Following on from yesterdays post I’ve had quite a few of you ask me what actually are ‘Uta Hagen’s 9 Questions’
As photographer who specialises in shooting headshots for actors I often take headshots of young and aspiring thespians, many of whom are still studying and constantly looking for way to increase their knowledge and acting technique. I don’t profess to have all the answers but I do have a healthy interest in ensuring I can help my clients and add value to every session that I shoot.
After all my clients are my lifeblood and as I spend most of my working week in the company of actors I always want to be able to pass on an extra little piece of advice, tips or tricks to help my clients get the very best out of themselves and out of our headshot session. I get a huge thrill out of coaching and coaxing fantastic 10×8′s for Spotlight and other casting services, of seeing my clients move on with success their career and hopefully reaching heady heights.
When I came across ‘Uta Hagen’s 9 Questions’ I instantly thought that this would be great information to pass on and share with others. I hope you enjoy this post and share it with others who may benefit from it.
1. WHO AM I?
(All the details about your character including name, age, address, relatives, likes, dislikes, hobbies, career, description of physical traits, opinions, beliefs, religion, education, origins, enemies, loved ones, sociological influences, etc.)
2. WHAT TIME IS IT?
(Century, season, year, day, minute, significance of time)
3. WHERE AM I?
(Country, city, neighborhood, home, room, area of room)
4. WHAT SURROUNDS ME?
(Animate and inanimate objects-complete details of environment)
5. WHAT ARE THE GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES?
(Past, present, future and all of the events)
6. WHAT IS MY RELATIONSHIP?
(Relation to total events, other characters, and to things)
7. WHAT DO I WANT?
(Character’s need. The immediate and main objective)
8. WHAT IS IN MY WAY?
(The obstacles which prevent character from getting his/her need)
9. WHAT DO I DO TO GET WHAT I WANT?
(The action: physical and verbal, also-action verbs)
Uta Hagen
– Uta Hagen’s 9 Questions For Actors
The legendary acting teacher Uta Hagen gives some great advice and tips on being an actor.
Also well known for her ’9 questions for finding your character’ this short video gives some
excellent insights to improve your performance.
– Uta Hagen’s Acting Class
Nick is very professional, very helpful and made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the session. His prices are reasonable and he gives you some helpful tips along the way. He’s definitely the man to see.
– Siobhan Luff
Nick Gregan is a fantastic photographer! His skill and experience are very apparent from the word go, and he really puts you at ease. He is passionate about what he does, and really helps you to get the right headshot for you; offering advice before, during and after your appointment! A true professional.
Katherine Astbury Headshot © Nick Gregan
– Katherine Astbury
This is an easy one to answer, back in the ‘good old days’ actors headshots were always b&w. The main reasons for this were the ease of production and the ability to keep the cost down to a reasonable level. Most photographers shot on b&w film then processed and printed the 10×8′s in their own darkroom. Buying colour film was more expensive, added to that the cost of having to have the film processed and printed by a lab drove the cost up to make it much more expensive than b&w.
Whizz forward to the modern day of digital cameras and cheaper printing methods and hey presto – actors headshot are now in colour.
Casting directors, agents and even Spotlight expect to receive submissions in colour and the b&w headshot is less and less important in todays casting market. Lets face it it nearly all casting is done via the internet and digital submissions these days and a great colour headshot will help you stand out from the crowd.
Coming soon daylight or studio light for your headshot.
– Actors Headshots – Colour or Black & White?
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