ABSTRACT
Before an actor makes decisions about headshots, a website, or any other marketing materials, she must first develop a clear and unvarnished understanding of her brand, or, as it’s commonly referred to in the profession, “type”—meaning an actor’s perceived identity—not necessarily who he really is—and the kinds of roles he is most likely to play. Factors that may affect type include the actor’s perceived age, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, size, vocal quality, personality, and general “vibe.” Understanding type is a crucial step in effective self-marketing.
In this chapter, a wide spectrum of marketing questions are addressed, including: how to figure out your type, the relative marketability of certain types, whether it’s necessary to adjust one’s style to fit one’s type, how to stand out within one’s category, how to proceed when one’s look doesn’t match one’s true ethnicity, what to do when you get an audition for a role you don’t think you’re right for, as well as issues of weight, tattoos, scars, dental imperfections, hair loss, and stage names.
