The session first kicked off with a consultation, with Mark introducing himself, the studio, as well as explaining what the exciting process ahead will entail. Wyman would then have the opportunity to also discuss what he wants out of this shoot, before discussing the ‘looks’ he has brought. Bringing a variety of outfits is unforgettably important to any actor’s headshot shoot, helping by providing a base for a casting director to imagine you in the role of a character. For example, a more wealthy character may be more likely to be dressed in formal wear, such as a white button down, whereas for a university student you’d imagine something more toned down, similar to a flannel with a vest. Wyman’s choices in outfits were carefully curated to present himself in a certain way, and this was the best time to communicate what he wanted to present himself as during the shoot. When it comes to headshots, clothes truly do maketh the man!
Clothes aren’t all there is to characterisation. Background, lighting and expressions just to name a few are imperative to achieving the perfect character. Wyman and Mark initially went for more moody shots, using the grey backdrop and a range of expressions, from happy to sad to angry, whilst also switching between outfits. This meant they could achieve not only the perfect intimidating, emotional and sullen look to pull at all of the casting director’s heartstrings, but also experiment with the contrast of a beaming smile from Wyman against harsh-yet-flattering lighting. To get a wider range, they switched to the pearl-white backdrop, perfect for more commercial shoots and cheery roles. Once the hour-and-a-half was up, Wyman and Mark took a look through them, and evaluated if anything needed reshooting or changing until both of them were happy to call it a wrap. What happens after this, you ask? Wyman (the client) would then receive a folder with every single viable shot, and once he’s carefully selected his favourites, Mark expertly edits it to industry standard, and then viola! After a few days they would be sat, ready in Wyman’s inbox.
But that’s enough about us, and our technique. We wanted to get to know Wyman a bit better. After a quick discussion about how important a right looking headshots is to a casting director, we got onto agencies themselves. For any non-actors reading, agencies represent actors in the casting world, putting them forward for any and all roles suitable and generally helping guide them through the terrifying world that is TV and Film acting. A solid, trustworthy, and approachable agent is vital for this exact reason, however, some actors tend to shy away from approaching them for a shot at joining them. Truthfully, you have nothing to lose! Whether you’re new and inexperienced, or ScarJo herself, worst case scenario is you may get a rejection, or no reply back. Ouch. Although this may sting, it means you can still continue forwards with your acting career, just with another agency who’s a better fit for you. Speaking of headshots, a good agent should also look over your headshots, picking which one to submit with caution.
Long story short, a great headshot is vital to getting your dream role. For Wyman, it happened to be an action-based role, for you it may be something more romantic, or perhaps a horror, but whatever it is, Dock Street Studio would love to have you and help you start or continue a flourishing career in the acting world.