Acting Resume

 

The way people look for and apply to casting opportunities has drastically changed. An actor

having to optimize a resume, reel and headshots to fit a role's needs have never been more

difficult and competitive. That's why the perfect acting resume will help increase the odds of

landing the job incredibly.

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In this article we will go through what an acting resume is and methods to properly market a

resume, reel, and headshots to increase an actors chances of making it in the room and

showcase their talents.

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What is an Acting Resume

An acting resume plays a massive role in landing auditions. This resume is a document that

highlights an actor's experience as well as describes an actor's physical appearance. An acting

resume should be a reference for the directors. Not only does it show the roles actors have

played but it also showcases the training and special skills you may bring to the table.

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What to Include In an Acting Resume

Within an acting resume it is important to include contact information.

This sections should have the actors:

1. Name

2. Phone Number

3. Business Email Address

4. Website or Acting Content Samples

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A description of an actor's physical appearance is also mandatory to have in an acting resume.

This should include but is not limited to:

1. Physical body dimensions

2. Hair and Eye color

3. Height

4. Unique physical traits (birthmarks or tattoos)

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Another section that is important to have within an acting resume is an actor's history and

experience. Experience should be dedicated to the category of productions an actor has

participated in, either theater, film and/or tv. It is acceptable to have credits from only one

category, but remember diversification of a resume is desirable. It is important to only list

productions from the past 5-10 years.

 

A head shot is arguably the most important part of the acting resume. This should be a face

shot from the shoulders up displaying an actor's natural features and beauty.

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Education and Training

In this section of the resume include directors or educators that you have worked with in the

past that have some recognition or valuable standing within the industry. This helps with

building an actor's reputation as well as being seen as desirable to casting directors.

Education information should be up to date; the name of the highest education an actor has

received, as well as any mention of acting schools. Any workshops an actor has participated in

should be included as well.

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Displaying the type of training that an actor has had only provides casting directors with a

greater idea of how versatile an actor is. These trainings range across a multitude of skill sets

such as modern or classical acting, dialects or song and dance. This section should be used to

articulate your skills and training in order to help the casting director better understand what

talents and expertise an actor can bring to a particular role.

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An actor must be sure to add skills that they may excel in as well.

Here are some skills that are recommended for an acting resume:

1. Dancing (tap, contemporary, jazz)

2. Musical Instruments (guitar, piano, drums)

3. Fluency level in other languages (spanish, french, italian)

4. Combat training (weapons training, combat for screen and stage, etc.)

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Education, skills and training is the part of the resume that is most important to pay attention to.

This section can make all of the difference in the decision a casting director may have in

choosing one actor over another. This section will spark up any acting resume and set any actor

aside from other candidates.

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Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Let us talk about the mistakes to avoid when it comes to an acting resume. Make sure to always

send in a resume as a PDF file. Do not ever send in a resume as a Word document (the layout

and formatting of the document will be altered). Each one of the resumes sections must be clear

and concise. Detail every part of an acting resume with bold lettering on important sections and

Italic lettering on noticeable words. Keep everything in black and white.

A professional acting resume must fit in one whole page. The headshot should be 8 x 10 and

included on the back of an acting resume.

 

From Paper to the Big Screen

An acting resume is a casting directors one look book into who they will choose to hire for a

role. The most successful resumes within the acting industry will be the ones that showcase the

actors talents and skills in a way that's clean, concise, professional and impressive. Acting

resumes should not only be elegant but be in depth.

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