Headshot... or not?

Laura Darkstar · Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006, 22:37 (GMT) Post subject: Headshot... or not?

How important is it to post a headshot?

I have a very nice professional picture... but have been told many times over the years that people have a hard time reconciling the way I LOOK with the way I SOUND...

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006, 22:48 (GMT) Post subject:

Man, what I'd give for a name like Laura Darkstar!!! Very Happy

Obviously I use a different name when I'm on air because, well, uh, Pollak kind of sucks, honestly!

But I digress... as I so often do. Here's my take on it, which, along with $2.75 will get you a tall latte at Starbucks: If you have a decent headshot, use it. It puts a real person to the voice. If you think your headshot might give small children and furry animals nightmares, don't use it. But the more personal you can be to the client, the better.

I actually had a client tell me once that I won the audition because I was so conversational at the beginning of my demo, briefly chatting it up. They want to know the person they hire will be someone they can build a relationship with. It's harder to do if you don't even know what the person LOOKS like.

Now for Robert Jadah's opinion...... LOL! Wink

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006, 22:49 (GMT) Post subject:

Oh, and I forgot to mention that's not even my headshot that I use. It's some guy's I found in the back of a magazine somewhere that I wish I looked like. I'm old and fat and bald, and missing a couple of teeth.

Laura Darkstar · Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006, 23:26 (GMT) Post subject: Headshot uploaded

Hope it doesn't kill my chances....

Andrea Rooz · Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006, 03:03 (GMT) Post subject:

Personally I don't like the idea of a headshot because it gives someone a preconceived notion of what you sound like. If you're auditioning for the part of a 20 year old and you're 40 but can sound 20...why blow it for yourself? The great thing about what we do is that we're just a voice and we can 'be' almost anyone without the agonizing hours spent in the makeup chair.

Laura Darkstar · Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006, 03:19 (GMT) Post subject:

Andrea...
That's a REALLY excellent point.
I'd be rather interested to have people let me know how old I look in the headshot...

Freddie Molina · Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006, 04:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Robert Jadah · Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006, 04:29 (GMT) Post subject: Heads or Tales?

Laura:
Far be it from me to disagree with Scott, who has somehow broken into the Top 100 on my list of personal heroes (just 2 spots behind Louis Tristan, and closing in on Jessica Rabbit...), and I too say POST IT.
Firstly, it does not accompany your audition, and I cannot conceive of a client so intrigued by your demo that they take the time to check out your site but then move on to Scott instead because he wears a nicer tie.
Secondly, we're voices. Most regular humans already believe that none of us resemble our sound at all. Therefore, a photo proving this notion has no effect, while a photo disproving it can only make you more intriguing.
Thirdly, we here at VoiceSavvy like to put a face to the people we chat with.
Fourthly, since you do use your real and lovely name, knowing that even people named Mabel Shmugurski would get private Leads, why not use your real depiction?
Fifthly - and possibly the strongest argument - is that Scott gets work.
Do it.
Voice On!
Robert Jadah

Todd Ellis · Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006, 05:44 (GMT) Post subject:

I like the idea if connecting a face with the voice ... and you'll have a hard time finding a more goofy lookin' schmo than me (seriously GIS it - I'm there).

Secondly ... Robert ... you know Mabel Shmugurski? Have you seen her recently? We had a short ... thing in the 80's and I think she gave me something.

Scott Nilsen · Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006, 07:50 (GMT) Post subject:

well, you guys have convinced me...and I wasn't even the one asking! I'm going to put mine on and wait eagerly by my email inbox for all those private leads!

Scott Nilsen

Scott Nilsen · Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006, 07:59 (GMT) Post subject:

I guess that Mabel gets around....

Laura Darkstar · Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006, 08:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Thank you.
In addition to the advice, you guys gave me something I really needed.
A SMILE!!
Thanks.. more than you know!

Andrea Rooz · Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006, 13:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Hmmm...I'm starting to rethink my position. You guys make some good arguements...of course, you all have lovely pictures and lovely faces. Smile

Joe J Thomas · Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006, 15:37 (GMT) Post subject: Photo? Hech yeah!

Nikki Saco · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006, 22:13 (GMT) Post subject:

I don't think a headshot will put off talent seekers if the voice is the sound they want; and I agree that on the plus side it really helps you connect better with the client. Robert also made a great point that a face that doesn't match a voice only adds intrigue.

Uh, since we're being honest here, I'll admit . . . Mabel got around a little more than you know. slash