(Photo by NordWood Themes, unsplash.com)
“What is a setcard?” is a question I see frequently on the comment
sections of casting groups and so I thought it is best to talk about the materials we need to start a career in acting. Besides, before you can meet agents or casting directors
face-to-face, these materials are what they will ask you to send them so they
can decide if they will call you in for an audition.
A Headshot is a close-up photo printed on 8R-size (8 x 10 inches) photo paper with your name placed on the bottom center or bottom corner and your 1-page resume pasted at the back.
Things to consider when creating your own headshot:
1. Do not overdo your make-up. The very first thing to remember is that your headshot should look like you so use minimal make-up. You will also be advised to update your headshot if there’s an obvious change in your hairstyle like cutting it short or changing its color.
2. Make sure that your face is well-lighted and there are no harsh shadows. Try taking your headshot photo facing a window (preferably in the morning) as this produces a soft lighting which is good for portraits.
3. Do not wear clothes with polka-dots, stripes or any distracting patterns. Avoid wearing white particularly if you are shooting against a white or a light-colored background. A plain colored round-neck shirt is recommended unless you are going for a particular character look.
4. Do not take a selfie. Selfies look unprofessional and very obvious to notice because your arms are extended towards the camera. Mobile phone front cameras also have a lower resolution which can make your photo blurry and jagged on the edges.
5. If you are going to print the photo at home, you can use editing apps to put your name below the picture. You can also choose whether to keep it borderless or add a white border to put your name in. Make sure that your printing is the best quality possible and that your printer doesn’t leave noticeable lines on the paper. If you are going to have your headshot printed at a photo studio, you can simply tell the photo technician this specific instruction.
6. Use or tell the photo technician to use 8 x 10 inches Matte or Satin Paper. Glossy photo papers produce glare. Fingerprints and smudges also appear on the surface of glossy papers which is not a good thing for a headshot that is going to be handed from one person to another.
7. Print your 1-page resume on a letter size paper (8.5 x 11 inches) and trim its edge to perfectly fit on the back of your headshot (8 x 10 inches). Secure it using a thin double adhesive tape so the edges will look nice and smooth.
B. Setcard
A setcard is a business card for visual presentation. Some also call it comp cards. It is a layout on a letter-size (8.5 x 11 inches) paper folded in half to look like a book. On the first page is your cover photo (usually a headshot), 4-6 photos on the page beside it with your basic information (Name, Contact Information, Height, Weight, Shirt Size, Waist Size, Eyes, and Hair Color); and your resume on the backside of the paper.
Tips on choosing photos and making a setcard:
1. This is your
first means of making an impression on agents, casters, or casting directors so
make sure you have clear images. Take time to plan what look you are going to
be photographed in as these photos will communicate what roles you can be approved for. For example, if you are aiming to portray professional characters, choose
to wear business and smart casual clothes. If you hire a photographer, you can
also pass on these details so he/she can set-up the lighting to complement the
look you are going for.2. Choose plain-colored clothes to avoid distractions and to keep your face the main focus.
3. Apply make-up and do your hair according to the character you are going for but remember not to overdo nor underdo it. Make sure it is just right that you look the part and stay recognizable at the same time.
4. If you choose to do your own layout, remember to avoid using filters or tweaking the colors to the point that it changes your feature or skin tone.
5. Print on a thick paper, like a white specialty board of 180-200gsm.
C. Acting Reel
An Acting Reel is a compilation of an actor’s best on-screen performance to demonstrate his/her acting skill and capabilities. The maximum running time for an acting reel is 2-3 minutes. Three to four clips are enough so make sure that you choose your best ones.
For beginners, since you are still working on getting your first acting gig, you may record a 1-minute monologue.
In the Philippines, commercial agents will ask for a VTR. This is a recorded video
including the following:
1. A shot of you stating your Name, Age, Height, and if you have done any commercials
2. A shot of your left and right side profile and then looking at the camera.
3. A whole-body shot of you.
4. Saying “Yes” or “Wow” in different emotions (Happy, Sad, Angry, Confused, Scared, and Excited).
Go to Beginner's Guide to Acting - Part 4: Acting in front of a Camera
1. A shot of you stating your Name, Age, Height, and if you have done any commercials
2. A shot of your left and right side profile and then looking at the camera.
3. A whole-body shot of you.
4. Saying “Yes” or “Wow” in different emotions (Happy, Sad, Angry, Confused, Scared, and Excited).
Go to Beginner's Guide to Acting - Part 4: Acting in front of a Camera
#actinglessons #acting #actingtips #Beginner'sGuideToActing
#ActorsInThePhilippines
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