How to know what your archetype is.
This is a difficult question to answer. It is hard to be objective about one’s self. Revolution Through Story aims to explore the fundamental meanings behind what your archetype is. This is why I want to help give you some insight. I didn’t have any insight or guidance about how the casting process worked when I was starting out as an actor, and I’m sure that probably delayed me finding my place and realising what I had to offer.
Archetypes have been embedded in stories since the beginning of time, and it is because of this that I feel we must acknowledge the relevance of archetypes in storytelling. This idea was widely popularised in 1959, when the psychologist Carl Jung acknowledged archetypes as “universal images that that have existed since the remotest of times.” In stories, archetypes form structures, patterns, so they are easy to recognise and therefore easier for audiences to absorb the message of the story. Whether light-hearted or tragic, patterns appear in both ancient and modern stories that have come from all corners of the Earth.
Whether it is the lovers, the hero, the villain, the mentor, the caregiver, the rebel, the innocent; these roles play an incredible significance in the balance of all things but especially in the building of community. How humans relate to each other is often based on assumption (which can, of course, be damaging) but I believe this is so relevant when it comes to understanding story, and when it comes to casting the characters in that story.
What assumptions do you think casting directors would first make about you from looking at your headshot?
A good place to start is — Do I look soft-hearted or stern? Do I look naive or aware? These can indicate social status. Do I look passive or defiant? Do I look trusting or wary? These can indicate whether you are a supporter or an antagonist of the plot line.
Even a certain hair colour has been associated with snobbery, temperament or intelligence. All of these guide casting directors in the ASSUMPTIONS they make about the type of person you are, or the type of person that audiences will best recognise you as.
If you have more specific questions, or would like me to take a look at your headshot, subscribe to the mailing list and send me a message on the contact sheet. I can look at your headshot and we can discuss the archetypes that you are most likely to be cast as.
Best of luck out there team.
Warmest and kindest,
Gee x
