be found on AADB, it would be difficult to even get you into the audition room right?

So help the Casting person by bringing along your resume the next time you audition. He will remember you.

Tip : On your own profile page, simply click “Printer Friendly” and viola!

Print your most current profile anytime and impress the team!

 

Actor Headshots

Darrell Chan Headshot

Not only for auditions in Singapore, but even more so if you want to work internationally.

One of the most important things an actor needs is a good headshot. As an actor, each audition you turn up for is essentially a job interview. And just like any job interview, you will need to arm yourself with a resume, that states what you are good at, what work you have done, together with a decent recent photo of yourself.

In an industry where so many things are out of your control, it’s important to take control of the things you can.

 

So what makes a good headshot?

1) HEAD….. SHOT….. so it must be photo of you featuring …. your HEAD. Not a photo that shows you from head to toe. Not a photo that shows you sitting on a bench. That’s more a Mid Shot. Just plain and simple, a photo showing your face.

What that also means is, do not use your hands or let hair cover your face. Also, you should not only show 1 side of your face just because you think it photographs better. You need to have your full frontal face looking at the camera.

 

2) Good Lighting – Nowadays, with your smart phone, you will be able to take decent headshot without going into a professional photo studio. What you need however is good lighting. Stand by a window that has natural sunlight coming onto your face. Make sure no shadows are cast onto your face. A good tip is to take the picture in the morning when the sun is not so harsh and you are most refreshed after a good night’s rest.

 

3) Smile – Yes!  It’s that simple.

No super cool stylo milo non smiling photos please!

 

Headshot - Auditions

 

So what makes Darrell’s headshot stand out?

  1. Head Shot – it shows only her face and a little of her shoulder. Hair is neat and natural. There is just enough make up and nothing in the background or her outfit distracts from her face.
  2. Good Lighting – obviously shot in a studio whereby lighting can be managed properly. The photo is not over exposed and her features are clear.
  3. Smile – What a gorgeous smile! And the photographer caught a wonderful twinkle in her eyes as well.

 

 

So now here’s a simple test you can do.

Pick any row of headshots in the Adult Male or Female page.

Which headshot pops?

Which headshot makes you want to click into that profile to read more?

Now that you know which headshot a Casting Director is more likely to click on, would you still stick to your present headshot?