What Should An Acting Resume Include For Beginners? - Modelfactory
- 06 Mar 2022
- Models
Putting together an acting CV or acting resume will be your first step after deciding to pursue a career in acting. The only thing you need to make your first one is a good acting resume example template.
In this article, we will take a look at sample acting resume templates and if you are a total beginner I will walk you through the process of creating an acting resume without any experience.
Learning how to create an acting resume isn't difficult, but it is important to do it the right way. Your acting CV will work for you the same way as any other type of CV that you did when applying for "regular jobs" in the past.
Unprofessional-looking acting CVs will cast you in a bad light to casting directors and agents who potentially want to work with you.
The thing about industry experts is that often they want to avoid working with amateurs. But even if you are a beginner, as long as you are able to demonstrate a good understanding of proper acting resume standards, you score a score.
1. What Is An Acting Resume?
If you've ever tried to apply for a job, any type of job, you probably know what a curriculum vitae (CV) is. Acting CV/Resume is exactly the same, only designed specifically for applying for jobs in film, television, stage and commercials as an actor.
Your acting CV is the first thing you are going to contribute to your acting startup kit. It's easy to put together and doesn't cost anything. Whether or not you have something to wear is an entirely different story, but remember: everyone starts somewhere.
An actor's resume is the second most important thing that acting agents, casting directors and other industry professionals will look at. The first thing they'll care about is your actor's headshots.
If you pass the first step of "what the actor's part looks like" based on your headshot that you can't do anything about (besides getting really good headshots), you should check your chances with a professional. Must try your best to strengthen acting resume.
While each actor's CV looks a little different and none of them are structured equally, there is a specific acting resume template that everyone follows. You can see a beginner acting resume example below.
2. What To Put On You Acting CV?
Here's what people in the industry are looking for on your acting resume:
- how experienced are you;
- What kind of acting training have you taken?
- your measurements and descriptions;
- Your Contact Information;
- Any specific/unique skills you have.
When you're just starting out in the business, your acting CV will appear a bit on the "white" side. Try and do your best to fill it with anything relevant. Think about all your skills, any small presentations you're involved with.
At this point you can also hold school plays and small acting workshops.
You might be reproducing your acting chops because there isn't enough "meat" and honestly, there probably isn't. However, sometimes, one of those things gets noticed by the agent or casting director, and you'll be called in for an audition.
That one thing can be anything, from your height to your ability to balance a pencil on your nose. Other times, they just want to see that you've experienced something, whether it's a school play or a student movie.
RELATED:How to Write a Cover Letter to Your Agent
3. Sample Acting Resume Example/Template
The way your acting CV is actually structured depends on your own preferences. For example, if you go to Google "acting CVs" and "images", you'll see that none of them are exactly the same, but they follow a certain pattern.
Here's a sequence of things you can use on your resume:
- Your professional (stage) name
- Union Affiliation and Agency (if any)
- Contact details, personal information and measurements
- credit, work experience
- Training
- any specific skills
- Always put the numbers 1-3 at the top in this order, and you can switch around 4-6 (but the way it's listed above is usually best).
UK Market Acting CV Template
On the right, you can use the US industry standard acting resume example. This type of acting resume template is the one I recommend because it's less complicated and easier for agents and scanning CDs to create.
Below is a UK market acting CV example structure, where they use a short headshot in the corner. Frankly, I don't see the point of including a headshot in the corner because you're sending your full size headshot with your acting CV anyway (they should be stapled together).
Ultimately, they both end up working in UK industry. In the US, only the US type of acting resume is acceptable; The UK version will appear strange to Agents and CDs.
4. How To Create An Acting Resume With No Experience
In terms of creating your first acting CV when you have no experience, there really is no shortcut. You just have to get experience - any kind.
Before You Start Working on Your Actor Resume, See If You Can Add
If that's you, start looking for acting opportunities that are accessible to amateur actors who may not even consider it their career option. The ones listed above are your best bet.
5. Things To Keep In Mind
Acting Resume Example Template First, remember that your acting resume can only be one A4 page. It should also fit snugly with your 8x10 headshot so you can staple them both together.
As an actor, you never leave your house without a batch of acting in your backpack or purse. You never know who you might run away with. Once you have the opportunity to hand them over, you will need your headshot as well, which is why you put the two of them together.
Once you become a more experienced actor, leave those credits with little value to pack everything into just one page.
Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid putting your date of birth and/or age on your acting CV.
No one absolutely needs to know how old you really are before they can cast you. You are as old as you appear to be in the public eye. About the reason behind this in a separate article.
Unless you're 18, if the casting director asks you about your age, your first answer should be: "How old do I look?" Whatever they say no matter how old you are. They have no business knowing your real age if you are an adult.
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