The Famous Actor and Actress Started with a Resume

What Actor has Done the Most Movies? Could it be You in the Future?

What do you need to get into the performing arts? For starters, along with your 8x10 photo, your actor’s resume can be a powerful tool to help you get your next acting gig.

It is the calling card that you’ll leave behind with any potential producers, directors or casting agents that provides them with all your pertinent contact information, training and experience. This means you want your actor’s resume to always look professional. After all, isn’t that how you want to represent yourself?

At the top of your actor’s resume should be your name and contact information. This should be formatted into a banner type of headline. It is not necessary to include a home address but you want to make sure that whatever phone number or e-mail address you might use is current and working. You don’t want to miss that important call!

Along with your contact information at the top you might include any union affiliation or agent and management representation. These can go either directly under your name or in a column on either side. Below your name, list your physical attributes such as height, hair and eye color.

In the main body of your submission you should list your performing credits and experience. This can be done in three columns listing the title of the show then your role then the place or production company that produced the show.

Even if you are not a famous actor or actress, list the most movie and theatre credits you can list with specific roles you’ve played. For television you could either be a guest star, recurring or featured. You should also make the distinction between theatre and film by giving them separate categories.

Beneath your performing experience you should then list your training and education. This should be what is pertinent to your career. If you went to Columbia and majored in law it really wouldn’t matter on an actor’s resume. Although you can and should list any degree you earned.

Below the education section you should list any skills you might have such as being proficient in dialects, dance styles or any other athletic abilities like skateboarding or juggling. Keep in mind that you might be called upon right on the spot to perform any one of those abilities so you better know how!

Your actor’s resume should fit onto one page. Ideally this should be attached to the back of your photo either by staples or printed directly onto the paper stock. Don’t let a lack of experience stop you from building a resume.

Each credit has value but you shouldn’t fabricate roles because you never know who you might be auditioning for. And if you have new additions, don’t scribble them out with a pen. Make a quality update. As mentioned above, your actor’s resume is a representation of your professionalism. Don’t leave any room for doubt! Best of luck with your acting career.