Getting Ahead

In my local library, I noticed there was a book by Jenna Fischer entitled The Actor's Life.  I thought to myself I like Jenna Fischer--she played Pam on The Office--but has she had enough of a career yet to write an autobiography?

Turns out I misunderstood.  Paging through the book, I realized it was a guide for those who want to make it as an actor.  Nuts and bolts sort of stuff.  She gives practical advice, based on her years struggling to make it: how to create a resume, how to get an agent, how to audition, what sort of day job to have, how you've got to move out to Los Angeles or New York, and so on.

The section I stopped to read (mostly because it had a lot of pictures) was her passage on headshots.  A headshot is your calling card.  A lot of casting is based on type, and the headshot tells the casting director in a second if you fit the role.  A headshot should not be a glamor shot--you're selling yourself, so if you come in and look like someone different, the people in charge will not be pleased.

Fischer's advice is to think of five adjectives that describe you, or at least what you're going for.  And then hire a professional headshot photographer to make sure it comes across.

She reprints her early headshots, which are pretty awful.  Then she gets a really beautiful and professionally done photo where she looks sultry.  As great as the photo is, it's wrong--that's not the type she should be going out for.  She's probably not going to be cast too often as a sexpot.

She thought about it, and figured her five adjective were sweet, trustworthy, open, cute and vulnerable.  So she had another photo taken and this one was perfect.  It showed her natural beauty, but was more sweet, trustworthy, etc.

In fact, it's the photo that got her Pam.  Fischer includes the description of the character when they were casting The Office, and the headshot is just what they're calling for.  Years later, she spoke to the show's casting director who still remembered Jenna's headshot.

Once you're in the door, you've got to prove yourself.  But getting in the door, and being remembered after you leave, counts just as much when you're starting out.