If you’re an aspiring model or actor, the simple fact is that you need a composite card, or a “comp card” as they are commonly known. Here you will find the basic low-down on these cards: what they are, why they’re important, and how to get your own.
What is a comp card?
A comp card is the model or actor’s business card. If you are in the business and you plan to get any kind of work, you need one. Without this basic staple item, it is difficult to be taken seriously in the world of fashion and theatrics. A comp card is what you bring with you to auditions and castings so that you can leave the casting director a very powerful reminder of what you look like, what your stats are, what your measurements are, and maybe most important, how to contact you for a callback.
What does a comp card look like?
Composite cards come in all types of layouts, but there are some basic elements that are or should be common to all.
A close-up headshot is a key component. This shot should be head and shoulders, or perhaps from the waist up, but no wider than that. Many casting directors and agents encourage models and actors to keep this headshot nearly makeup free so that your true face shines through. Your comp card should also contain three or four other images, showing a variety of looks with at least a few full body shots.
As far as basic information, your comp card should include the measurements a casting director would need to know for most costuming, perhaps including bust, waist, hips, height, shoe size, and bra size, depending on the gender and the focus of the model or actor (lingerie, fitness, haute couture, etc.). Finally, contact information is extremely important to feature on the card!
Comp cards are typically 6″x9″. Many are two-sided so that the model or actor can feature the headshot on one side of the composite card and several smaller images on the other side.
Why are comp cards important?
As we mentioned above, you do not appear to be serious about your acting or modeling career unless you come to castings prepared with a comp card. It’s just that simple.
How can I get a comp card?
If you are already signed with an agency, they may take care of the comp card for you or they give you basic instructions on how to secure your own comp card.
First, you need images. You would probably do well to hire a photographer if your agency hasn’t set you up with one. Be careful for sharks. Universities might be good places to find student photographers who have great equipment and talent but who are not established enough to charge monstrous prices. Or you can just bite the bullet and hire the best in town. A good comp card is truly a great asset for your budding modeling career, so it may well be worthwhile.
Then you need to design the layout of the comp card. You can use Adobe Photoshop or Adobe InDesign and create the layout without too much trouble. Or you can call on a professional designer. Some printing companies, like EliteFlyers.com for example, have not only the means to print your comp cards, but also designers on hand to help you lay out your comp card for a very reasonable cost.
The final stage then is printing your comp card. EliteFlyers.com makes it super easy to print comp cards, because they’ve got a standard template for the design of the comp card, and extremely reasonable prices on the highest quality comp cards in the business.
For help from start to finish with your game-changing composite cards, go to EliteFlyers.com today!
About Terrell HammelTerrell is a professional with years of experience in marketing, and management. At EliteFlyers.com he handles content curation among many other responsibilities including customer service, business development and other administrative functions.
