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
Here’s a thing you may not be aware of….. online casting has changed the way actors headshots have to work for you! Oh no I hear you groan, but fear not I have the answers.
There are many online casting site such as Spotlight and Casting Call Pro to name just two, and we all know how they work, a role is posted, you see it’s just the kind of role you’re suited to. You submit your headshot and wait and wait…….. You love to play ‘bitchy’ women with a lot of attitude but the headshot you submitted was a nice smiling shot of you looking like the girl next door – drrrgghhhh. How’s a casting director supposed to cast you in a ‘bitchy’ role from a smiling headshot – it’s not going to happen.
What about if you sumnitted one of your headshots where you looked like you have a load of attitude, you project the image of being a ‘bitch’ – do you think the casting director might at the very least envision you in the role?
Have a look at these two headshot and tell me which one you think will play the bitchy girl?
Tiffany actors headshot © Nick Gregan 2012
More on this subject tomorrow.
– Best Headshots For Online Casting
Headshots with personality are the key to success in today’s competetive casting world.
All to often, actors make the blunder of picking great photos that make the wrong type of headshots, this applies to novice actors as well as more seasoned campaigners. A headshot should reveal the personality of the actor, not the technical abilities of the photographer. You have to remember that in an actor’s headshot is selling a product, and you have to keep in mind that the product is the actor. Every decision that is made about the photo should be about selling yourself to Casting Directors. You must use this as your advantage!
Actors are creative artists. No doubt about it. But they are unique in the creative arts–their physical personage is the tool with which they create. In the world of professional acting, this means the actor must understand the way he is perceived by his or her audience, and therefore the people who are hiring actors to entertain that audience. If you are perceived as a character type, you shouldn’t be looking for sexy leading role headshots. If you are a leading man or woman, you need to make sure your headshots support that vision.
Agents and casting directors love actors who know their strengths, and who tailor their marketing materials to them (it makes their jobs easier). When you plan your headshots to take advantage of your strengths, you set yourself up for success.
– Headshots – Making the Right Choice For You
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
Nick Gregan is the only photographer I have been to that makes you feel very comfortable in the studio an most important infront of the camara. He has many years experience and knows how to get the most from the client hence having more than enough great headshot choices. I can recommend him highly enough and would never go anywhere else.
– Kelly Downes
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10A Ellingfort Road, London Fields, London E8 3PA Tel: 020 85333003