Having never been a part of an actual photo shoot and more importantly being the subject, I wasn’t sure how to prepare. I picked out several different outfits, mostly casual, some trend, some sporty, some a little more formal. I put them all in the car and headed for the studio.
First thing to remember is that it’s hot in Southern California. My car’s air conditioning was on the fritz. So all the primping I did before leaving home was for nod. By the time I got to the studio, I was wind blown and sweaty. The studio was not air conditioned either. It was an open lofty space with barn doors.
As I cleaned up a little for the shoot it became apparent that I brought too much stuff. It’s a headshot. Shoes don’t matter. Really nothing below the waste matters. The photographer was a nice man and he didn’t laugh at me. He shot some full length just to make me feel better, I think
Also I had a shirt with a logo across the front for my college. No logos. I turned it inside out for the pictures. I brought some trendy sweat shirts with zippers every wear. I brought some colorful clothes too. The shoot was black and white. My eyes were bloodshot. Thank goodness for airbrushing, I thought to myself.
The whole thing took maybe an hour and cost me 500 bucks. That was a lot of money in the eighties. But I needed a headshot and thought it was a good investment.
It took a week before my agent called me to go over the proofs and pick a shot to use in the magazine.
The magazine came out a month later. Faces International threw a big party at a theatre in downtown Los Angeles, I think it was the Ahmanson or the Pantages. At any rate it had a huge lobby for the reception. I was totally insecure. My agent wasn’t there to show me around and I left early.
As you can see I was buried in a sea of faces. Some people “paid” for larger pictures. Some were in color. Some even had a full page to themselves. It depended on how deep your pockets were and what your ego could handle.
When all was said and done, I got one call from this picture. It was another talent agency and what I surmised to be another money pit.
In the acting class I learned that you needed to go to cattle calls for extras. You needed to go to open auctions. You needed to do a lot of leg work.
The class also taught us about TV commercials. The instructor was currently in one for a major diner chain advertising its pies. The commercial had one line. They showed all the menu options and at the end he was featured saying, “And pie?”. Two words bought him a little fame and recognition.
My two words were “I’m tired”. After working till 1 am, I really couldn’t make a trip into Hollywood everyday for those open auctions and cattle calls.
My dream faded fast.
Life Beyond the Casinos 