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As an actor, your resume will likely look different from resumes for other jobs. What should you know about writing an actor resume that turns heads?
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There are few industries quite like show business. If you want to be an actor, then your resume will probably look different from resumes for other industries. Many of the common resume guidelines may not apply here; an acting resume is one of the only examples where you may need a photograph of yourself, for example (although this is not always the case). So what makes a great actor resume?
Generally, casting directors will spend less than a minute looking at each resume that they receive, so it is important that a professional acting resume is clear and concise. You should focus on listing prestigious and notable roles and certifications as focal points of your resume. Agents and casting directors will be looking for schools, teachers, studios, and theaters that they have respect for first and foremost. If you received your Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from Julliard, for example, this should be emphasized in your resume.
Beyond this, you should highlight the different venues and productions you have acted in alongside any specialist acting skills or talents that you may have. Musical skills, singing skills, and dancing capabilities are all attractive additions to any actor’s resume, as is enrollment in acting groups and professional guilds. Some roles may ask for you to provide details of your appearance, like your height, hair color, or eye color, but it is not always necessary to include these details. Only provide this information if you are asked to.
Ideally, your professional acting resume should be no more than one page in length. This basic structure provides a great blueprint that you can follow when writing your own resume, but you can also use a resume builder to create an eye-catching resume. ResumeHelp offers a range of beautiful resume templates via their resume-building tool.
Every resume should have a header at the very top of the page. This should include your full name, phone number, alternative contact information, and professional social media profiles.
Next, you should have either a resume summary or a resume objective statement. A resume summary should contain the highlights of your acting career and skills. Essentially, this is a summation of what makes you right for the role. If you lack experience, then you should opt for a resume objective statement instead, which is a statement of your career goals and skills.
If you have decent experience as a professional actor or you have undergone formal education, then you should have a decent range of skills to list here. Examples of acting skills you could include are:
The way professional experience should be presented in an acting resume differs from more traditional resume formats. Ideally, you should split your acting roles into categories and list whether you were an extra, a supporting actor, or the lead. For example, you might have headings for theater, voiceover, and film & TV roles within your work experience section. You do not necessarily need to provide the character’s name. For example:
Your education section should include the formal qualifications that you have. You do not necessarily need to include the details of all of the acting classes that you have attended. Instead, focus on prestigious or notable academic achievements. For example, if you attended the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, then this will carry more weight than acting classes at your local community college. If you don’t have prestigious academic qualifications, then don’t despair; list what you have and focus on areas where you excelled.
If you want to ensure that you make a great first impression, then it is a good idea to make use of free acting resume templates and acting resume examples to ensure great formatting and get inspiration.
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Yes, unless you have specifically been asked to refrain from sending a cover letter, you should include one in every application, whether it’s to your community theater or Broadway. Consider relevant examples to see how you can write the best actor cover letter for you.
If you are new to acting, then you should make use of all the acting credits you have. List everything, from student films and unpaid roles to small parts on TV shows, notable acting roles, and theater credits. You can also make use of any memberships that you have; if you are a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), for example, this can be helpful.
Not always. Some roles may ask for a professional headshot, while others may specifically ask that you don’t. Check the job description before you attach a picture to your applications for acting jobs.
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