Looking to make a splash in the world of acting? Your first step to landing the perfect role lies within a professional acting resume. It's more than a simple document - it's your ticket to auditions, a showcase of your unique skillset, and the first opportunity to stand out.
Crafting an acting resume can seem daunting, especially if you're new to this, but your resume is just telling your story. Are you ready to do that?
Let's dive into the essentials of creating an acting resume that will help you catch every casting director's eye.
Understanding the Acting Resume
Crafting an appealing acting resume offers insight into who you are as a performer that a casting director can't turn away from.
The Purpose of an Acting Resume
An acting resume is a professional record showcasing your unique skills, experience, and acting credits. It's not just a list of roles you've played. This document paints a succinct picture of your acting career to help casting directors, agents, and directors understand your relevant experience, assess your compatibility for roles, and evaluate your professional growth.
Critical Components of a Great Acting Resume
Your acting resume should incorporate your acting roles, as well as your education and training. This includes master classes, private coaching, and acting workshops you've attended. It details your unique skills, such as any musical instruments you play, second languages you speak, or improvisation techniques you've mastered. It can list your physical attributes, like vocal range and height. These details can be vital for certain roles. Remember, if you are part of a union like the Screen Actors Guild, your affiliation should also be listed. Let's discuss the order in which all this info should appear...
Crafting the Perfect Acting Resume
Choosing the Right Format
Your acting resume represents your professional journey, a mirror of your skills and talents. Keeping your format clean and readable is pivotal.
Contact Info First
Starting at the top, your resume should clearly list your name and contact details, ensuring casting directors can connect with you easily. This info could include your professional email (no emails like fatcatlover89@yahoo.com, please) your phone number, website, and union affiliation.
You can also choose to incorporate a smaller version of your headshot here as well. This helps casting directors to continue putting a face to a name later.
If you have a manager and/or agent, you should also list their names and contact info here as well. Some film actors also choose to list certain physical attributes: height, hair color, eye color, weight, and vocal range (for singers).
Highlighting Your Acting Experience
Next, catalog your acting credits, usually sorted in reverse chronological order (meaning most recent first). The acting credits section might include experienced roles in theater companies, student films, commercial credits, and any other acting job you've held. Separate these different genres of work into their own sections. Film should be listed differently from stage plays, etc.
In general, you'll want to list the character you played, the name of the project, and the name of the director. For some smaller film roles, a casting director may not know the significance of your role, so it may be helpful to list if it was a lead, supporting, day player, etc.
Detailing Your Education and Training
Following, there should be a section devoted to your education and training. Even if you have no "formal" acting training, detailing any master classes or workshops you've attended is helpful. You never know what connections you could make by including who you have learned from.
Skills and Special Talents to Include
Afterward, a brief yet intriguing section should highlight your special skills and unique abilities. This list could contain (but is not limited to):
- instruments you play
- second languages you speak
- sports/athletics you're proficient in
- if you have a driver's license and/or passport
- other performing abilities (singing, different dance styles, acrobatics, etc.)
- acting skills or niches (Shakespeare, improv, etc.)
- accents (Standard British, Southern, Midwestern, etc.)
- combat/stunt training (karate, weapons skills, etc.)
Your professional acting resume is a living document that evolves with your acting career. Update it frequently as you acquire more experience, skills, and knowledge.
Making Your Acting Resume Stand Out
Actors have to be nimble and willing to adapt to what the industry throws at them. Your acting resume should reflect this quality too.
The Importance of Headshots
Your resume and headshot go hand in hand in the acting industry. A high-quality headshot gives casting directors their first look at you. It’s your first impression, and it should be a lasting one. Always maintain accuracy and up-to-date physical attributes in your headshot. Remember to choose a photo that captures you authentically.
Personalizing Your Acting Resume for Different Roles
An accomplished actor knows the art of tailoring their resume according to a specific role. Feature roles first in your acting section that might make a larger impact than others. Perhaps you've worked with the director of this project previously before. Perhaps you have prior experience with the specific genre of the project you're auditioning for (period piece, horror, etc). Make sure to do the same in your skills section. If it's a musical, you want it easily known what your vocal range is and any instrument you play.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Acting Resume
Overloading with Too Much Information
A common mistake you might make when crafting your acting resume is overloading it with unnecessary details.
If you have a large amount of credits, avoid listing every little job you've done. Casting directors would prefer to see a smaller, stronger selection of your most compelling performances.
While education and training are essential, casting directors won't be interested in every workshop or master class you've attended. Include substantial training or workshops with industry-heavy hitters.
Keep your acting resume concise and dense with valuable information. Concentrate on the quality rather than quantity of details. And remember- your actor resume should always only be one page.
Underestimating the Power of Simplicity
Another common mistake is underestimating the power of simplicity in your acting resume. Casting directors appreciate clear, easy-to-read documents. A refined resume template, high in readability, will serve you better than overly elaborate designs.
Every actor's resume should contain only the necessary sections: contact details, acting credits, education and training, special skills, and, if applicable, union affiliation.
Tips for Updating and Maintaining Your Acting Resume
It's crucial to update and maintain your acting resume regularly. Accurately reflecting your acting career, featuring your most compelling performances and showcasing your unique skills will make the best lasting impression on casting directors.
When to Update Your Resume
Update your acting resume immediately after completing an acting role or classes and workshops.
Conclusion
Your acting resume is more than just a document; it's a powerful tool in your acting career. Keeping it professional and updated is essential in showcasing your skills, experience, and credits effectively.
Remember, simplicity is essential, and avoiding common mistakes can set you apart in the eyes of casting directors. It's not just about securing new roles; it's about making a solid first impression. Keep it polished and precise, and watch it work wonders for your career.
FAQ
What color should my acting resume be?
Apart from your headshot, you should only use black and white for your acting resume. If you have a small headshot in the top corner section, you can choose for the photo to either be color or black and white.
Where and when will I use my acting resume?
You should bring a printed copy of your acting resume (cut down to 8x10) along with an 8x10 headshot to any in-person audition. Staple your resume onto the back of your headshot. You may also upload it to casting sites like Actors Access, Backstage, and Casting Networks. If you maintain a professional acting website, keep an updated version of it there as well.
What programs can I use to make my actor resume?
Due to the simplicity of formatting needs, Word or Google Docs can be used to create your professional actor resume. Canva is a website that can offer customization features you might find appealing for resumes- just remember to not go too crazy with format flourishes.
No matter where you create it, only ever send or submit your actor resume as a PDF- never a Word document.
