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Actors
Headshots - There are plenty of examples on-line and here are the basics:
- 8 x 10 inches
- black and white or Color
- exact resemblance of you at this point in time (including hair length, weight, etc.)
- name printed on the front
- resume attached to the back
- 'Rocket Repro' quality is the standard for printing
http://www.rocketrepro.com/

Film vs. Digital - I did some research into this so that you don't have to:
Industry standard for printing is at 300 dpi or ppi.  Therefore an 8 x 10 headshot is a
2400 x 3000 dpi image.

Film:  Printer shops will scan film-negatives (thereby converting them into digital files)
Scanners will do a 1 x 1.5 inch negative at around 3000 dpi; any higher
than 4000 dpi  and the chemicals on the film will start to show (unless it's high quality).
Therefore, you will have an image of about 3000 x 4500 dpi giving you plenty of
room to crop and edit to get it down to an 8 x 10 inch headshot.

Digital:  2400 x 3000 =  7.2 megapixels.  That's the minimum megapixel
camera you want to be using for headshots.  Be careful of terms like
'interpolated' which means digitally beefed-up rather than real pixels.  Also,
be careful of compression methods as quality may suffer (e.g. re-saving JPEGs).
In case you are wondering - the nice blurry background can be achieved by
either a nice (expensive) camera lens with a large aperture or digitally enhanced
through a program such as Adobe Photoshop.

Agents:
With a good headshot, you can then apply for representation.
Be sure to only apply to reputable, legitimate, and licensed agencies.
The main types are:
- Principal:  for Speaking roles
- Extras:  Background work only
- Commercial:  sometimes a 'Principal' agent will also handle commercial submissions
- Modeling:  should be separate from acting but I have seen combined agencies

Business of acting:
Being an actor is like owning your own business.
You must take into consideration all the associated fields such as:
- Marketing:  promotion and advertising, headshots, mail-outs, etc.
- Human Resources:  hiring a photographer, signing with an agent, etc.
- Legal and Accounting:  know your union-rules, paperwork, and finances.
- Research and Development:  taking acting classes and workshops

Here is a list of links for the new actor:

Casting Directors use 2 websites to post their auditions for Agents to submit:

You will have to join:
http://www.castingworkbook.com/

and create a resume on:
http://www.actorsaccess.com/
(a division of Breakdownservices)

not necessary but you can pay to see sides at:
http://www.showfax.com/
(also a division of Breakdownservices)

Look for Student film and other postings:
http://www.vancouveractorsguide.com/
http://www.actorsaccess.com/
http://vancouver.craigslist.org/tfr/

Union and production list:
http://www.ubcp.com/
http://www.ubcp.com/index.asp?navid=29&layid=91

Good message board:
http://www.vancouveractorsguide.com/

Be sure to visit www.youtube.com and search for:
Michael Caine Acting in Film


Crew Work:
If you are looking to get into 'crew' work then here are my suggestions but
first, a few warnings:
- work hours are long and vary from day to day (I have done 20 hour days)
- you may work on one project and then hit a dry spell for a LONG time
- most positions are unionized so there may be a seniority ladder system

1)  Decide which department - find out what the job entails.
(example:  Extras Wrangler means more than just 'herding' the background
to and from set and holding - knowing the performer union regulations,
finding last-minute replacements, paperwork, etc..)
2)  Develop skills in your chosen field through training / schooling
- some positions REQUIRE certain classes (example: 'Locations' may require
a set-safety/protocol along with a traffic flagging course).
- check with the union which governs your chosen field.
3)  Create a film-industry formatted resume (check on-line for examples)
4)  Check for upcoming projects (once they start filming, it is often too late
so you need to apply during pre-production or 'prep').
- for Vancouver, check www.ubcp.com (or your particular union's website)
5)  Call production office to find out who is the 'Key' or Department Head.
6)  Send resume to that person via the production office.

Remember - 'you are only as good as your last show' so work hard and
have a good attitude EVERYDAY.

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