u/JiwaDE

Hey everyone,

​I’m in a bit of a pickle and could really use some advice, recommendations, or an industry eye.

​To give you some context: I’m a total acting beginner. I’ve done a small workshop and gained some initial experience as a background actor on a major Hollywood set. I wanted to hit the ground running and get professional headshots done right away, but I think I stumbled a bit.

​I recently did a big session (around 360 proofs, covering different beard lengths, hairstyles, and some half/full body movement shots). I made a pre-selection of about 35 images, but during a recent Q&A with a UK industry professional (co-founder of a drama school), I got some tough, honest feedback: They told me my selection was way too "modely", too cinematic with too many heavy shadows, and drifted too far apart from what a classic, casting-ready headshot needs to look like.

​The catch is: The photographer shot a lot of the session in that specific, moody, high-contrast style, which is why my pre-selection ended up looking like that.

​Since I'm just starting out, I know my headshots need to do the heavy lifting. I need to dive back into the remaining 360 raw proofs and strategically pick a final 15 for retouching that can fulfill the needs of three very different markets:

​ ​Germany/EU

​UK

​US/International

​Since the raw material is quite cinematic and I'm still learning the ropes of the industry, I really need a professional eye to help me find the hidden gems that look like actual market-specific headshots and not just cool photos.

​Does anyone have recommendations for professional, paid services, acting coaches, or (former) casting minds in the UK/US/EU who explicitly offer "proof sheet culling" or portfolio rescue reviews for beginners?

​(Note: I have the proofs on a private link, so if any industry pros here offer this service privately and know how to extract different market looks from a moody batch, please feel free to DM me with your rates!)

​Thanks a lot!