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Tag: acting career los angeles

Seda Stepanyan
August 19, 2021
How to Communicate with your LA Headshot Photographer?

It is not a secret that communication is key to every relationship, and the relationship between headshot photographer and actor is not an exception. Nowadays, you can look through professional LA headshot photographer s’ websites, social media pages like Facebook or Instagram, google and yelp reviews to get the idea of who you are going to deal with. Usually, people choose someone whose work they love and whoever they can afford. We have collected a few tips on how to communicate with your headshot photographer to ensure you are on the same page. 

Send your headshot photographer samples of photos that inspire you! 

Photographers are mostly visual. If you wish to create a specific character, style, or mood, show them the images that are close to what you are looking to get. Sometimes people can understand your words differently. This is why we recommend you to show rather than tell. One of my clients once told me she wanted a headshot that was “commercial, sexy, powerful and at the same time vulnerable”. I told her to show me. And after a couple of hours, she sent me a couple of headshots from my portfolio and it became clear what she wanted. 

My clients send me photos from my website or Instagram or other LA headshot photographer s’ works just to clearly explain what they want. Mostly, they are looking for some specific character or feeling, sometimes it’s just a lighting style. 

What character are you going to create?

When my clients call me to schedule a headshot session this is one of the first questions that I ask them: “What character are you going to portray? What are their features? Is it a leading woman? A housewife? A girl next door?”. And when we have the answers we start working on creating the characters, defining the style, clothes, backdrop colors, etc. I usually send them samples of every character to make it easier for them to choose. They also send me a list of movie character names to make it more understandable. 

Choose the best way to communicate with your headshot photographer! 

Based on my experience, most of my clients prefer to communicate over the phone, however, some prefer to text or email. If you feel it takes too much time and effort to describe your thoughts it is better to call or even to schedule a meeting or a facetime call before the shoot. It will help us both to get a clearer picture of what we are going to create. 

During the free consultation, I’m happy to brainstorm with you, discuss all the details, answer all the questions you might have. I even recommend you a makeup and hairstyle and makeup artists and hairstylists. And at one point we start talking by texting or emailing photos to each other to better explain what we mean. 

What if you don’t like your headshots?

This is a topic for a whole blog post that I’ll write in future. However, I’d like to give you an idea of how this process goes on. During the headshot session, I show you your images so that you know how to look on the camera. It helps you to make changes if you don’t like anything in your posture, clothes, hair or makeup; or if there’s something that bothers you concerning studio lighting of the backdrop color. We fix everything and continue to shoot. After the session, I offer my clients to stay and take a look at their headshots on a big screen so that we can shoot again while you are at the studio. My clients always leave the studio already knowing which images they’re going to choose for the retouch.  

In which cases you can get a free reshoot?

After receiving all the images you think you don’t like any of them, you can call me and tell me about it. If there’s something wrong with lighting, angle, or background that you didn’t like I will always offer you a free reshoot to fix it. And no matter, you told me everything was fine while you were checking out the images at the studio. However, I don’t take “I just don’t like my headshots” as an answer. If you don’t like them because of your hair, makeup or anything else that was your responsibility it will not be fair to blame the photographer for it. It happened to me once, though.

In conclusion!

Make sure you share all your thoughts with your photographer with the help of images. Take time to call your LA headshot photographer before the session, or even schedule a video call or meet her in person. Be sure you like everything in your photos before leaving the my Los Angeles photo studio. Don’t hesitate to ask for a reshoot if you don’t like anything that has to do with the photographer’s skills.

You can view more Professional Headshots | Los Angeles Headshot Photographer on our home page.  Check out our headshot photography pricing/rates.

 

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Seda Stepanyan
February 2, 2021
Top Talent Agencies in Los Angeles

If you know where to find the top acting agencies, you will succeed in your acting career in Los Angeles. This is because acting agencies help the actors find the best-paid options for movies, TV shows, commercials, theater, etc. Overall, acting agencies are groups of talent agents who are connected to various acting directors. Therefore, they will find opportunities for you that you would probably have difficulties finding. Also, they are beneficial for casting directors too, as they help find and hire the most talented actors in accordance with the role.

When you sign a contract with an acting agency, they automatically take several responsibilities. Such is presenting some marketing tools about you to the auditions. One of the most crucial ones is your acting headshot. They can also suggest where to find a professional headshot photographer. Also, where to find good acting schools in order to prepare yourself for your acting career in Los Angeles. Besides, they present your resume, call and speak with acting directors about your advantages, and help in callback auditions. It is also essential to be able to negotiate for higher pay if needed. However, acting agents are not responsible for improving your acting, boosting your image, etc. There are specific things you will be responsible for yourself.

One research done taking into account several dimensions of client opinion, reputation, etc., introduces 6 top acting agencies, which you can find below.

William Morris Endeavor

According to research, this was overall the best acting agency that will help you succeed in your acting career in Los Angeles. William Morris Endeavor was initially created as William Morris Agency in 1989. Then, it united with Endeavor Agency and became the largest talent agency in the world. WME has offices in New York City, London, Sidney, etc. Overall, in 25 countries. About 3 million people work here. It represents some famous and loved actors of Hollywood such as Joaquin Phoenix, Millie Bobby Brown, etc.

WME works not only with actors but also with musicians, athletes, comedians, with other talents. As the top acting agency in the world, it ensures that you will get the role you want as an actor. However, it is also understandable that this agency will choose you if only you have an effective resume. Therefore, this may not be the best option for beginners. Although, there are some ways to impress WME and start working with it. Start with less famous and smaller agencies. Try to get substantial roles, which you can show in your resume then. Present yourself in a satisfactory manner, even through your personal connections. Try to be effective in your acting headshot and resume. You can also create YouTube and other videos that will be viral.

Creative Artists Agency

Creative Artists Agency’s main competitor is William Morris Endeavor, mentioned above. So, this is the second top acting agency in the world. It was founded in 1975 in Los Angeles. The latter ensures your rise in your Los Angeles acting career. Although it was founded in Los Angeles, it managed to spread worldwide. Now, CAA has agencies in the US, Asia, and Europe. CAA has about 2 million employees, less than its main competitor. It works with talents of television, sports, social media, etc. Clients include Jeremy Renner, Melissa McCarthy, etc.

As this is the second top agency worldwide, it also seeks to work with quite professional and already well-known actors. That is why, here too, you have to start with little agency and try to present yourself in a sufficient way while applying for CAA. Here, finding a professional headshot photographer will help you stand out. Using your connections may be beneficial too while trying to impress talent agents.

Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates

This agency is among the top acting agencies as the best for theater Los Angeles acting career. It was founded in 1957 in Los Angeles. KMR was initially famous as The Wormser Agency. When it opened its New York office in 2002, it quickly became one of the leading boutique agencies. Usually, acting agencies concentrate on finding good opportunities for actors in highly paid areas. Such are movies, TV shows, etc. The uniqueness of KMR is that it prioritizes the theater roles a lot, encouraging actors to find roles there. Hence, it prepares all the marketing tools, including acting headshots, corresponding to it.

However, Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates does not only concentrate on theater. Its clients also can land roles for commercials, TV, film, etc. KMR has given professional actors to famous shows such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, etc. The most significant advantage of KMR is that it values every actor and seeks to represent those with disabilities too. Overall, every actor can contact KMR via email, as this agency is not as famous and large as those mentioned above. It is more “friendly” and beneficial for those who look especially for theater acting. It helps actors who just start their career and agrees to represent them.

Central Casting

You will not become famous in an acting career and get the leading roles as quickly as you may imagine. In the beginning, most of the actors start from background roles. Among the top acting agencies, we have searched for, the one which is beneficial for a background acting career is Central Casting. It was founded in 1925 in Los Angeles. At that time, about 35.000 actors lived in Los Angeles who were seeking background roles. After 90 years, CC became the top background acting agency and opened its offices in New York, Atlanta, etc. It has worked with professional artists like Will Ferrell and Eva Longoria.

One of the main benefits of Central Casting is that it suggests its own payroll services. This helps make sure that the actors they are working with will get paid by the workplace on time. Hence, when CC starts working with any production, it makes sure they use its payroll management services. CC is open to working with any actor. The steps are simple. You should find the application form on the website first. You will then visit one of the CC offices, complete some paperwork, get photographed for an acting headshot by a professional headshot photographer for the database, etc. Central Casting is open for every actor too.  

Gersh

Gersh is the best top acting agency for working actors. It was founded in 1949 in Beverly Hills. The founder was Phil Gersh, after whom the agency is named. Now Gersh’s two sons own the agency. Initially, it was founded in Beverly Hills but now has offices in New York too. During its existence, the agency represented actors like Jamie Foxx, Adam Driver, etc. Thanks to it, lots of nowadays famous actors got their roles in loved productions. Tobey Maguire landed his role as Spider-Man, for instance. Gersh works with talents of theater, TV, films.

Gersh is not as huge and famous an agency as WWE and CAA are. That is why it accepts to work with actors who are not that famous yet and are just starting their acting career. And, usually, the actors working with Gersh find themselves in larger acting agencies later, as they gain experience thanks to Gersh. For cooperation with Gersh, there is a need for industry referral. This is when someone in the actor’s network refers to him/her to submit materials. Actors with good representations and good working experience will have an opportunity to work with Gersh. That is why you should review your resume carefully and ask for help from a professional headshot photographer.

Boals, Winnett & Associates

Boals, Winnett & Associates was founded in 2002 in New York. As you have already noticed, this one is a bit younger agency but has already managed to become the top acting agency for beginners. It will help you in your film, television, and Broadway acting career in Los Angeles. This professional agency helped its clients get roles in Broadway, television, and film such as The Irishman, Mean Girls, Waitress, etc. BWA, during his existence years, has worked with famous actors like Isabelle McCalla and Mia Pinero. They have played accordingly in The Prom and West Side Story.

Boals, Winnett & Associates helps its clients in landing auditions, building resumes, etc. Therefore, it will make sure you are going to the right professional headshot photographer and have a high quality and powerful acting headshot. This top acting agency also makes sure you will have a well-organized shoutout on social media pages. If you are a beginner and are interested, you can submit the needed documents via email. In case of need, they will call you for an interview by appointment. Remember to connect via email, as phone calls or drop-offs are not accepted.

The costs of acting agencies

When the acting agency finds it convenient to work with you, the payment also will be included in the contract. Usually, if you get the role you wanted, you should pay some compensation to the acting agency. If you are a union actor, you will pay about 10% of your salary. Non-union actors pay approximately 20% of their salary. That is why most of the top acting agencies want to make sure you are a professional actor and you are going to have a promising acting career in Los Angeles. They want to make sure they will benefit from signing a contract with you. Also, remember that sometimes actors complain that the acting agencies speak about some upfront payments. Legitimate agencies do not do so. So, be aware.

Is using this service worth it?

You may think that you can present yourself perfectly too. So why is there a need for acting agents? The thing is that the productions do not always share all the role requests publicly. They share some of them with professional acting agencies to make sure they will find good actors for the role. The more experience the acting agency has, the much is the possibility of having strong connections with the acting directors. So, they will be the link between you. You may be extremely busy during your acting career in Los Angeles. So, acting agents are also for helping you complete some acting works you will not be able to complete. In that way, you can totally concentrate on your playing, and even have free time for your hobbies and the things you enjoy. Relaxation may be very beneficial for you.

Summing up

There are tons of acting agencies worldwide. So how to distinguish top acting agencies? The best method is to do it, taking into account several dimensions. For instance, as you have already noticed, we have separated top agencies for theater, beginners, background roles, etc. The idea was to find the best ones in different areas. In addition, we have also paid huge attention to client reviews and feedback. The best way to know about the agency is to consider people’s opinions who have already used the service. We have also paid attention to whether the agency was famous worldwide and to its reputation.

As you have also noticed, there are agencies founded in the 1920s and 2000s. However, the difference of over a decade does not make their high qualities differ. Indeed, the hugest agencies like WME and CAA will have more experience and other preferences of choosing actors than smaller companies. The reason is they want to make sure the contract and their work will pay off, and you will get the role you want. It is worth taking acting agencies. Especially when they have strong connections and can help you get the roles that are not offered publicly. These agencies will help you build the needed resume, with a suitable acting headshot done by a professional headshot photographer, validly present your experience. They will organize the meetings with casting directors and will do some part of your job, letting you have more free time.

So, hope this was useful and will help you succeed in your Los Angeles acting career.

You can view more Professional Headshots | Los Angeles Headshot Photographer on our home page.  Check out our headshot photography pricing/rates. 

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Seda Stepanyan
January 16, 2021
6 Professional Headshot Mistakes

Professional headshots will help you to get noticed, while the weak ones may ruin your success in being chosen. What this means is, when the casting directors get thousands of headshots of actors, sometimes most of them look quite similar. Hence, they have a hard time understanding who stands out. They will try to pick the most professional headshots at first. If they choose your headshot, after this, only you will have an opportunity to show your personality besides your appearance.

If you go to the right Los Angeles headshot photographer, they will already know how to make your headshot stand out as an outstanding marketing tool. Yes, headshots are marketing tools in acting, as, depending on how you will present yourself, you will be either chosen or not. People usually try to pay attention to headshot pricing and then choose an affordable headshot option for them. But the most important part is to be sure the quality will be high. Even if you are quite far from photography, you can notice which headshot will make you stand out, which not. Below, we introduce some tips on what makes the headshot ruined and less effective and how to avoid it.

1. No Concentration on Eyes

It is not a secret that movies have an emotional influence on the viewers. And, oftentimes, we choose what to watch based on our mood. The ones who transfer the emotion and feeling to the audience are the actors. Hence, the casting directors will, first of all, look at your headshot. They will pay attention to whether your headshot is effective or not. Indeed, there are some deadpan characters for whose role it will be arduous to find the most efficient ways of transferring emotions. However, some methods can always be used for professional headshots.

One of the best ways to be effective is to do it through the actor’s eyes. Your Los Angeles headshot photographer will concentrate on your gaze in the headshot. Our eye contact and gaze behavior are some of the most critical parts of our non-verbal communication. They are parts of our body language, where we express ourselves parallel to or without words. Good eye contact can break the ice and make a connection between people, while a bad one can cut the link.

It is also essential that the casting directors are not only affected by your gaze but also see that it is natural. You have to see your nature in it too and be in your most relaxed condition. This is the key in professional headshots, and headshot pricing should, indeed, include trials of making you comfortable and natural. Indeed, as we mentioned in the Actors’ “Type” in Los Angeles blog, you can expand your characteristics and personality a bit to fit the character you want.

2. No Plan

To succeed in our initiatives, we need to have a clearly defined purpose and see the target outcome beforehand. Just as a business tries to make a final product to sell, you are trying to make a final professional headshot to be accepted for the role you want. Before doing a headshot affordable for you, you should do long research and understand your purpose. What genre of movies is the best for you? Which character personality suits your traits the most? What kind of shows are you the most obsessed with? Create a clear vision, also by using the methods mentioned in the previous blog on how to find your “type.”

It would help if you never left the question of understanding your headshot’s purpose to the imagination of the casting directors. You should show it on your own, without letting them come to a wrong conclusion. Indeed, we often have one professional headshot for several roles, like we adjust our resume for different jobs, but you have to be realistic. It is obvious that you cannot present yourself with the same headshot to get both the role of a kind, loving dad and a serial killer. Again, you cannot have the same headshot for the role of “girl next door” and “queen bee.” If you choose a place with affordable headshots, you can get two separate headshots for the two roles. But, again, make your purpose and vision clear, then discuss it with your headshot photographer in Los Angeles to find the best option.

3. A Wrong Background

Professional headshots’ main concentration is on the person. However, the background is also something noticeable and essential in your headshot. They try to choose beforehand what to hold the photo camera’s focus on before starting shooting. And, your Los Angeles headshot photographer will know that it should exactly be you. There should not be very colorful, huge, and distracting objects in the background. They will distract the attention of the viewer from your eyes to the background, which is not beneficial for you. The eye effect is essential, while the red picture in the background, for example, will catch the attention first.

Colors are significant. They should create the mood you want and be corresponding to the character’s traits you are willing to get chosen for. For getting the role of “bad boy biker,” you have to create a dark and mysterious atmosphere, indeed. However, pay attention not to blend into the background. Imagine you wear a black leather jacket that suits the mentioned role to get the headshot, and you have black hair. If you choose a black background, it will ruin your headshot. The latter will underline just your floating face. You will profit if you try to examine not only headshot pricing and lead yourself with them, but also the previous works of the photographer. This will help you to be sure he or she is good at this part.

4. Unprofessional Makeup

It is well known that women use makeup to look more good-looking and highlight their beauty in daily life. However, makeup is also often needed in an acting career, where you have to present yourself right under different lighting, for instance. But, before getting to the movie, you have to introduce yourself in your headshot right to be chosen. Professional makeup will make both you and your headshot look professional, while the bad one may spoil the opinion about you.

Here are some common types of good and bad makeup. We already said that eyes and gaze are a crucial part of your headshot as they create connection and underline your personality. That is why you have to be very attentive to your eye makeup. Too heavy eye makeup will hide the message your eyes should transmit. Make sure your foundation does not look like clay or is gray. Also, pay attention to matching skin tones. This is one of the most obvious problems that will make you look less professional.

Your makeup should be appropriate for you. It should be suitable for your age, first of all. If you are relatively young, do not use too dark colors. On the contrary, it is not appropriate to use the brightest colors if you are going to apply for the role of a grandmother. Examine your character beforehand. Understand its personality and traits. Choose makeup and colors based on it. Headshot pricing, indeed, will not include doing makeup. If you are used to doing your makeup yourself, this time, probably, you will need professional help. If you choose an affordable headshot, you will have the opportunity to save money for this. The professional will notice what you are doing wrong and advise on how to be more effective. Surely, as in the case of headshot pricing, you will look at makeup pricing too, but, again, try to choose a professional with high-quality works.

5. Badly Chosen Wardrobe

You should research beforehand to find out your “type” as an actor and find it out based on your personality traits and other dimensions. Knowing your type in advance will also help you to have an appropriate wardrobe for it. This is because you will already know that you are the best at serious roles such as a lawyer, for example. And, hence, you will have an appropriate wardrobe, including costumes and ties. For “bad boy biker,” as mentioned above, you will need a wardrobe full of black leather jackets, for example.

However, be attentive while choosing how to appear to your Los Angeles photographer to get your professional headshot. Your clothes should not be the first thing the viewer notices. On the contrary, it should be the last thing. Any distracting thing on your clothes or your clothes themselves can ruin your headshot. Such can be some shiny buttons or snaps, very light designs, etc. These will distract the viewer from your eyes, which is the most crucial part of your headshot. Headshot pricing often does not include clothing. However, you can discuss your appearance with your photographer and take advice.

Another aspect here is that appearance is not the most crucial part of an actor. The most vital is how the actor creates the personality of the role right, how he or she plays and transfers emotions to the audience. Hence, your distracting appearance in the headshot may tell the casting directors that you will appear with similar clothing if you get the role. In addition, this may suggest that you will choose something that will make you move with difficulty, for example, and disturb acting properly. That is why, while choosing a photographer for an affordable headshot and managing to save money for your clothing, try to be wise while buying clothes. Choose clothes corresponding to the role, but avoid anything distracting. 

6. Wrong Lighting

Light is one of the keys in photography. Not only is the photo successful with the presence of appropriate lighting, but also the lighting is what creates the wanted environment. With the company of shadows, you will create a mysterious atmosphere, for example. While a luminous environment will be a sign of lightness and easiness. No need to tell that you can make you more corresponding to the role you want in this way.

However, again, the most essential part of your professional headshot is you, not the environment. Your face and head are the things which should be seen the most obviously. This is because the casting directors want to know who they are going to work with. They want to know your exact appearance characteristics, and it would be great to see your eyes clearly. Imagine a shadow on one of your eyes; it will cut the link. Indeed, you will need some shadows for some edgier characters, but make sure to let your eyes be highlighted. Overall, make sure your headshot pricing includes this important aspect too, and discuss the lighting with your headshot photographer in Los Angeles beforehand.

Summing up the Professional Headshot Mistakes

To sum up, we went through how headshot shooting details may ruin your headshot and make you look less professional. Besides, we went through how to avoid those mistakes and get a strong headshot to get chosen for the role you want. Remember, your eyes and gaze behavior are the most important. Do not try to hide them; on the contrary, underline them. Also, pay attention to the lightning; it should neither cover your eyes nor other essential parts of your face. The casting directors want to see it. Do not forget to do research beforehand to find out your “type.” This will help you understand better what environment to create and how beneficially introduce yourself. Avoid distracting background and distracting clothing. Anything that can move the acting directors’ attention from your eyes you should avoid.

Indeed, your Los Angeles headshot photographer should know these details. Hence, you can always discuss them with her or him and get advice. Make sure the headshot pricing includes all the essential elements you already know about. Consider that makeup and wardrobe are your responsibility. Hence, pay attention to choosing an affordable headshot session to do your preparation correctly. If you want to get some information about pricing and find an affordable package, you can visit our headshot pricing page.

Hope this was helpful!

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You can view more Professional Headshots | Los Angeles Headshot Photographer on our home page.  Check out our headshot photography pricing/rates. 

 

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Mirdon
June 5, 2020
YouTube for Actors in Los Angeles

The world develops very fast, and today it is a must to be aware of the new technologies. One of the main reasons is that they may create new opportunities for you. Many people dream about a successful acting career. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I know how challenging the road to success is. Actors in Los Angeles attend various Los Angeles acting schools and casting studios. They try to find different agents, producers, directors, etc. to market themselves and get their dream role in the movie. There are many stories in history when famous actors have been discovered in different places, such as streets or cafes.

But nowadays, many tools may help actors in Los Angeles to market themselves and gain an audience. And those tools have made the process of becoming famous, more simple, and quicker. One of the tools is YouTube, and there are many ways that actors can benefit from it. This platform can help you express yourself, get creative in filming videos, and gain attention from a lot of people. And maybe YouTube will open many doors for you. Below you can read about why you should start using YouTube and the main benefits that you can get from it.

Free Marketing

Creating an account and uploading videos on YouTube is free. Especially for beginner actors, this is an excellent opportunity to market themselves and not pay for that. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, who works with actors and takes affordable headshots for them, I know that marketing may be costly for actors. Of course, in order to have a quality account on YouTube, you have to put a lot of effort into it. If you get creative and spend some time making videos, I am sure you will gain your audience, and people will start to pay attention to you. In addition to this, if people like your videos, they will begin to share it with others. So more people will follow you. And maybe a producer will notice you and offer you a role in a movie.

The hardest part is to start, but I can assure you that the process will go smoothly once you begin. Here is a video on how to start a YouTube channel and grow it. I hope that this may help you to start your YouTube channel right now. 

Youtube Gives Freedom to Your Creativity

As I have mentioned above, creativity is one of the main parts of a successful and exciting YouTube channel. And what’s more important is that this platform gives you a huge room to express your creativity. If you spend some time researching and watching different videos on YouTube, you will notice that the content is diverse. People try to create videos about everything in order to stand out. In addition to this, you take the whole responsibility for your job, and you can control it as you want. You can decide when you want to post videos and what its content should be. 

As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, it is essential for me to control the whole creative process. Usually, I have many ideas and I want to make them into reality. I think this is a crucial part for creative people, and actors in Los Angeles can gain a lot of experience from Youtube. Hence have an opportunity to express themselves and give freedom to their ideas and creativity.

Gain Experience and Learn from Other Actors

You can also benefit from YouTube by watching videos of other actors and by learning from them. There are a lot of useful videos that may interest you. For example, you can watch how famous actors auditioned for their roles. It is always interesting to see how they developed their skills through years, and how they were acting at the beginning of their career. You can also follow other actors in Los Angeles who have their blogs on YouTube. Try to learn how they promote their accounts and what they do to grow it. Learning from others is one of the essential parts of becoming successful. Following others’ experience is critical. I highly recommend you to search for new people and pay attention to details. This doesn’t mean that you are copying from them. You just learn from people who have experience and can help you in the process of becoming successful.

Also, you can make new friends and be part of a big community. Provide your help to them as well, and share your experience. Remember, that you may know something which can be helpful for a young actor. As you may already know, networking is vital in your career, so pay attention to it. Here you can read some helpful information about actors’ networking events in Los Angeles.

A New Format of Casting

Another way that you, as an actor in Los Angeles, can benefit from YouTub is online casting. Maybe you are used to traditional casting methods. But with the help of YouTube, you can post your demo reels, and everyone will be able to see it. This gives you more chances that someone may notice you and call for an audition. YouTube makes your job more comfortable than it was before. Now, the chances of getting a role increase because agents search for talented people everywhere. Of course, YouTube is one of the most significant sources. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I would highly encourage you to pay massive attention to your demo reels. It also may open many doors for you. You can show your talents in a couple of minutes. And believe me, it will be enough for directors or producers to become interested in you. 

This is a great tool, and try to use it wisely. High-quality videos grab more attention, and in addition to that, this will make you seem professional and prepared. So don’t forget to make a quality product and in some time you will see the result.

Upload Trailers of Your Movies

You can post the trailers of the movies on your YouTube account if you have already acted in different movies. This will not only help you to promote your film but also will show the audience your work. They will be able to see your skills in a real movie. Also, this will add to your professionalism and confirm that you are an experienced actor. If you have a couple of thousands of followers, then your audience will share your trailer with other people. Hence it will gain a lot of views. If the audience likes the movie, usually they want to see how the film was made, or some backstage videos. For example, if I like a movie, I always search for backstage videos or photos to understand the making process. You can post some interesting videos, and with the help of it, the movie will gain more attention.

These types of videos are not only exciting, but they also create a very warm feeling, because actors show themselves outside of the role. 

You Can Generate Income

After some time, when you gain an audience with a lot of followers and become trusted by them, you can start to earn money on YouTube. You can make money from views, advertisements, likes, etc. Nowadays, many YouTubers earn a lot of money because they have millions of followers. In time, they start to do ads, make contracts, have partners, and make a huge amount of money. Of course, this may not happen immediately, because you will not have a lot of followers from the beginning. And also, you should not start YouTube with the thought that you are going to earn a lot of money. Your biggest goal from YouTube has to be the desire to get noticed by others and gain an audience. Monetization comes second, but of course, it is an excellent way to earn money.

Personally, I have favorite YouTubers who make different advertisements in their videos. Still, they try to do it in a very balanced and creative way. So the audience doesn’t even get distracted from it. To conclude, everything is good if you make it with a sense of taste. 

YouTube is Available for You Every Day

When you post a video on YouTube, it stays there as much as you want. So that means that people can watch it 24/7. YouTube will not take the video away from the platform (unless it doesn’t contain any privacy problems). This will help you to promote yourself and track how your audience is reacting to your videos. For example, you can see which video got more views, likes, comments, etc. With this, you will understand which type of content is more enjoyable for your audience and interests them the most. Hence you will post more content like that. It is always important to listen to the needs of your audience because they are the ones who follow you. As the videos stay on your account forever, people will be able to watch them later and get to know you.

Step-by-step, you will notice how the number of subscribers is increasing. In addition to this new people will visit your account in order to get to know you. Also, after a couple of years, you can look back at your first videos. You will see how time changed you and that each next video is even better than the previous one.

Film Your Small Movies

If you don’t get role offers for a long time, or the ones that you get are not appropriate for you, then you can start to film your own small movies. You can write a small interesting script and start filming according to that script. This will help you to show your acting skills, and many directors and producers may get interested in you. If you can’t find a role in movies, in the beginning, don’t give up and start finding alternatives. This is a perfect way to illustrate your creativity and also to gain an audience which is important for actors in Los Angeles.

For example, if you start filming a mini-series and post it weekly, people will be interested in the next episode. You can invite your friends or family members to help you with filming. You can even ask them to play a role in your small movie. This will not be expensive, and also you will have a great time with the people you love. And they will enjoy the process. YouTube gives room for a lot of creativity. If you open your imagination, I am sure you will come up with some great ideas. People always search for new content, so be sure that your content will find its audience. 

As a Conclusion

As you can notice, there are many ways that YouTube can help you in your career. In reality, it is one of the best tools for not only actors in Los Angeles but everyone. The internet has become an enormous source of information. People started to search for different information and people on the internet. Technologies have made the life of people a couple of times more comfortable. If you examine the road of success of other people, you will notice that they didn’t have as many resources as you have today. So you should be wise enough to use those resources and take opportunities. Today many people become famous and start to build their successful careers from YouTube. And it is always interesting to watch them and see how they develop their careers day by day. 

As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I highly recommend you start your YouTube account and try to grow it. It will take time, and of course, the process will not be effortless, but as you already understood, it is worth it. So move forward and build your career as an actor in Los Angeles with your everyday hard work.

What to read next: How To Get Professional Realtor Headshots in 2022

Learn more about headshot pricing in Los Angeles.

Click here to book a headshot session in Downtown Los Angeles.

You can view more Professional Headshots | Los Angeles Headshot Photographer on our home page. 

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Mirdon
April 16, 2020
Photography Trends 2020

As we live in the 21st century, it is crucial to make sure that we follow the trends of our industry. Me, as a headshot photographer in Los Angeles who takes affordable headshots, I always try to catch up with everything new that happens in the world. This helps to develop my skills and provide quality products to my clients. Clients always look for something unique and fresh, and they want to have pictures that are one-of-a-kind. And the job of a photographer is not only to press the shutter button but also to make their imagination a reality and be creative with it.

Following photography, trends help you to be one step ahead from others and please your clients. It may seem that headshot rates in Los Angeles are relatively high, and one of the main reasons to explain this is that headshot photographers in Los Angeles always do their best to provide the best results. So, to have high demand in this industry, you have to be aware of photography trends and be able to use them in your profession. In this article, I will introduce to you the main photography trends of 2020. 

1. Vibrant Colors 

Pictures with bright colors help to grab the attention of people. Today, vibrant colors remain one of the main photography trends. As I am a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I always try to make not only trendy but also natural pictures. And sometimes, it may seem that vibrant colors are making a fake effect. But believe me, if you are doing it with style, it will catch an eye. If you are taking pictures of a client, at first, you will decide the style of pictures and then proceed to the photoshoot. If they like such kind pictures with bright tones, then I am sure you will have a lot of room to play with bright colors. When clients hire a photographer in Los Angeles to do photoshoots, they usually want to rely on their skills, and they want to trust the photographer’s sense of style. So don’t be afraid to experiment with vibrant colors. They are among photography trends in 2020.

2. Minimalistic Style 

Minimalism is always in photography trends in 2020. One of the greatest things about minimalism is that sometimes it can transform more meaning and feelings to the viewer than other pictures. Minimalistic pictures are always very compelling. It helps to focus on a specific object, and with the help of it, you, as a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, will be able to capture both emotions and meaning. Transforming some kind of idea or deep meaning through pictures is one of the hardest jobs of a photographer. Of course, it may not be simple at first, but as you master, you will notice that you enjoy taking minimalistic pictures. Especially when you are taking affordable headshots or fashion pictures, minimalistic style can create unique results. Right now, there are a lot of apps and tools which make pictures look overdone and not very appealing. So minimalistic style will make your pictures stand out.

3. Nostalgic Style

Especially nowadays, the vintage style is very trendy. Many people want their pictures to be in that style because it helps to have not ordinary pictures. The style of the 60s or 70s is very famous among clients. Also, this gives room for a lot of creativity. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I know that this will give you a lot of ideas. And also, there are a lot of different effects and tools which help to create nostalgic pictures.

For example, an effortless way to create a nostalgic style is the black and white effect. It immediately creates a vintage mood, and a little bit of creativity with clothes and background will create a total nostalgic style picture. It would also be interesting to mix vintage style with the modern style. If you do this moderately then, I am sure you will create one of a kind pictures.

4. Ecology

Right now, one of the main issues that the world faces is connected with ecology. Many headshot photographers in Los Angeles are trying to raise this issue with their pictures. And actually, they are very successful in raising awareness of such important problems. This became a photography trend in recent years, and many companies hire photographers in Los Angeles to take pictures for environmental projects. This helped to spread information to the whole world, and step-by-step make changes. One of the roles of photographers is not only to take pictures of different people but also help to raise issues through photography. And sometimes visuals can make more impact than anything else. So, another photography trends in 2020 is to choose some issues connected to ecology (and not only) and try to raise awareness about it through your art.

5. Symbolism

Symbolism is one of the most interesting and at the same time most significant or powerful tools in photography. Symbols help to transform a vast meaning, and photographers can experiment with it in different ways. This gives an opportunity to the headshot photographer in Los Angeles to express their thoughts and deep ideas in one picture. This is one of the most exciting photography trends, and the result can be exciting. I will highly recommend you to explore symbols and symbolism. It will help in the process of taking affordable headshots, and also it will be easier for you to make one-of-a-kind pictures. You just need to make your ideas into reality. Maybe you will work on one image longer than you did while you were taking pictures in other styles, but I want to assure you that it’s worth it. Here is a small video which can be a guide for you in understanding what symbolism is, if you don’t know much about it yet.  

6. Unusual Beauty and Raw Shots 

Especially in recent years, this photography trend started to gain popularity, and it is not losing its power until today. Nowadays, natural and unusual beauty is very much appreciated, and headshot photographers in Los Angeles are trying to include such kind of beauty in their photoshoots. This trend has shaped the industry, and now people are valuing natural beauty. Try to experiment with non-traditional things, and in the process, you will fall in love with what you do. This may be helpful while doing affordable headshots because nowadays, people hire photographers in Los Angeles to have pictures that show their real beauty without any additional attribute. This will be trendy for a long time because people are starting to value natural beauty more and more. 

7. 360 Photography Style

360 photography is one of the most exciting photography trends in 2020. This trend is especially beneficial for some kind of product photography. As the name tells, with the help of this technique, you will be able to capture the full product. These types of pictures are more appealing to customers. In addition to this, with the help of 360 photography, you can take magnificent pictures of different landscapes, buildings, or interiors. For example, if your client wants to take a picture of the room, you can use this helpful technique to show the room entirely. There are a lot of tools and technological updates that help to create such kinds of pictures. And also, it is always fun to experiment with new ideas and see how it changes the appearance of different objects, landscapes, etc. Here are a couple of unique locations in Los Angeles where you can try the 360 photography technique. 

8. Neon Lights

Neon has become widely popular, especially in the past couple of years. Clothing, neon objects, hair color is very much trendy right now. If you want your pictures to be famous or well-known to many people, I highly recommend you to use neon lights, colors or attributes in the photoshoot process. If you take affordable headshots in a neon-themed way, then definitely, you will have different results. Ultraviolet lights can make your pictures even more impressive and give it some kind of a vibe.

To make your pictures even more surprising, I recommend you to take photos at night. Because in the darkness, neon lights look more beautiful. For example, you can take a picture of an empty street and add neon lights to it. If you use neon lights correctly while taking affordable headshots, it will create a youthful atmosphere. And many people will like the energy that the atmosphere transforms.

9. Film Style Photography

It is exciting to notice how fast the film style photography trend is growing. As technology is upgrading a lot of new digital cameras are being introduced to the world. And every photographer tries to have the best camera. But even in the 21st century, many manufacturers are introducing film cameras. Today there are a lot of apps that provide many filters to create quick film style pictures. And even the most modern image can be transformed with the help of these filters. But the quality that film cameras make will not be comparable to any kind of filter. Of course, both film photography and digital photography create magnificent pictures, but for a professional headshot photographer, it is crucial to be a master of these both. 

10. Including All Ages

People of every age are beautiful and interesting. For every photographer, it is vital to make sure that with their pictures, they can capture the beauty of everyone and show their character. Many companies want to engage in their campaigns for people of different ages. This is part of the marketing activities because they want to show that their product or service is for everyone. The work of photographers is to show the real beauty of every age, and most importantly, demonstrate how the picture can be changed, when the age of a person changes. This idea is one of the essential concepts, which is very trendy now. For every photographer, it is important to include diversity in their pictures. Experimenting with ages is a great way to show creativity in work and help people to feel comfortable at any age. Photography can make a massive change in how people see themselves. So, as a photographer, you can make a positive impact on people. 

11. Showing Emotions

Emotions are one of the best friends of real and beautiful pictures. Headshot photographers in Los Angeles always encourage their models to show real emotions as much as they can. Firstly this helps to create a great working atmosphere, and secondly, this allows taking honest pictures. If you can successfully show the raw and real emotions of your client, then I am sure they will be very pleased, and your pictures will be very trendy. Encourage your clients to show their emotions and, at the same time, quickly take pictures of everything that they try to explain. You will get a lot of great pictures, and at the end of the photoshoot, you will not be able to choose which one is better. And, you will notice that at the end of the photoshoot, both you and your client enjoyed the process, and this is one of the most important parts.

As a Conclusion…

 

If you want to be a successful photographer, then it is crucial to make sure that you follow all the photography trends. As you may understand, some of those trends are not changing in years, but with every year at least one new trend shows up. Develop your skills and, at the same time, follow the trends and use them. You can even create your style or trend, and if it is good enough, I am sure it will become famous among different photographers.

One of the greatest advantages of the industry is that there are no specific rules. Your biggest skill is your imagination, and you should decide how you must use it. If you are a professional photographer and enjoy your job, then I am sure you will be successful in utilizing every photography trend in your photoshoots. Be curious and explore your industry as much as you can.

What to read next: How To Get Professional Realtor Headshots in 2022

Learn more about headshot pricing in Los Angeles.

Click here to book a headshot session in Downtown Los Angeles.

You can view more Professional Headshots | Los Angeles Headshot Photographer on our home page. 

 

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Seda Stepanyan
March 9, 2020
10 Tips on Actors’ Career in Los Angeles

I am sure each day you listen or read a lot of advice on how to create a successful career. Me, being a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I also heard a lot of useful and important advice. But also in my career, I understood that being talented is never enough. Yes, if you are talented, then you will be noticed by many people. But besides talent, one of the most important things are the habits that you have as a professional, and how you develop them during your life. Habits can be a crucial part of any professional’s career, and more important is how you use and develop them step-by-step to become successful. I am sure every person has their own set of rules which are tested over time. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles who does affordable headshots for many young actors, I want to share the ten most important habits that can improve actors’ career in Los Angeles. 

1. Start Developing Your Listening Skills Right Now

Sometimes listening is better than talking. Knowing how to listen carefully is an essential skill, which helps you to orientate in many situations. It is not important what your profession is, if you are not a good listener, then I would advise you to dedicate time each day to master that skill. Because if you don’t know how to listen, then you will never become advanced as a professional. If you think that you are not a good listener, or you get distracted easily, then don’t panic, because it is possible to develop that skill. Have a goal to listen more and get as much information and knowledge as you can. Try to listen very carefully and keep eye contact, because it always helps. If you tell yourself that in front of you stands a person who can transform a huge amount of knowledge to you even in 10 minutes, then I am sure you will be able to listen and master your listening skills in a very short time.

2. Read More Books

Books develop the imagination of a person. As we grow older, we become busier in this quick life and don’t provide enough time for reading. But even if we read for ten pages in a day, it will make a great difference. If you read books, it will not only help you to become more developed and educated but also will help to understand how to create the character better. You can share your book with other actors, and they might also recommend you the new ones. This will help to develop networking with others and discuss the book with each other. If you are going to play a fictional character from the book, then it would be more useful to read the book rather than the script. Reading books will also master your language skills and will help you to express yourself more beautifully. And in addition to this, reading books is one of the most interesting and enjoyable things in the world. The one who reads books always stands out from the crowd.

3. New Mentors

It is hard to reach any success if you don’t have someone who will guide you and help during the journey. Each of us has at least someone in our life who motivates us and helps to move forward. Teachers and mentors are one of them. They help us to learn something new and acquire new information. And most importantly, it is always a pleasure to know that there is someone who wants to spend their time educating us. They may give very valuable advice which can be crucial in your career. But if you understand that you are not growing anymore with them and that there are no challenges for you, then you can always try to find new people who will create new challenges for you, and help you to develop. Being among the headshot photographers in Los Angeles, I also have important people in my life who play a very crucial role. But in addition to that, I always try to get to know new people who may bring something new with them, and I can learn many new things from them.

4. Follow the News

Our generation is lucky enough because we live in the 21st century, where many sources have been created for us to get more information. In one minute we can be informed about something new which happened on the other end of the world. In such a fast-developing industry, every actor must be informed about what happens in the world. It doesn’t mean that you must be an expert in every aspect, but being aware will never hurt. For example, it will help you with networking. You will always find a topic to speak to someone who is not from your industry. And this will help you to be a developed and interesting person. Successful actors’ career in Los Angeles is very much connected with the trends, so remember to be aware of them always. As I am one of the headshot photographers in Los Angeles, I always try to be aware of not only what happens in my industry but also all over the world. For example, in order to take affordable headshots, I examine what the new trends are, how to do something new, and create one-of-a-kind pictures. 

5. Decrease the Time Spent on Your Phones

Yes, I know what you may think. Above I have mentioned that you must follow the news every day. And most of us mostly do it with the help of our phones. But there are many other ways to get useful information. They become one of the most important parts of our daily life, and we can’t imagine our lives without them. Actually, the reality is that most of the time, we are just killing time with our phones. And the majority of the information that we get may be useless. And that distracts us from the important things. If you want to have a successful actors’ career in Los Angeles, you must know that your time is the most valuable thing, and you should take care of it. When I do affordable headshots for many actors In Los Angeles, I understand how they value their time, and they are very careful about how much time they spend daily on their phones.

6. Learn From the Best 

If you are a beginner actor, it is important to make sure that you learn from the giants in the industry. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should do exactly what they do. But when you watch a movie with a famous and talented actor in it, try to analyze and learn something from their acting. I am sure there are many techniques which can be useful for you and will help you to develop your techniques. In order to have a successful actors’ career in Los Angeles, you should learn as much as you can. And I am sure there are many people who can help you with their own experience and with their acting style. Headshot photographers in Los Angeles, also always try to learn. Because there are many people who have passed a tough and valuable road, and we can learn a lot from their journey. I highly recommend you to watch this fascinating and motivating TED talk by Adam Driver. 

7. Network

I have a separate article for this important topic, because it is too important. I’m not tired of saying that networking skill is the most essential skill in the actor’s life. And not only in an actor’s life but also in every professional’s career. You should always try to get to know different people. Try to attend events, classes or other places where you can meet interesting people. As I am a headshot photographer in Los Angeles who takes affordable headshots for actors with low photoshoot rates, I know many cases, when because of a certain person, an actor becomes successful. Of course, talent always plays a huge role, but imagine if you get to know a famous director who tries to find a new and fresh actor for his or her movies. Wouldn’t it be great if he would suggest that role to you? Of course, it would. So start mastering your networking skills, and be ready to meet new people. Here are a couple of networking dos and don’ts about which every actor must know. 

8. Explore Hobbies

Being in love with what you do is one of the best gifts that one can have. But dedicate time on doing something completely different than acting. Find new hobbies, and try to explore them. This will help to relax and clear your mind, and eventually, you’ll notice that your acting becomes better and better. I am sure there are many activities which might interest you. You can attend painting classes or do some sports etc. The most important thing is that it has to be different from your profession. Don’t be afraid of trying new things and experimenting with your abilities. For the actors’ career in Los Angeles, this is very important. Being a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I also have my favorite hobbies, which help me to turn off my mind and fully relax. And that helps to become more creative and create one-of-a-kind affordable headshots with low photoshoot rates in Los Angeles.

9. Don’t Compare Yourself with Others

As I have already mentioned above, it is important to take an example from other successful and talented people. But today, in such a fast-developing industry, it is crucial to understand that you must have your individuality. So, don’t try to compare yourself to anyone, and more importantly, don’t try to be like someone else. This may lead to jealousy, and eventually, you will easily lose your uniqueness. Many actors may face such a problem, especially when it seems that nothing goes right. In every profession, each person has his or her path, which is built over time. Sometimes it may seem that for others, the road is more effortless. But believe me, it’s not. And it is always interesting how everyone is creating their road to success. Work hard, and don’t let jealousy take over you. 

10. Become Confident

If you are an actor, then being confident is one of the most important things for a successful actors’ career in Los Angeles. You should be confident enough to present yourself, to talk with other people, to create roles, etc. If you are not confident, then people will notice it, and it will affect your acting. Of course, at first, it may not seem simple, but in time you will already feel comfortable in most of the situations, and hence you will feel confident. As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, while taking affordable headshots of actors, I always understand when the actor is confident and when not. And I always try to create an atmosphere where it would be comfortable for them to pose for the camera. So, in every situation, you must be calm and try to feel and behave confidently. 

To become successful, at first, you must have a clear and focused mindset. You should develop habits, which will guide you through your acting career. As I have already said in the beginning, there is no specific rule for this, and each of us can develop our own set of habits. I am sure these habits will only help you to become a better version of yourself and be more powerful day by day. We have read many success stories of how people reached significant heights, and if we explore their journey, we will notice that most of it are because of the habits that they have. So in order to have a successful actors’ career in Los Angeles, develop your own sets of habits with the help of this list, which I have shared with you.

What to read next: How To Get Professional Realtor Headshots in 2022

Learn more about headshot pricing in Los Angeles.

Click here to book a headshot session in Downtown Los Angeles.

You can view more Professional Headshots | Los Angeles Headshot Photographer on our home page. 

Read More
Seda Stepanyan
December 26, 2019
8 Common Mistakes on Actors' Websites

The resume, the headshot, and the demo reel are an essential part of the marketing of emerging actors. However, as online casting has become a popular concept today, actors have to take specific measures to adapt to this situation. In the fast-moving era of technologies, neither a terrific resume nor a headshot made by the best Los Angeles headshot photographer can guarantee you success. Having a website is no longer a luxury but a necessity for an acting career in Los Angeles. You may say, “OK, what’s the deal? Let’s create one.” Do not rush; it is not as easy as it seems. There are numerous nuances you should take into consideration when you create a website for yourself. The following are the 10 common mistakes of the actor’s website that you should try to avoid making. 

1. Too many Headshots

The fact that you have a website does not mean that you can post every single photo or headshot you have taken so far. Let’s set a basic rule. The site has to reflect your professionalism primarily. The opportunity of having multiple galleries on your website makes it possible for you to post headshots, set photos, and red carpet photos. However, your job is to choose only the best pictures. 

As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I understand that you have difficulties with choice. That is natural. However, remember that you are an actor and not a model. Casting directors are looking for one or two headshots at most. They don’t want to see every single look you have done but rather the best headshots that demonstrate you as a professional actor. 

Do not make casting directors waste their time when they get to your website. Make it easy for them by providing your best headshot that just shows who you are. This way, you will seem professional and concerned about your career rather than your appearance. Be modest, and that will be appreciated. 

2. Outdated Content

One of the common mistakes of an actor’s website is keeping old information. If you have relocated to Los Angeles, your website should not state that you live in New York. We live in a modern world right now, remember? This means that with every new day, yesterday’s information gets old and becomes unnecessary. Therefore, you should follow this principle on your website to help your acting career in Los Angeles proper. 

Your website should contain your latest credits, including the most recent resume and a fresh headshot by a skilled headshot photographer in Los Angeles. It would be a failure if the last update on your website if from 2015 today. Casting directors will immediately consider you unprofessional. 

Instead, you should take the time to keep your website up to date. Don’t forget that your website is an excellent tool for your development as an actor. Show the casting directors that you are active in your job and that you are always looking for new opportunities. No agency will cast you if they see that you are not engaged in your professional domain. 

Even if you have gone through a period with no new roles, never leave your website without updates. You can post content about your personal life, or you can write blogs to keep your website updated. If one sees a gradual stop in your updates, they will think you quit acting.

According to Backstage magazine, 

“If you can’t update your website with new photos, videos, bios, and/or news on your own, you’re going to have a heart attack .”

So, take care of your own future. 

3. Auto-Playing Video

It is indescribably annoying when you visit a website, and a video starts to play without your command. This is an essential point for you to consider in order not to make one of the most common mistakes of an actor’s website.

This point mostly refers to the videos or the demo reel page. Make sure to embed any videos you upload on your page so that they do not start playing automatically. Just check the default option. 

For you to understand why this is extremely important, let’s get into a casting director’s shoes. Imagine a casting director reading your resume when suddenly a video starts playing. The director will be annoyed by the function and may decide to leave your website as he/she has many other candidates for the role. 

About the quantity of the videos: keep in mind the same as we discussed the headshots. Even if made by a professional headshot photographer in Los Angeles, many headshots are excessive and even give low quality to your website. For the videos, however, the quality is something more actual. If you have many videos on your page, it may start loading slowly. This is one more source for the casting directors’ annoyment and the potential to leave your webpage. So, try to keep it simple and don’t do risky things. 

4. Inconsistent Navigation & Design

Any website loves easy navigation. People love it when everything is clear on a website, and it does not require much effort to find the necessary page. 

Make all the pages of your website similar. If each new page is entirely different from the previous one, it will be very confusing for your visitors. They may need to take time to find specific sections, and they may essentially get lost on your website. But what if one does not have that time and what if your visitor is a very busy casting director? The answer is obvious: he/she will leave your page immediately.

Therefore, give an easy organization and a logical sequence to the sections of your website so that your visitors are not frustrated.

Make the front page with a brief description of you. Afterwards, give a logical follow to the section about the first steps of your acting career in Los Angeles. Then, get them to your resume, headshots, and demo reel section. Leave the video sections to the final part of your website.

Not following these standards is one of the most common mistakes of an actor’s website that you may wish to avoid. It is not enough to have a website; it should be attractive for the vie as well!

5. Where is your contact information?

Many actors get fantastic websites for developing their acting career in Los Angeles using great tools and systems such as WordPress. Their websites have beautiful designs and look very professional. However, surprisingly, having all of this, they forget about the most important thing. That is the contact information. Believe it or not, people do not pay attention to how their contact information page looks like. 

You should provide all the conditions so that it takes a little time and effort to contact you. Therefore, link to all your social media profiles so that people can access them immediately. Also, try to make your telephone number clickable as well. This way, the ones who visit your website with a smartphone are able to call you just by one click. 

The contact information of your agent and manager should be easily accessible to the visitors of your website. Make their social media page link clickable so that people can find them fast. As a reminder, agents are the most critical people for actors. Agents and managers are the ones who look for opportunities for you to build your acting career in Los Angeles. They are the ones who organize photo sessions with Los Angeles headshot photographers and book auditions for you. When casting agencies to consider you for a particular role, they first find out whether you have a manager, and if you do, they look for his/her contact information. Therefore, don’t make one of the most common mistakes of an actor’s website: don’t forget about contact information.

6. Paying too much or too little 

Today, there exists a common opinion that a good website is something very expensive. You may think that you should hire a specialist and pay him a lot of money to get a terrific website. However, that is absolutely not necessary. Furthermore, excessive investment in a website may seem an unnecessary luxury. An essential function of a website is just serving as a tool for building an acting career in Los Angeles. Therefore, your website should first and foremost care about providing quality information about yourself.

On the other hand, paying too little is also a common mistake on the actor’s website. Spending just a few dollars will give you low quality and poorly composed website. It will be noticeable that you decided to save money. Your mission is to seem as professional as it is possible, so it is not a solution to pay very little. Your marketing shows casting directors how serious you are in relation to your future acting career in Los Angeles. 

Taking all of this into consideration, your primary goal should be having a simple, quality website and nothing more. The finances you allocate for this purpose should be neither too big nor too little. A perfect solution would be paying monthly services such as Squarespace for creating your own quality website.

7. Mixed-up Purpose

This is probably the worst among the common mistakes of actor’s websites. Since the second person enters your website, it should be clear to him or her what is your website for. Is it a website with information about a professional actor, or is it just a personal site that has some information about acting as well? There should be no mixed-up purpose if you plan to have a successful acting career in Los Angeles. 

If the purpose of your website is to promote you as an actor, you should include only the information corresponding to that purpose. 

As a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, I always ask my clients what the purpose of their headshot is. Where is it going to be used? Depending on the answer, the headshot will have specific characteristics. Moving on, the videos you post should have merely acting content. This way, the casting directors who visit your website will know for sure who you are and what your purpose it and most importantly, they will consider you a serious candidate for their project.

8. Boring design 

The final common mistake of actor’s websites is their boring design. As mentioned before, it is not obligatory to pay tons of money for a website. You can use the available templates on the internet. However, make sure to edit the premade templates. Your website should not look like any other. It is your professional territory where you are free to express yourself. 

You are an actor! Therefore, the words cliche, default, and template should have no connection to you. When visiting your website, casting directors can evaluate your creativity and individuality by the external look of your website. 

You can change the fonts and the colors to make it characterize yourself. You can insert any backgrounds and shapes that will make your website unique, among others. However, do not forget to stay in the scopes of professionalism. The design of your website should communicate to the visitors and make them remember you as a persona with no similarities. 

Pay close attention to the design of your website. Try to make it memorable so that after reviewing the website of other actors, the casting directors memorize yours and return to it. 

And Finally…

A website is an essential tool for the development of your acting career in Los Angeles. Having a quality website, however, has many nuances, and there are many mistakes many actors make. Focus on the purpose and the content of your website. Include only necessary information and take good care of its appearance. Don’t forget to post the details that casting directors look for: a resume, a headshot made by a professional Los Angeles headshot photographer, videos, and a demo reel. Take the information of this article into consideration and don’t make the common mistakes of the actor’s website.

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Seda Stepanyan
October 10, 2019
Wanna Quit Los Angeles Acting Career? Read this!

Your bills are stacked up on the kitchen table, your family is asking what TV show your next role is in, and all you receive are rejection emails. You thing that it is hard to start acting career in Los Angeles? I have been present at many venting sessions about these difficulties when actors in Los Angeles come to me for headshot sessions. Trust me; everyone has been there. Many successful actors thought of quitting acting in Los Angeles. It isn’t a comfortable life. Before you take drastic action, you might later regret, here are some things to consider.

Ask yourself 

Have I given it all I got?

Have you really taken all the steps to make acting a full-time career, or are you only regarding it as a hobby? It is a tiresome process and takes time, but until you’ve done it all, you shouldn’t think about quitting. Maybe you aren’t getting bookings because you don’t have a digital brand. Or, perhaps it’s time to update the headshots. Fill your day with a rigid schedule of activities that will benefit your career. Go to so many open castings so many times that you lose count. The day you have genuinely given it, everything is the day your career truly starts. 

Does my team do me justice?

Ask yourself if your team really has your best interest at heart and what they’re willing to go to you for the sake of your career. Your team will be your primary source of motivation and hope; they should be people who are rooting for you. If you are always frustrated with your agent, maybe it’s time to get a new one. Does your resume represent you and your experience correctly? Try to understand what type of role you are looking for and refresh your demo clips to match. A tip is to invite your headshot photographer to your demo reel shooting, and you can do both tasks at once. Your headshot photographer in Los Angeles is sure to capture some dynamic shots in the process. This can be an easy and affordable process if you pick the right photographer. 

Do I really want to quit?

For some people quitting may be the right step. Take the time to understand what the thought of quitting acting and pursuing a different career makes you feel. If you feel light, happy, and relieved, then maybe you have lost interest, and it’s time to pick a different path. But, if the thought makes you feel defeated, lost, and sad, then maybe you just need a recharge.

…if the thought makes you feel defeated, lost, and sad, then maybe you just need a recharge…

Take a day off and go out of town with friends or anything to distract yourself from your struggles. Give yourself some time to miss the hustle and bustle of acting life. I promise it’s still there, but everyone needs a burst of fresh, positive energy to put them back on their feet.

los angeles acting quotes

Remember Why you Chose this Path!

Inspire yourself 

To be inspired, you must expose yourself to more than just the entertainment business. Immerse yourself in arts: painting, music, dance, theatre, etc. Try to visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art or the Met regularly, and visualize everything. Turn off your electronics and people-watch in the street, or the park. Visit beautiful and hidden places in your city, take photographs, and explore your creativity. You almost never realize how easy it is to get caught up in the details of life and lose perspective of your goals. A Los Angeles agent talked about how impressed he was when the young James Franco always showed up to waiting rooms with a book in his hand. James Franco even went on to write his own book titled “Palo Alto.”

Motivate yourself!

If you’ve chosen the acting path, it’s because you feel that you’re good at it, or you’ve been told you’re good at it. Deep down in your heart, you understand that you genuinely do love acting, but sometimes you need a refresher. Make some popcorn and rewatch the movies you used to love. Watch behind the scenes clips on sets and old Oscar footage.

Look up and watch interviews of actors who you look up to. You will soon realize that they have all been through the same struggles.

Go out with your friends and share your troubles, and they may be able to help you with encouraging words. Those close to you know how much you’ve been through. They won’t be able to get you the part or find you an agent, but they will be there to listen to you and help you take your mind off things. 

Make a Pact with Yourself!

No one knows your goals, your struggles, and your ambitions except yourself. And no one other than yourself can entirely give you the advice and motivation you need. You must make a pact with yourself to devote a few days every week to do something for your career. Choose the days of the week that best fit your schedule and book auditions, interviews, workshops, and classes. But, it is also important to have days off to rest. A well-made schedule and hard work always pays off in the end.

Don’t slack off on the days you must work, and your rest days will surely be more rewarding.

It took me many tries and lots of time to become a successful headshot photographer in Los Angeles. But now I do what I love every day, and nothing can beat that.

los angeles acting career quotes

Enjoy the process

Obviously, being on set, seeing yourself in a movie, and going to the biggest parties in Los Angeles are all fantastic experiences. But so are acting classes, headshot sessions, auditions and meetings with your agent. Most actors will tell you that in the end, it’s the stops on the journey that they cherish the most. The roommates in your tiny Los Angeles apartment know what you’re going through and will live your hardest days with you. They may even become your best friends for a long time to come. Next time you get an audition, try to enjoy the whole process and not just on the part. Don’t focus on the job that comes after and be excited about the opportunity you’ve been given.

Instead of complaining that you need new headshots taken, book your session, make friends with your photographer and have fun along the way.

Headshot photographers in Los Angeles have seen so many actors come and go and make it big, that they can surely give you some tips and tricks that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Maybe you’re not in a designer gown on the red carpet, but you’re surrounded by like-minded people who share that same dream, motivation, and drive. So take the time to make friends, learn from their experiences and understand their mistakes in order not to make the same ones. Try always to be present, and at the moment, experience the highs and lows of being a newbie. Who knows, maybe all these small adventures will be a hit with the audience in your next talk show interview or Oscar acceptance speech 🙂 

Understand How Familiar this Feeling is!

When you talk to any actor who has made it big in the industry, they are sure to tell you how long it took them to get that one role, which made their career. For some of the rare lucky ones, it might’ve been very early in the time they’ve spent as an actor. But for most people, it has taken them years of blood sweat and tears. Ten years ago, Johnny Depp might have been the man who was selling you pens over the phone, and Rachel McAdams might have been serving you burgers at McDonald’s. Look where they’re at now! 

los angeles acting career quotes

Jenna Fischer 

Jenna Fischer often recalls how she arrived in Los Angeles on the first day of choosing to pursue an acting career and that everything was perfect for one day. But then nothing happened for six years.

It took her six long years of crying, debt, and letters of rejection to make a living in Hollywood.

Then two additional years later, she landed her break out role as the beloved Pam Beesly on “The Office.” And now, she says that the struggle was a natural part of the process and that it was a way of testing her desire and creativity for acting.

Bradley Cooper

Considering how well-known he is in the industry today, you wouldn’t be able to tell how much Bradley Cooper has been through. But like the rest, he too has considered quitting many times. Before his breakout roles, he was acting in commercials that never left the drafts of the editors. After many rejections and small parts, he experienced his so-called “Do or Die” moment at the audition of the 2006 theater production of “Three Days of Rain”. He says he vividly remembers thinking that if this part didn’t work, then he wasn’t cut out to be an actor. It was time to consider a new path. But as you know, it did work out for him in the end. Shortly after, he got one of his first significant breaks with “Wedding Crashers” and the rest is history.

Uzo Aduba

Before her significant breakout role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the hit-Netflix show. Orange Is the New Black; it really was a whole bunch of lows with no ups. She tells of a rough time in her life when she basically quit and was crying everyday.  Her mind was telling her that this was the end and that she’s finally done with acting. But then, 45 minutes later she got the call of her life. Uzo Aduba said in an interview that she’ll never forget that moment for her entire life.

“I could be 98 years old, and my grandchildren can ask, ‘Grandma, when did you get the role?’ and I’ll say, ‘5.43 pm. September 14.'”

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart has recently become a household name and has reached the top of the Hollywood after her role in “Panic Room” and teen-hit series “Twilight.” But before all the fame, she was seriously considering leaving the acting industry. She wasn’t getting any commercials, and she was going to quit and leave acting career in Los Angeles for good. Kristen was only receiving rejections and was crying after every audition. Her mom instructed her to go to her last casting appointment, and that got her breakout role in “The Safety of Objects.” If she hadn’t gotten that, she would have been done.

“There was one guy who once said to me; there are no failures in Hollywood, only people who gave up too soon.”

-David Carradine

Acting isn’t easy. And making it big is even harder, especially when you’re in the heart of the industry in Hollywood. But it’s important to understand that these struggles are temporary. Temporary can mean 2,5 or 10 years, but if you are consistently putting in the work, your results are eventually going to show.

This is an industry that is growing with every passing day, and it is always in need of talented actors, you just have to know where to look. Don’t mistake exhaustion or frustration with the need to quit, and don’t make rash decisions. Take the time to sit down, think about my tips, and choose your steps wisely. Your future largely depends on your present and what you decide to do with it. 

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