I spent much of today doing one of those jobs of an actor that nobody likes to talk about much. Assembling headshots. Yech. As I'm sure you know, a headshot is a photo of an actor with a copy of their resume attached to the back. Sounds simple enough, right? In theory, sure.

Headshots usually measure 8"x10" so each resume has to be cut down from an 8.5"x11" page to fit on the back. As tempting as it may be, not cutting them down is a big "no-no" and will earn you disdain (and a circular file toss) from most casting directors.

You can use staples to attach the resume but they aren't the best and many people don't like 'em. Staples catch on things and can easily impale or scratch -- also not a great way to endear you to a potential employer. Personally, I prefer to use some permanent tape adhesive that comes in a dispenser. It goes on pretty quickly and the resumes don't come off or bubble like liquid glue.

So anyway, I've met and signed up with someone who runs a "headshot drop-off" service. You give him a stack of your headshots and he drops them off at different casting director offices. Ideally, an actor should be doing this themselves (so the CDs offices might get used to seeing your face) but don't because of time, gas prices and laziness. Besides, many CDs have their offices on secured lots and it's difficult to get access. Mailings are an option but at $.60 each for postage alone, large mailings get expensive. The drop-off service charges $40 for 100 headshots which is $20 cheaper than mailing 100 and a whole lot easier. I won't abandon my own drop-offs or mailings but this is a good supplement. As part of the service, I'll be e-mailed a list of names and addresses where my photo has been left so I can follow up with postcards.

Because I've started my new acting class, I got a credit for an additional 40 headshots drop-offs. My daughter is an actress as well and since I'm using the service for her photos, I received an additional 40 headshot credit as a referral.

Then, my agent's office e-mailed and asked for some headshots to replenish their stock in addition to some extras for an additional mailing they're doing to commercial casting directors.

So in total, I needed to assemble 250 headshots. Thankfully I had enough photos and adhesive in stock but still, that's a whole lot of printing, cutting and sticking to do. Along the way, my printer's toner cartridge gave out while printing resumes so I had to go out and (grudgingly) buy a replacement.

By the time I was done, most of the day was shot. My fingers had paper cuts and felt like they had a layer of skin removed from all of the adhesive. Laborious work but it's a good feeling to know you're "doing" something to move your career forward. Blood, sweat and a bit of DNA are all a part of it.

who knew being an actor was so labor intensive? Wow! 250 photos with attached resumes. : )
I too played with photos this week. I filled nearly 8 photo albums with family photos that have been in a big blue plastic tub for years.