Unless you have written one before, you need acting resume tips if you plan on impressing casting directors and agents. If not done in the correct manner, casting directors can immediately detect that you are an amateur. This resume will include information pertaining to any previous acting work you may have done, the roles you have played, and possibly information related to hobbies or skills you may have that could lend to the part. This article provides some essential acting resume tips that will help you land the part.
Be honest and open
Never make up experience or lie about your acting abilities. If you don’t have a great deal of past acting experience, put a strong emphasis on training and education that relates to the field.
Below are a few acting resume tips that are essential in making a positive impact on an agent or casting director:
1. You can use a word processing program to create your acting resume. Choose a simple, easy-to-read font. At the top of the page, include your name and center this information, making it bold. Directly below your name include any union affiliations such as AGMA, SAG or AFTRA. Leave this line blank if you do not belong to any affiliations.
2. Next, enter your manager’s or agents information if you have one. Their logos should be included, followed by contact information. For those who do not have an agent or manager, simply include your phone number, along with mailing and email addresses. Center all of this information on the page. If you do have an agent or manager (or both,) place the agents information to the left margin and manager’s information to the right.
3. Skip a few lines, then begin including information concerning the different mediums in which you have worked such as television, film, theater, commercials, etc. Whichever you choose to begin with, bold the heading such as “film” and underline. Skip a line, then begin entering all of your film credits using three columns. In the first, you want to enter the title of the film or television show. The second column should indicate the role you played, such as featured, lead, supporting, etc. The right hand column lists the director’s name and the name of the production company. In the case of television series, the part descriptions change. List the role you played such as guest star, recurring or series regular.
4. If you have no experience in films or commercials, list only columns for those mediums in which you do have experience such as television, theater, etc.
5. Following your actual acting experience, list any education/training you have had. List high school, college and trade schools, along with degrees you obtained. Also list classes that pertain to your career such as singing, acting, dancing and any other special skills that may peak the interest of the agent or director.
6. Lastly, you will want to include a special skills section that lists any skills such as speaking foreign languages, tricks, accents you are good with, etc.
You will want to include a head shot of yourself with your resume; choose the best picture you can, and attach your resume to the back with a staple.
Use these acting resume tips to help you create an impressive resume that will catch the eye of any casting director or agent.