04.06.07
Hairstyles As An Actor And A Tip To Negotiate A More Pay
As an actor you could be called upon to play a variety of roles,if you give yourself a unique haircut you’ll cut your chances a lot.
If you are known as the guy with the bright green mohawk then maybe you’ll hit that role as a circus performer for this weeks TV Commercial, but how many times do you think you will be hired after that? If they need you with a bright green mohawk for a decent role then they will do your hair for you.
To be prepared as much as possible for whatever role appears many actors let their hair grow and have a short beard, this way they can cut back to whatever is required of the next role.
In one movie I worked on many of the featured characters were chosen over their competition because they had beards and we were shooting a pirate movie. As I have said inother articles if the casting director can see you in the role you are to play then it is easier for them to give you the acting job, than someone they have to imagine.
The other benefit is that if they ask you to change your hairstyle (cut or shave) you can use thhis as a negotiation point when it comes to pay. Sort out your normal fee first then as a last point just before final agreement is reached, bring it up as a point you had forgotten - “Oh, my hair, I almost forgot, I have been growing it for quiet a while and I really do not want to shave it off, I will if the role requires it of course, but I would like some compensation for cutting all my hair off if you don’t mind”.
Get the extra few dollars out of them, they have the money and they can afford it, regardless of what they say. Plus it is annoying if you have to spend the next 3 months walking around with a stupid haircut.