Headshots @ MindSay 
In a project I'm working on, one of the characters wears a dark veil over half her face, or at least part of her face. So far I've studied a lot of bridal headresses for inspiration and researched some kick ass examples of medieval veils, but none yet have captured the look I see in my mind. Before drawing the character concept, I decided to use the sheers I have at home. The above photos are the self reference I came up with. I took over 65 photos in all and you can, if you really want to, see them at my Myspace photo album.
Later this week I'll display the resulting character sketch.
I'm still in Los Angeles, taking classes ALL THE TIME. Never think you've got this acting thing down and you can just rest on your training, folks. It's just like exercise. You would never get your body fit and trim and then think, well, I don't have to exercise anymore or eat well. I'll stay trim anyway. It's the same principle with acting. You have to stay fresh, keep practicing, keep learning.
I got some terrific headshots done recently, finally! Boy, it makes all the difference when you find someone who can help you relax and just be yourself. If you don't have headshots yet, and you are serious about becoming an actor, get some as soon as possible. Find a photographer who plays music you like, who makes you feel special and comfortable, and who has been doing this a while. The one I chose has been a photographer for about 18 years. If you are in Los Angeles, I highly recommend John McClurg at
Angels Touch.
I found a great free resource for actors too but before you sign up, get that nice headshot -- the one that looks just like you on a really good day. Then, you can set up a profile here: WORLDPERC just like mine.
Check me out and see one of my great new headshots NEVA'S PROFILE ON WORLDPERC
Note from the blogmaster: When I lived in Los Angeles, I quickly learned about "drop offs". I personally know people who got called in for auditions from a drop off and it happened to me too, at least once. It takes a tremendous amount of time to do drop offs yourself in that town. It once took me an hour and a half to go 18 miles, for example. In fact, that very night, sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, I called my Mom and said hey, "I just saw what my life will be like if I stay here. I think it isn't worth it. I think I'm coming home."
But for those of you brave enough to stick it out in tinseltown or those wanting to go, you gotta know about drop offs so here's a good article on the subject from my friend Jack, at www.actorsite.com If you happen to be in L.A. right now, check with actorsite because they have affordable drop off services, maybe the most affordable in the city and, BELIEVE ME, it's easier and less expensive than doing it yourself!
What are DROP OFFS?
* Have you ever gone to a casting studio and seen
the mail bins there where the Casting Directors accept
packages for future projects? If you drop your headshots
for those casting directors, you are doing a drop...you
place your headshot to be considered for future projects.
* If you want to drop to 70 commercial casting offices,
it takes about 10 hours and you'll drive over 100 miles.
* We currently have isolated over 90 Episodic Casting
Offices and it takes about THREE days and over 175 miles
driven to complete a round of drops.
* You can drop your headshot at any casting office you
wish, and it's best to just drop your headshot or postcard
WITHOUT an envelope. If you put it in the envelope, it is
unlikely to even be opened.
* Headshots and Postcards are each equally effective
in the drops and some actors do them every few weeks to
make sure they imprint their face and skills into the
conciousness of the Casting Director.
* We get reports of actors being called in from drops
ALL THE TIME. Many of the more successful actors in Hollywood
do their drops on a weekly basis, and also have us do their
drops too, since we hit many hard to get into offices. Drops
supplement your other marketing efforts and help you create
demand for your artistic talents, so that if you have an
agent or manager, they can help field the calls, and, as
many successful actors do, you can also field them yourself.
Artist Resources:
Dov S-S Simens Film School DVD
The Vocal Release Singing system