Photography Fashion

Q: What is a composite card?

A: A headshot shows an actor in one pose as individual talent. A composite (comp) card shows that a model can present different looks in commercial print or in fashion. An actor who also models may have both an actor’s headshot and a composite card.

Comp cards depict situations, tell a story, and use settings and props. A comp card is normally 5″ x 7″. There is one photograph on the cover and four on the back. With a folding card, there could be eight or ten shots. These photos look like ads or pictures on a printed page such as in a magazine. The purpose is to show that the actor or model can pull off different looks.

A comp card gives the client or agency the information they need to make a hiring decision — height, build, age range, personality, the ability to make different ideas look realistic and believable. All this information is needed. When it is all said and done, a comp card isn’t worth anything unless it is interesting enough for someone to pick up and look at.

Q: How do you work with talent in providing a comp card?

For a comp card, I meet with the subject and talk about objectives. What does this person want to achieve? Every picture on a comp card has a specific purpose and the purpose of meeting is to plan pictures that target different parts of the market. During the meeting, I determine the model’s strong attributes — facial, physical, or personality — and then arrange shots that highlight those strengths. The ultimate goal of a comp card is to make the person appealing and interesting so that the photos catch attention.

Q: What would a comp card for the Washington market look like?

A: As much of the Washington market is about the government and corporate scene, actors want photos that depict them as government employees or corporate executives. If the person is athletic, we find something that shows off athletic ability and make it look perhaps like a Nike ad.

A “lifestyle” shot depicts an everyday situation and is usually a feel good kind of picture. It could look like a mom and her child, or a guy with his dog. If the actor wants to stay commercial, we might go for a doctor shot. If the model wants to do some editorial work, we might do catalogue or more dramatic fashion. For someone who wants to do runway, we might put in a full length runway look.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1909885
Q: What is a composite card?

A: A headshot shows an actor in one pose as individual talent. A composite (comp) card shows that a model can present different looks in commercial print or in fashion. An actor who also models may have both an actor’s headshot and a composite card.

Comp cards depict situations, tell a story, and use settings and props. A comp card is normally 5″ x 7″. There is one photograph on the cover and four on the back. With a folding card, there could be eight or ten shots. These photos look like ads or pictures on a printed page such as in a magazine. The purpose is to show that the actor or model can pull off different looks.

A comp card gives the client or agency the information they need to make a hiring decision — height, build, age range, personality, the ability to make different ideas look realistic and believable. All this information is needed. When it is all said and done, a comp card isn’t worth anything unless it is interesting enough for someone to pick up and look at.

Q: How do you work with talent in providing a comp card?

For a comp card, I meet with the subject and talk about objectives. What does this person want to achieve? Every picture on a comp card has a specific purpose and the purpose of meeting is to plan pictures that target different parts of the market. During the meeting, I determine the model’s strong attributes — facial, physical, or personality — and then arrange shots that highlight those strengths. The ultimate goal of a comp card is to make the person appealing and interesting so that the photos catch attention.

Q: What would a comp card for the Washington market look like?

A: As much of the Washington market is about the government and corporate scene, actors want photos that depict them as government employees or corporate executives. If the person is athletic, we find something that shows off athletic ability and make it look perhaps like a Nike ad.

A “lifestyle” shot depicts an everyday situation and is usually a feel good kind of picture. It could look like a mom and her child, or a guy with his dog. If the actor wants to stay commercial, we might go for a doctor shot. If the model wants to do some editorial work, we might do catalogue or more dramatic fashion. For someone who wants to do runway, we might put in a full length runway look.