Acting Resume

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Ok, you have your Headshots, you're ready to conquer the acting biz, now you need an Acting Resume.

Yes, headshots are what the casting directors need to see what you look like, but your resume is there to tell them what acting or modeling experience you have.

Having a strong resume is key in this business. A good acting resume answers any questions a casting direct may have about an actors ability to play a role.

Acting Experience

When you first start out, it's tough to gain experience in acting, producers are usually looking for people who have done prior work. Don't let that get you down, if you are a beginner, look for casting calls from schools that are filming short movies, Also, look for organizations in your area that offer people a chance to act in small productions, they'll let you join the production even if you have no experience. A great non-profit acting organization in Chicago is Splitpillow.

Back to the resume building, you don't really want to put Extra work on your resume. You want to have actual acting experience on your resume which establishes your credibility as an actor by listing your experience and training.

A typical acting resume should be 8X10 so it could fit perfectly behind your headshot. Try not to use glue or tape to attach the two, over time they will lose their stickiness and come apart. Instead, stapling the resume and headshot in all four corners should do the trick. Make sure that the two are always attached before going to an audition, the casting directors will be annoyed by you asking them for a stapler.

Always print your resume on higher thickness bonded paper. It will not fall apart or be torn easily while being tossed around several peoples' hands.

Information to Include on Your Resume

• Name
• Cell Phone Number or Agents Number
• Physical Characteristics
• Acting Unions if you are a member of any.

The information above should be located on the top of the page, the following should take up the bulk of your resume

• Any acting experience you have in film, television, or theater
• Your College Degree if its related to drama.
• Any acting training, classes, workshops, coaches.
• Any unique skills you have like, snowboarding, juggling.

Acting Resume Don'ts

Don't list your home phone number or address. You never know who will get a hold of your resume.

Don't lie about your experience or physical characteristics, it can ruin your chances to get work.

Don't list your age. You might be cast in roles for your specific age. You want to be cast by your appearance.

Don't list education or experience that is not related to acting.

Don't list previous jobs that have nothing to do with acting.

Don't make up special skills or write things down just so you fill in the special skill area.

Example Resumes

Example # 1 - Robert Peterson