COOL HUNTER0:

If you were an actor, what kind of movies would you make? Actually, when it comes to being cast for a part in a movie, it's not so much about which part the actor wants, but more about which part the casting director thinks they're suitable for. Before you even get an audition, you have to send a casting director your headshots. Headshots are photographs that show you off in your best light. Have a look at some of these photos.

If you were an actor, what kind of movies would you make? Actually, when it comes to being cast for a part in a movie, it's not so much about which part the actor wants, but more about which part the casting director thinks they're suitable for. Before you even get an audition, you have to send a casting director your headshots. Headshots are photographs that show you off in your best light. Have a look at some of these photos.
COOL HUNTER1:

What roles do you think these actors could play in a film? A leading man? A femme fatale? A villain? A housewife?

What roles do you think these actors could play in a film? A leading man? A femme fatale? A villain? A housewife?
COOL HUNTER2:

An action hero? If you have serious ambitions to be an actor, think first about what kinds of roles you could possibly play. Look at your face in the mirror. Look carefully and honestly. Could you play the role of the sexy lead male or female?

An action hero? If you have serious ambitions to be an actor, think first about what kinds of roles you could possibly play. Look at your face in the mirror. Look carefully and honestly. Could you play the role of the sexy lead male or female?
COOL HUNTER3:

Or are your looks more suitable for the part of the best friend, parent, bad guy or housewife? You might actually be suitable for a number of different roles, and this is something you can suggest in your headshots by altering your hair, facial expression, clothes and pose in each photo, giving yourself the widest possible chance of playing different kinds of characters. Take Tom Hanks, for example. Some people think he has a funny, or interesting face, suitable for the crazy but lovable character in a comedy or romcom; some think he's got the right looks for the handsome leading male role in a love story; some think he has an intensity of expression just right for a serious, hard hitting 'issue'' movie. In fact, he has all three.

Or are your looks more suitable for the part of the best friend, parent, bad guy or housewife? You might actually be suitable for a number of different roles, and this is something you can suggest in your headshots by altering your hair, facial expression, clothes and pose in each photo, giving yourself the widest possible chance of playing different kinds of characters. Take Tom Hanks, for example. Some people think he has a funny, or interesting face, suitable for the crazy but lovable character in a comedy or romcom; some think he's got the right looks for the handsome leading male role in a love story; some think he has an intensity of expression just right for a serious, hard hitting 'issue' movie. In fact, he has all three.
COOL HUNTER4:

Tom Hanks is a good example of an actor who can alter his image for different roles, but still keep that independence of character that marks him out as a major star. If you're invited for an audition, be sure to appear as you do in the headshots. Casting directors hate it when you turn up for an audition and look nothing like your photos! If this happens, it's extremely unlikely you'll get the part. Every time you get a haircut, change your style, or even just get older, you'll have to get new headshots.

Tom Hanks is a good example of an actor who can alter his image for different roles, but still keep that independence of character that marks him out as a major star. If you're invited for an audition, be sure to appear as you do in the headshots. Casting directors hate it when you turn up for an audition and look nothing like your photos! If this happens, it's extremely unlikely you'll get the part. Every time you get a haircut, change your style, or even just get older, you'll have to get new headshots.
COOL HUNTER5:

Also, it goes without saying, but if you're going for, say, the girl next door part, and you send headshots of you looking like a girl next door, make sure, on the day of the audition, you dress and look just like the girl next door. Finally, don't worry if you don't look like Julia Roberts or Tom Cruise. In fact, casting directors aren't always looking for the most stunningly beautiful or amazingly handsome actor - there are many of those around as it is. They're looking for a face that has character, personality, and something just a little bit different. They have a physical image of the kind of person they're looking for in their mind, but this image is often blurred at the edges.

Also, it goes without saying, but if you're going for, say, the girl next door part, and you send headshots of you looking like a girl next door, make sure, on the day of the audition, you dress and look just like the girl next door. Finally, don't worry if you don't look like Julia Roberts or Tom Cruise. In fact, casting directors aren't always looking for the most stunningly beautiful or amazingly handsome actor - there are many of those around as it is. They're looking for a face that has character, personality, and something just a little bit different. They have a physical image of the kind of person they're looking for in their mind, but this image is often blurred at the edges.
COOL HUNTER6:

More certain, however, is the kind of personality the part requires, so your headshots shouldn't just show how good looking you are, they should be able to bring out your character. It's nice to know that there are parts out there for everyone, all ages, races, shapes and sizes. And on that note. Are you ready for your headshot? Three, two, one.

More certain, however, is the kind of personality the part requires, so your headshots shouldn't just show how good looking you are, they should be able to bring out your character. It's nice to know that there are parts out there for everyone, all ages, races, shapes and sizes... And on that note... Are you ready for your headshot? Three, two, one.