Jump 15 years later sitting on the couch with my pregnant second wife…she had an incredible craving for Law & Orders. Gotta love pregnant girls!  I mentioned that I would love to be a dead body in the beginning on the show. So I started to investigate online just how to become an extra. The first website I joined was ExploreTalent.com. They listed movie projects that needed actors and extras (but no TV shows). October of 2006 I got a call to be an extra in an independent movie called “Homeland.”

I had no idea how to prepare for a full long day on a production set.  I was to be in Queens in the morning and they told me what to wear (casual fall clothing). But I didn’t bring anything else. Ended up being a very nice day in October and holding was on a balcony so I got some sun that day. Made sure I got there early enough (7am) and did not get used until 4pm. I ended up in an ice cream parlor scene as part of a couple with another girl. They even had us talk on camera (we were told this was our fourth date). But it was on the roof where I was told about another website I needed to join (CastingNetworks.com) if I wanted to be on Law & Order.

So the next day I joined Casting Networks and listed Homeland as my first project. My resume was started. I uploaded the first headshots a month later and got on Law & Order SVU (episode title “Outsider”) in December of ’06. I was cast as a mobster in a court room arraignment scene. I wore a black track suit and you could see me in the scene pretty clearly. It was pretty exciting to see me on Law & Order. The rest is history.

Headshots are exactly what the name suggest – shots of your head.  Headshots are one of the most effective and important tool an actor has in order to get the first break of his/her acting career.  Even established actors provide up-to-date headshots in order to capture current looks.  In most cases, it’s these photos that are your only link to casting agents and directors prior to being seen live.  It can be considered your first audition. Therefore, the headshot should convey who you really are or be geared towards the types of roles your vying for or meant for.

Federal Agent/Secret Service/Businessman Look

Since Background Acting for me is a hobby I didn’t go out and spend hundreds of dollars on expensive professional headshots. I, actually, had my brother take a few pictures of me and I posted them on my first online profile page. I quickly learned that that doesn’t work when you’re trying to get work. Than I had a professional photographer who was taking pictures of my kids snap a few headshot type photos of me. Right away I was being called for background work.  But after three years those headshots were getting old and boring so I decided to create a portfolio package that included the traditional headshot (close up) but also had 3/4 shots (waist up) showing me in various warddrobe changes that highlighted my style – my look.

Mobster/Bouncer Look

These packages are not cheap and should be well thought out and well researched prior to having them taken. Go to several photographers and look at their books. They are the professionals but you are the subject of these pictures. You are tying to sell yourself and these photos are your gateway to the work out there. 

I have a very distinct look and style. I’m the cop, detective, federal agent, mobster, tough guy, blue collar, security, bouncer & perp. So the photos I got done shows me in that light. I should be receiving my all my 8×10′s shortly. I will be mailing out several headshots showing my styles to all casting agencies in the area. 

If you’re thinking about getting “into the biz” you have to go out and get professional headshots. There are open casting calls all the time for movies and casting agencies for union and non-union talent. It’s these headshots that get you noticed first. You sell yourself after you’re called for an audition or role – even background.

Tough Guy/Perp Look

Headshots done by Len Marks of Len Marks Photography – http://www.lenmarksphoto.com/