A resume format for actors seeking work in cinema, television, theater, or other acting mediums is known as an acting resume. An acting résumé must fit on a single sheet of paper and usually contains the actor’s headshot. Your actor CV, more than your headshot, is what shows casting directors how serious you are about your job. A badly structured acting résumé is like a lousy soap opera in that it never makes it to the second season, aka another audition. Aim for the top of the resume game, not the second tier. By using a well-known resume layout, such as the reverse-chronological format, you’ll be able to showcase your previous achievements in the best possible light. In this article you will get to learn more about an Acting Resume, read more below to understand and learn more about it: 

36+ Sample Acting Resumes

Acting Resumes: What Are They?

Living your dreams in Broadway, Tinseltown, or even just in a small theater in your locale, acting resumes will do the job in paving the way for your ambition. An acting resume is a key document needed by talents who want to land jobs in theater, television, film, and other media. Opposed to typical resumes, acting resumes are attached to the back of a headshot and are only a single sheet of paper. 

Proper formatting is important because a badly formatted resume is like auditioning in person; you cannot make it to the cut. In an article by Career Explorer, it has been said that there are approximately 63,800 actors in the U.S.A. The market will relatively increase by 11.6% from 2016 to 2026. Acting is evidently a highly competitive profession. If you want to succeed, you need to know the nuts and bolts of the industry. Knowing how to create a professional resume won’t hurt either!

Components of an Acting Resume

Knowing the elements of a basic acting resume is a good head start in pursuing a career in the limelight. Mention these items that will make any busy casting director consider you for a part: 

Physical Characteristics: Apart from a stellar acting skill, it’s undeniable that acting is so much about physical appearance. Include descriptions of your physical attributes, and put this information at the top of your resume. Updated Contact Details: The contact details are apparently an important part of the resume because agents cannot reach you if your contact information is wrong or outdated. Include a professional email address, also. Past Work Experience: Regardless of the role you’re coveting, include your previous acting experience. Be specific in pointing out which experiences were for TV roles, theater, or film productions. If you have little professional acting experience under your belt, state what you can offer instead, and do not fake your document just to appear good. Affiliations: Include in your resume any memberships you’ve had in acting unions. This is a reflection of your dedication to the craft. It also shows the degree of seriousness you have for your career. Role Types: Be specific with your role choices whether you want to be cast as a lead actor or a supporting actress. Indicate in your document if you are filling in a non-speaking or speaking role, also.Training: Mention the acting boot camps or workshops you have attended. List the names of the studios as well as the coaches, and specify the production disciplines they taught you. Education: If you have formally studied acting in an institute or university, this section is a special place for that. Only include classes and training related to acting. Headshot: Acting resumes are placed at the back of the headshot. In the resume, hiring managers can read a description of your appearance, but the headshot is really the real deal. It is necessary to update the headshot because your appearance on it should be the same look you have once you audition in the flesh.

How to Make an Acting Resume

An acting CV together with an actor’s headshot serves as an actor’s business card or calling card. The curriculum vitae isn’t only a piece of paper that will flaunt the actor’s past work experiences, but its purpose is to present the educational background as well as the acting classes taken by the actor. Special skills and physical statistics are included, also. Here are helpful guidelines for creating a film actor resume or even a voice actor resume you can make use of.

Step 1: Associate Your Resume to the Role

First, be certain that your resume is suitable for the role you’re applying for. If you’re auditioning for a stage acting role, relate your resume to it by including your stage acting experience. Don’t forget to add skills and relevant training appropriate for the position. The same thing applies when you audition for a TV series role.

Step 2: Add Your Contact Details

Next, format your contact information with your complete name, the role you’re aiming for, updated phone number, and email address. Below your details, include the full name and contact details of your agent if you have one. As for your personal information, never indicate your age unless you’re below 18 years old. You may also include the following details:

Step 3: Lay Out Your Summary and Resume Objective

Then, the summary or resume objective comes after you list down the basic details. If you’re a novice actor, emphasize the role you’re auditioning for by adding a resume objective. Mention your intention of using that specific skill for the job and how you can maximize it. Pen a resume summary to show off your accomplishments, track record, and skill sets if you’re a seasoned thespian.

Step 4: Mention Your Physical Attributes

It is necessary to include your physical characteristics. State your weight, height, eye color, clothing size, and hair if these are worth mentioning in the role you’re auditioning for but don’t forget to update your resume if any of those characteristics change.. Once physical characteristics are highlighted in a resume, it will be easier for a casting director to choose the actor who’s suitable for the role. One notable distinction between an acting resume and those for other professions is that the latter almost never includes information regarding the candidate’s appearance. However, a crucial aspect of acting is the actor’s physical appearance.

Step 5: Enumerate Acting Roles in a Reverse-Chronological Order

List your acting experience in reverse-chronological order, beginning with the most recent one. You can include a decade of your previous acting experience, especially if you have a long-lived role in a long-running musical theater production or TV series. If you’re just starting out in acting, you can list down the roles in any professional stage acting experience or theater projects in your local community. However, do not mention the dates of your past work experiences in your theatre acting resume, for instance.

Step 6: Mention Your Training and Educational Background

Include your acting training and educational attainment regardless of your professional acting experience. Specify the name of your school, your degree, and the date you graduated. You can also add professional certifications, and if you have any training in stunts, theater, or any training in performing arts, you can include them as well. Make sure to give emphasis on this part.

Step 7: Emphasize Your Special Skills

Add special talents and skills that give you an edge over other candidates. Highlight in your resume for acting any unique skills like performing stunts or any skill that sets you apart from them. The more versatile and highly skilled you are, the more chances you have for getting the most coveted role.

Step 8: Include Accomplishments and Awards

Mention your acting accolades in your resume. This will prompt hiring managers and casting directors to hire someone like you who had notable acting achievements. It is solid proof that you have the skills, talent, passion, and dedication to your craft that will make professionals want to collaborate with you.

Step 9: Mention Prominent Directors as References

Include the names of notable directors in the reference section of your resume. See to it that he or she is well-known in the industry. If you were a part of a film or stage play that has gained wide attention or garnered accolades, and it was directed by a reputable director who’s internationally known, list him down on your CV.

Step 10: Attach Your CV to the Back of the Headshot

Lastly, edit your resume to be sure it’s error-free and professional-looking. After proofreading, print it down and attach it to the back of the headshot.

FAQs

Why is membership a vital component in an acting resume?

Membership in acting organizations is mostly all about connections. Establish ties with people who can give you a leg up in the industry.

What is the most important reminder in crafting an acting resume?

Never lie. Do not fake any information just to get a role. They can always do a background check on you to verify the credibility of your document; moreover, your resume is a reflection of yourself. It makes or breaks your integrity.

What are other basics in acting resume writing?

Avoid using crazy fonts. Use fonts that are readable and professional-looking. Furthermore, do not leave out any important information because it can have a negative effect on your job hunt. A good acting resume example is the one that has complete data.

An acting profile helps an actor get his foot in the door. Even a novice actor shouldn’t worry because writing an acting resume is easy-breezy. Browse through our wide selection of acting resume templates you can download anytime. Our sample theatre resumes are your guide to drafting an impressive resume you can hand off to a casting director.