You can’t start a successful career in acting without taking the first steps towards that dream. Being a successful actor or actress takes a lot of determination in Las Vegas. A great career does not just happen overnight, you have to look for opportunities and be willing to create your own opportunities. The first thing you want to start with to get yourself going in Las Vegas is to get your headshots and resume made up. Do not just use anyone when you are looking at photographers to do your headshots.
Headshots are literally considered an art, so making your own with your phone will not do at all. You want to make sure your headshots have a professional polish to them. You are worth investing in; investing in yourself will help ensure that you will make the strides to make your career successful. When you show that you can present yourself as a professional; casting directors will notice that and being professional makes a better impression and shows that you will work hard at any role you land.
Look at the photographer's portfolio before you even book an appointment with that studio in Las Vegas. Their portfolio should showcase photos that appeal to the style you are looking for and they should stand out. Comfort with your photographer is extremely important and will ensure that you are showing your best side in your photos. This will also help the photographer too when deciding the best angles to take your headshots in and what your preferences may be so there can be collaboration and a great finished product.
Your resume is also important and should be coupled with your headshot, by being attached to the back of your headshot. This completes your calling card in the industry and will also add nicely to your toolkit you compile as you start setting out on your career path in Las Vegas. A resume will let any possible employers in Las Vegas know about all the experience and acting work you have done until that point and keep in mind that the poses that are done in headshots are either ¾ shots or a close up.
It is good to also list off the teachers that you had when you were in school as you make up your resume in Las Vegas and anyone that you have had contact with in the entertainment industry. They will help show those that are viewing your resume and headshot that you were making the effort to better your skills as an actor or actress by taking classes with them. Your resume should however be to the point, but also honest there in Las Vegas. There may be someone that is looking at your resume; that will actually fact check when they are seeing if you are a good fit for their agency or production. Honesty in this industry is really important because you can ruin your reputation by fluffing out your resume, especially if the skills you have don’t back what you have in your resume.
Anyone that is anyone will tell you that grammar and having correct grammar in your resume can not be more important. Check for typos, you want to look professional and not illiterate on your resume. You can even have a friend or family member look it over as well just in case you missed a mistake yourself and get their input on the resume that you plan on sending out all over Las Vegas. Having a second set or even a third set of eyes looking over your headshots and resume can really help you figure out if there are any weak points in your resume.
It is also important that you couple your headshot with your resume. When you start going to auditions in Las Vegas, have your resume neatly attached to your headshot and make sure that the resume is trimmed to fit the back of your headshot and be sure to attach it with staples; one in each corner. Keep in mind that there are also companies that will print your resume on the back of your headshot if you have the budget for it. This allows for you to consolidate your own marketing tools. Your headshot and resume need to be pretty much perfect in Las Vegas, especially since these are your calling card as you start your career in the entertainment industry.
