So you want to start your acting career in Des Moines, Iowa? You should understand that to have a successful career in the entertainment industry you have to be willing to put in the hard work and be dedicated to your career and your own success. It takes determination to become a successful actor or actress in the entertainment industry and mastering your craft in Des Moines, Iowa will not happen overnight.
A good place to start is by building your portfolio, your headshots and resume will go into this and any previous experience you have as well in the form of reels or composites. So start by getting your headshots done and it would not hurt to look into local acting courses and schools in the Des Moines, Iowa area. Taking acting courses will help you hone your natural talent and give you the skills you need to be a successful actor or actress in Des Moines, Iowa.
Headshots are extremely important in the entertainment business which is why many serious photographers consider it an art. Photographers that work with actors and models in Des Moines, Iowa really pride themselves on their skills and take much care to master the art of taking headshots. Taking selfies with your phone will not be the same and will not give you the professional polish you need to stand out in Des Moines, Iowa. Headshots are viewed with a critical eye and casting directors really look at more than just what you look like, but the feeling they get from the skills that you show in your headshot. They also look at how the headshot was taken and the actors facial expressions.
Make sure you view the portfolios of the photographers that you are considering before you even book an appointment with them in Des Moines, Iowa. The portfolio should be a good showcase of photos that appeal to the style that you are looking for and they should stand out for their professional look and polish. Being comfortable with the photographer you choose is important so it will help ensure that they not only capture your best looks and side but that you are comfortable enough to present them with material that will help you stand out with your headshots they take. The key is collaboration so the end result will look great and help you forward your career while helping them with their career.
A resume when coupled with your headshot really completes your calling card in the entertainment industry. Resumes are typically attached neatly to the back of your headshot and lets any agents and casting directors know about the experiences you have had and any previous acting work you have done there in Des Moines, Iowa or other cities. Always remember that headshots are typically done in three fourths shots or close ups.
It is good to also list off the teachers that you had when you were in school as you make up your resume in Des Moines, Iowa 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 Des Moines, Iowa. 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.
Grammar is highly important to make sure of when you create your resume before giving it to anyone in Des Moines, Iowa. Spell Check exists for a reason and always make sure you take the time to read over your resume to make sure everything flows as it should too. It’s important that your resume has a professional polish to it and doesn’t make you look like you have a second grade education. 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. This will help you see things that you may have not noticed yourself about your resume or maybe if the person knows you well enough they may see that you are not listing something that would really help agents and casting directors really see your skill.
Your headshot should always be coupled with your resume, to work together. It is recommended that as you start going to auditions in Des Moines, Iowa that you have your resume attached to your headshot and that it is trimmed down to fit the 8x10 headshot as well, it is best attached by staples neatly with one in each corner of the page. Some companies will take the time to print your resume on the back of your headshot for an even more polished look, though sometimes the casting director will prefer them to be easy to separate so they can file them accordingly. These are the tools to market yourself, so they need to be pretty much perfect and professional as you start getting your career off the ground in Des Moines, Iowa.
