We’re kicking off the new week with a new blog post! Over the last few days, we’ve received several queries about how best to optimise a Portfoliopad profile. While chatting with members of our Talent Pool, we figured, “Why not pen a post to share some pointers with our readers?”
CI Talent will be familiar with our sourcing software, Portfoliopad. This secure and ever-evolving platform helps Agents link Talent to exciting film, television, and commercial roles.
While Portfoliopad offers helpful search tools, the Developers are careful not to over-automate the sourcing process. This keeps the human element of casting intact!
Once filters are applied to reflect the role spec (e.g., age, gender, location, and so on), it’s the Agent’s responsibility to knuckle down and propose the most suitable candidates for the job. This means combing through Talent profiles to assess their experience.
To maximise your chances of getting called for an audition… or even selected on the spot… it’s essential to keep your portfolio up-to-date.
At Casting Ireland, we’re eager to support you on the road to success! We’ve compiled a few tips to make your portfolio magnetic, helping you to make an immediate and lasting impression. The creative industries move at a fast pace, so curating your profile to be impactful at a glance can make all the difference.
1. High quality headshots
Your photo is the first thing a client sees. With that in mind, it’s best to deck out your profile with clear, high resolution images.
Don’t worry, they don’t need to be taken by a professional photographer!
We recommend uploading well-lit photographs, taken against a plain, neutral background. Ideally, no hats, sunglasses, or anything that obscures your face. Avoid blurry, awkwardly cropped or over-exposed images. You should also be wary of screenshots and group photos.
2. Keep it current
Experimenting with your look can be a lot of fun and offers great insight into what suits you best! Think dying your hair, growing a moustache, shaving your head, or getting a new tattoo.
If you enjoy switching up your aesthetic, it’s a good idea to keep your photos up-to-date. This way, the images on your profile accurately reflect your current style and the client knows what to expect prior to your arrival on set.
This is also true for child performers. Kids grow at a rapid pace, so updating your child’s photos every 6 – 12 months is the general rule of thumb. There’s even a field to help you keep track of the last time you submitted their measurements.
3. The more information, the merrier
When you submit your application form, there are a few mandatory fields to populate, such as your first name, surname, and email address.
As you progress through the form, you are given the opportunity to go more in-depth, providing details such as your measurements, unique skills, and more.
Where possible, we’d recommend providing as much information as you can. Rest assured, your details will be treated with the utmost confidence and stored securely.
Listing varied skills on your profile can offer a leg-up when it comes to landing roles. Something you may consider irrelevant, or even a little random, could end up being your golden ticket to getting cast. You never know when a client will request a 5’2” strong swimmer with fluent German!
4. Shine a light on your experience
Producers and Talent Scouts are eager to learn more about Actor experience and, where possible, see them put their skills to the test. To capture their attention, be sure and keep both your Acting CV and Showreel up-to-date. If you’re a Voice Over Artist, the same rule applies for Narration Samples.
These materials can be the difference between securing an audition and a getting a “better luck next time”. With this in mind, the team at Mainboard have allocated dedicated sections on Portfoliopad where you can conveniently upload .MP4, .MP3, and .PDF files. So, be sure and make the most of the Video/Audio and Bio fields.
5. List the right contacts
People have different email addresses for different purposes, but tend to gravitate towards one in particular. Is the email we have on file the best place to reach you?
We regularly send out Availability Checks, many of which are time sensitive, so we want to make sure you’re immediately notified of exciting opportunities.
It’d be a real shame for the perfect role to gather dust in an abandoned inbox, or worse yet, never arrive due to a typo in the email address you provided! No harm in double-checking your credentials, just to be certain.
If we can’t get through to you, we may reach out to your emergency contact. This, of course, would only be on very rare occasions, for example, if you’re unexpectedly absent from set and we can’t get through to you. When listing your next of kin’s details in Portfoliopad, please include their full name and mobile number as they’ll be our next port of call.
6. Don’t be a stranger!
We’re always delighted to hear from members of our Talent Pool! Please don’t hesitate reach out to us about your most recent projects, future aspirations, or latest acting class certification. We’ll be sure and make a note of them.
Over the years, many of our prolific Performers have progressed from Background Extra to Featured Extra to Actor. We encourage and nurture artistic growth, so don’t be behind the door in sharing your accomplishments as well as your ambitions. We’re here to advocate for you and cheer you on!
Have a question about Portfoliopad? Looking for guidance on how to put together an Acting CV? Or maybe you’d like a hand with your Showreel? We’d be delighted to help – we’re just an email away!
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If you’re in need of Actors, Models, Extras, or Performers for your next Creative or Commercial Project, get in touch. Simply email info@castingireland.ie or call us on (01) 634 3112.
