The Key to Great Headshots and start auditioning…

Embrace Your Casting

Let me preface this post and this series of posts. Please keep in mind, that this blog is dedicated to actors of all levels, in all places of their careers. I’ve been at it for a hot minute, just like many of my colleagues. We studied, put in the work and have learned lessons along the way. These are experiences I have had and lessons learned from them. I’m am choosing to share them with you, because I’ve been so flattered that strangers continually ask me the same questions and what advice I have. I don’t want this to be advice; I just want these lessons to be an examples. There have been really great highs and insane lows and it’s all a part of the ride. I hope to make this journey a little easier for you to digest. These lessons and experiences are neither wrong nor right, a cry for attention or to get you to say, “oh my gosh, I’m so sorry you went through that.” It’s just what it was. Now, with that out of the way, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

AHEM.

The KEY to Great Headshots and to start auditioning… is embracing yourself and your casting.

One of the most important things for you as an actor is knowing exactly who you are. This took me a really long time to figure out. I had just moved to LA, and there was a big push for Latina’s and more body-diverse actors, which was great. I came at a great time, that just so happened to work out for me in some cases, and in some cases, notsomuch.

I did a lot of classes and was networking with industry professionals and I was literally told everything from; “change your name, drop Rodriguez to be more ambiguous; add Rodriguez to be more Latina so you get called in; either to gain thirty pounds or lose thirty pounds; you’re only going to play Latina; you’re too white looking, I’d never call you in for Latina; you can’t be a lead, you’re not a model; you’re too pretty to be the quirky sidekick; you should get a spray tan to look more Hispanic; you should work in Mexico on novellas; you can’t wear that much makeup, it’ll make you look older; you should wear more makeup; you should straighten, dye, curl your hair…” LITERALLY EVERYTHING. And look, I get it. I transform myself to play other people, but I was really just sick of trying to be and do all of these things that were not essentially me.

Then I remember in 2016, I said to myself, why am I exhausting myself trying to change myself for other people, instead of bringing myself to these characters to transform in character. See there is a difference. Transforming within character or completely changing myself. I had it all backwards. Once I realized this shift, things started changing for me. I was taking joy in bringing myself to everything, instead of trying to be an idea of any of these things other people thought I should be and wanted me to be, like when I auditioned for a very popular sketch diversity program I was suggested to change all of my characters to Latina, make them have an accent and to especially have a chola character and basically be every stereotype of latinas. So diverse. It since has changed. It only took four years, but I’m glad it’s finally changed.

I came into my own. I was comfortable in my own skin and had the “this is me, you either like it or you don’t,” and it was one of the most transformative times of my life. I ended up booking a network pilot (great recurring guest that didn’t move forward, set in Texas, imagine that!) and later that year, a recurring guest star that was supposed to be a one episode co-star. I clearly remember: one of the writers came up to me on my second or third episode and said, “you’re just giving us so much in the writers room, it’s making our jobs so much easier.” If that isn’t the must flattering, most humbling comment ever, I don’t know what is. I think I tried not crying, (we all know I’m crier). I was vibing, doing my job, having fun and bringing a collaborative mindset and my points of view into my role -- and it was being noticed and appreciated! Imagine that! I was being myself instead of someone else!

I was clear with who I was and what I brought to the table. I became very aware of myself, and therefore very aware of my real casting. I had to do some soul searching and really coming to terms of where I fit in television and film.

Mind, Body, Soul.

This is what I hope for everyone to do. I had come to realize, there was who I was as a person, and that included what I actually l looked like, what I thought I looked like, and how others perceived me. There are so many things to consider, like your voice, your age, your height, the age you actually look like, your frame, your hair, the way you speak, and yes, we can change these with wardrobe, makeup, and voicework… and when I really thought about this, it made it very clear and just embraced exactly who I was.

I had done a workshop with a really great casting director. She said to the class of mostly green actors, “look, I’m going to be honest. I need to be able to buy you off the rack. I need to be able to hire you today for a job in two days and need you to deliver. We can’t wait six months for you to get in shape, dye your hair, learn how to ride a horse overnight, or xyz.” That made so much sense to me. She never called me in form the workshop and that is fantastic, because I was green and probably not ready to work on her shows, and that’s okay. More on workshops another time.

So that got me thinking realistically. Based on my current “off the rack” appearance and capabilities… Was I going to go for military heavy, action packed stunt work or prisoner for being a drug addict? Probably not… yet! (I kid you not, I initially wrote this on 1/12/2020 and 1/14/2020 I read for a martial artist role so never say never). Just with where I was at in my career at that point. Sweet young professional, young mom, teacher, held up victim who cries on cue… is my vibe, and what worked for me to get myself into working and into casting offices, so really embraced that for myself. I stopped trying to be everything all at once and really focused on the two/three vibes that served me the most. I don’t want to say I was pigeonholing myself, but just an “easier” way to break in and introduce myself and show my range of what was realistic at the time. This worked for me — it may or may not work for you or be for you. I think we all identify as chameleons, I know I am, but for the sake of working, this is what I did.

Find those for you. Sit down and be really clear with where you’re at. Head to toe, mind, body, soul. Yes, it’s easy to ask others how they see you. Would I ask family and friends? Probably not… yes it’s fun the first year to share your headshots on Facebook to see what everyone thinks, but let’s face it, everyone wants to see you as the star of a show and that’s why we all move to L.A., obviously. Talk to other industry professionals, people who know you well and maybe classmates who don’t know you well, people who are working in film and tv, and people who have experience on you.

If you’re able… maybe hire a coach or a consultant if you’re really struggling to find this for yourself (DO YOUR RESEARCH OF VETTED PROFESSIONALS!). I’ve done it and have a consultant I absolutely love and trust. It could prove to be helpful but remember to take everything with a grain of salt. Remember, it’s just subjective to every person and they’re not trying to hurt your feelings if you’re the “quiet, frumpy girl” or the “weird, pedophile looking guy.” I’m willing to bet you might find a common trend. You are the only one who knows what you bring to the table. Being so clear and realistic with a game plan will be so helpful for you in the long-run and save you a lot of heartache. It’s hard and will probably be cathartic but so essential for anyone pursuing this career.

So please, get very clear and realistic with yourself before you do headshots. If you have an agent or manager, don’t be afraid to ask them what they need and maybe even the types of roles they’ve been submitting you for, but for the love of God, don’t ask them the day before you’re doing your headshots. They have a lot of other deals, clients and submissions they’re working on so be respectful of your team’s time and give them a few days. Remember, it’s a collaborative effort and you have to always remember what you’re able to bring to the table.

So get out there, do some great self reflection and assessment and do the work. Again, these are all just my experiences. There is no right or wrong. This is not a how-to guidebook. I’m just a girl, writing in front of my blog, asking it to love me.

Happy evolving,