A word about the tools you will need to get into acting.

1/ First thing you will need is a good headshot.
The Photographer will usually give you between 50-100 images to choose from.
Edit these by first eliminating the images you do not like,then go through the images and eliminate some more.
Do this 2 or three times until you have a
managable number of images left to make a final choice.
If you do not have an agent yet I suggest you first have
postcard size headshots made up.Use these to send to agents along with a resume.

The reason for this is that is that almost inevitably,the agent who takes you on
will want to choose a shot that he feels will get you into casting sessions
and this will most probably be different to your choice.At this stage you will have the 8x10s made up.

2/ Join an Acting Class.
This will not only teach you about acting.It will also teach you
what to do in front of the camera and understand the director's instructions.
Directors get aggrevated if they have to explain what they want from you.
Do not waste their time by not knowing what to do on the set.To a production, time is money.
Agents also like to see you honing your acting skills all the time.

3/ You must strive to become a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild).
To do this you must accumulate hours as an actor or extra on productions.
Generally you will do this by working on non union productions.
At the end of each day ask the Assistant Director for what is called a voucher.
Once you have enough vouchers go to SAG and apply for membership.
Also join AFTRA and Central Casting.
Read trade publications such as Backstage & Variety every week to find castings.
Call the casting office and attend those castings.

How do I Qualify?

A performer becomes eligible for Screen Actors Guild membership under one of the following two conditions: (1) proof of SAG employment or (2) employment under an affiliated performers’ union.
Proof of Employment
Principal Performer Employment
Performers may join SAG upon proof of employment. Employment must be in a principal or speaking role in a SAG film, videotape, television program or commercial. Proof of such employment may be in the form of a signed contract, or original pay stubs. The document proving employment must provide the following information:
applicant’s name
applicant’s Social Security number
name of the production or name of the commercial (product name)
the salary paid (in dollar amount)
the specific date(s) worked.
Background Actors may join SAG upon proof of employment as a SAG–covered background player at full SAG rates and conditions for a MINIMUM of three work days subsequent to March 25, 1990. Employment must be by a company signed to a SAG Agreement under which the Producer is required to cover background actors. Proof of employment must be in the form of original paystubs or a payroll printout faxed from the payroll house. Such documents must provide the same information (name, Social Security number, etc.) as listed above.
Employment Under an Affiliated Performers' Union
Performers may join SAG if the applicant is a paid-up member of an affiliated performers' union (ACTRA, AEA, AFTRA, AGMA or AGVA) for a period of one year and has worked and been paid for at least once as a principal performer in that union’s jurisdiction.
How do I join?
Legitimacy of Application

Your application and proof of employment will be fully investigated by the Guild for validity. Your application for SAG membership will be denied if you have falsified your credentials, or if your qualifying employment is not bona fide.
While it is your responsibility to ascertain the validity of your qualifying employment, the Guild will be the sole arbiter in determining whether the employer was legitimate or bogus, and whether the qualifying employment which you performed was actual production work or work created solely to enable you to gain Guild membership. Please be aware that false representation or deception on your part will jeopardize your chances to join the Guild.
Further, if after your application has been granted the Guild discovers such misconduct on your part, you may find yourself subject to disciplinary proceedings, which could result in your being fined, suspended and/or expelled from the Guild.
Appointments for Admission
If you are eligible under the conditions stated above, please contact your nearest SAG office BEFORE COMING IN so we can advise you of the amount of your joining fee and arrange an appointment.
Submitting Proof of SAG Eligibility
You may contact the Guild about your eligibility status. If your file is not on record or incomplete, you may submit one of the following documents as proof of eligibility:
Original paycheck stubs.
Original activity print-out or report from the payroll company that states your name, social security number, the name of the production company, the title of the production, the salary paid in dollar amount, and the specific date(s) worked. The payroll company must submit this document directly to the SAG Membership Services Department.
Background vouchers and copies of paycheck stubs are not acceptable as proof of work. Submitting these types of documents will only delay verifying your Screen Actors guild eligibility.
If you provide the Guild with your original paycheck stubs, please make copies for your records before submitting them to our office.
In addition to enclosing proper eligibility documentation, you will need to include a separate piece of paper with your name, current address, current telephone number, and date of birth. A self-addressed stamped envelope must also be included so that we may return your documents to you. We ask that you print clearly to avoid input errors. Once verification is completed, you will receive a letter of eligibility from the Guild.
Please mail your document to:
Screen Actors Guild
Membership Services Department – Proof of Eligibility
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036

When you get a call to see an Agent, Manager, Casting Agent, Producer or Director,
they want to see the same person whose headshot they looked at.

You should look pretty much as you do in your Headshot.

There is nothing that drives people who might hire you more crazy, than seeing someone they never asked to see.
So, when you get your headshots taken, be yourself at your best.

FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT

ACTRESSES

Wash your hair before you come to the photo shoot.

Don’t put on makeup before you get to the studio.

When choosing what to wear for the session, first take a look at TV shows to get an idea of how productions dress their actors.
From your closet, pick  the type of outfits that reflect what is popular in the biz now.

For theatrical shots do not wear bold prints. (Whoever looks at your  headshot will only see the print , not you.)

Try the outfits on and LOOK IN THE MIRROR.

Bring as many outfits as you can carry. What may look great in the mirror, doesn't always look great in the camera ,
so give yourself and the photographer a chance to change into something that works in the camera.

You must have your hair and makeup done by a professional.

Why?
Because they know best how Makeup responds in studio lighting conditions.

ACTORS

No makeup.

When choosing what to wear for the session, first take a look at TV shows to get an idea of how productions dress their actors.
From your closet, pick  the type of outfits that reflect what is popular in the biz now.

For theatrical shots do not wear bold prints. (Whoever looks at your  headshot will only see the print , not you.)

Try the outfits on and LOOK IN THE MIRROR.

Bring as many outfits as you can carry. What may look great in the mirror will not always look great in the camera,
so give yourself and the photographer a chance to change into something that works.

ABOVE ALL BE RELAXED AT THE PHOTOSHOOT, IT’S JUST FILM OR DIGITAL IMAGES,
NOT WORLD WAR THREE. YOU CAN ALWAYS BURN THE FILM OR DELETE THE IMAGES..

HAVE A GREAT TIME & HAVE FUN!