Acting is a job and the actors are expected to do their part, especially when potentially thousands of dollars and precious time are resting on their ability to deliver.
Actors should remember that we are all the sum of our experiences and just as we have a history, so does the character. A movie is nothing more than sharing with the audience a small slice of this person’s life. Understand where the character is coming from and what life experiences have shaped this person. Do research on the character’s education, characteristics, hobbies, quirks, friendships, and problems and speak with people who have had experiences similar to those of the character to build a complete, multilayered person in front of the camera. Although the director will give you direction, it is your responsibility to develop the character in line with the director’s vision and be prepared to perform, in character, every time, and without hesitation.
Headshots. Headshots are eight-by-ten color photos of you, usually from the shoulders up. Find an excellent photographer who can capture the essence of you—your look, personality, and character. Your headshot is the fi rst and usually only thing a casting director will see and it’s important to make the best impression!
