Whether you’re a seasoned pro, making a comeback, or hopping into the for the first time, your resume is your calling card. Let’s break it down, from why it’s crucial to the ins and outs of crafting an acting resume that screams “Book me!”
Why Your Resume Matters
Your resume isn’t just a laundry list of your acting gigs – it’s where you specify supporting, leading, recurring, guest star, or series regular roles. Your resume provides us with a bit more detail without going into extensive character descriptions. It’s important to remember that while you can tailor your resume to highlight specific roles or accomplishments, it should remain concise and easy to read.
The purpose of your resume is to paint a vivid picture of your experience, and most importantly your skill set so you can sign with an agent or manager or level up your representation and land more audition opportunities. This leads to booking more work while building fans in the industry.
Wanna know what to do at an agent meeting and how your resume can help?
How to Format a Professional Acting Resume
Clean and Clear Layout: Think of your resume as a map – easy to read. Keep it clean, with clear title headings and bullet points of projects you’ve worked on. As a casting director we are often strapped for time-make it easy for us.
Headshot Integration: Your headshot is your face to the world – literally. Place it in the top corner so it grabs our attention from the get-go.
Credits in Chronological Order: Start with your most recent work and work your way back as we want to know what you’ve booked recently.
What to Put on Your Acting Resumes
Project Details: Project name, role, and production company or director’s first and last name.
Commercials: Don’t list all your commercials as you may have conflicts with what we are currently casting. For example, you booked a McDonald’s commercial 4 years ago and I’m casting “Burger King” now. If I see Mc Donalds listed on your acting resume, I automatically cast you aside because you’ve done a commercial with the competitor. So, it’s a “conflict.”
Instead write: “available on request.”
Training and Education: Any classes, workshops, or degrees related to your craft. It’s not just about what you’ve done but also how you’ve honed your skill set.
Special Skills: From languages spoken to unique talents, let us know what makes you stand out. You never know when your ability to juggle might land you the perfect role. Especially when it comes to commercial casting.
PRO TIP: If you’re listing a skill make sure you are NOT at the beginner level.
As you gear up for your next agent meeting, arm yourself with my freebie – “The Working Actor Toolkit.”
The Categories that Should Go on a Professional Acting Resume
Performance Credits: Your acting gigs – the heart of your resume.
Training and Education: Where you’ve sharpened your acting tools.
Special Skills: Your secret weapons that set you apart.
What to Leave Off Your Resume
Personal Information: No need for your home address, or social security number. EVER. No professional should ask you to add this personal information. List your representation’s phone number, your phone #, email address (for casting or production to get a hold of you when your rep’s office is closed on the weekends)
The Do’s and Don’ts of Putting Together a Professional Resume
Do:
Be Honest: Stretching the truth can be tricky, especially if you run into someone who worked on the same project.
Update Regularly: Keep your resume current – you never know when opportunity knocks.
Don’t:
Get Too Wordy: Specificity is key.
Use Fancy Fonts: Stick to the basics. It’s about content, not flair.
Forget Your Contact Info: Make it easy for us to reach out.
Meeting Q&A: Questions Agents and Managers Might Ask Based on an Actor’s Resume
Think of your acting resume as your sneak peek. We want to know what you bring to the table – your experience, your training, your unique self.
Agent/Manager: I see you’ve done a lot of theatre. Any specific roles that really challenged you?
Agent/Manager: You’ve taken classes with Mel Mack Acting Studios. How has that influenced your approach to acting?
Agent/Manager: I see you horse back ride. What level are you at?
As you gear up for your next agent meeting, arm yourself with my freebie – “The Working Actor Toolkit.”
Remember, your acting resume is key to getting your foot in the door for bigger and better projects, representation and audition opportunities so craft it with care.