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Resume tips for actors

Question:

Way to clean up: Firstly, a) I read somewhere that it was considered standard procedure that up to   25% of the resume was a lie.   I don’t have lies on my resume, and thus always felt at a disadvantage.

You were, for the first job :) b) I have never seen a European resume with a person’s WEIGHT on it –   just clothes size, which pretty much says it all. Plus, weight   fluctuates…

Sizes really should only be if you want to do extra work, so they can wardrobe you quickly (hey, some people make a nice living at it). I keep them off mine. c) Special skills – I saw an online resume where the actress listed   "computer experience" as one of her skills.   I mean, well, like – duh….   Would any of you really list that?

If I knew the project dealt with computers and might involve moderately complex technical language, yes, I’d want them to know I’ve worked with computers since the 70s. It may not make that big a difference, but it couldn’t hurt. d) Does anyone list what they CAN’T do? For example, I’d have to list   "can drive a car but don’t have a driving licence – only a learners   permit" – so if they are making this road movie out in the desert,   I’d be fine, but if I had to drive round the block in a big city,   it’d have to be in one of those destructive action movies where the   cars drive into heaps of boxes in smelly alleys or waggon-loads of   water-melons…

In that case, leave it off. They’d hire stunt drivers anyway. They wouldn’t trust you to wreck the car the right way :) Tao te Carl "It takes a village to have an idiot." – Carl (c) 2003

Response:

I found this on the net somewhere, and thought I’d post it here… " The second part of an actor’s marketing arsenal is his acting resume. This should be attached to the actor’s headshot. Go through the following checklist and make sure your acting resume makes the grade. 1. Is the resume firmly attached to the headshot? I have lost track of the number of times I’m left with a headshot and no resume because the resume has become detached. (This is why your name should be printed on your headshot. See Headshot Check-Up for details.) I would avoid using any type of paste or glue to attach your headshot since it can penetrate your headshot over time. Instead staple your resume to your headshot at the two top corners or even at all four corners. I’ve also seen resumes printed right on the back of headshots. 2. Is the resume cut to fit the headshot? Headshots are 8 x 10. Standard paper is 81/2 x 11. Unless you want the edges of your resume to be seen when I’m looking at your headshot you have to trim your printed resume to 8 x10. Professionals use a paper cutter and not scissors. There should be a paper cutter at your local copy center that you can use. 3. Have you turned 18 years old and still list your age? You only need to put your age on the resume if you’re under 18 years old. 4. Are your credits listed in the proper format? Credits should be separated into categories: film, tv, theatre. For each category, list the title of the piece, the role you played, and the production company or director. Be prepared to answer questions about any role you played. And for heaven’s sake don’t lie! I promise you that eventually you’ll be found out. Be proud of what you’ve done and what you can do. Don’t make up stories. 5. Have you listed all your training? You may not have a lot of credits yet but certainly you’ve received training. Include training at colleges, acting schools, seminars, private coaching, voice lessons, dance lessons, etc. Training is important to agents and casting directors reviewing your resume. 6. Have you brainstormed enough special skills? Your special skills listing can help to make you memorable and perhaps even land you a job! Not everyone can juggle or drive stick shift or skateboard! List all the special skills you can. Have you considered sports you play, hobbies you like, machinery you can operate, artistic talents and musical talents? Just make sure you can actually DO (proficiently!) whatever it is you are listing. 7. Is your contact information at the top of the resume? Your agent’s contact information should be at the top of the resume. If you do not have an agent, then you can place your personal contact information there. If possible, include a cellular or pager number where you can be easily reached. 8. Are your statistics accurate? Usually height, weight, hair color and eye color are included on the resume. Don’t fudge these numbers! If you’re 5′6"; you can’t put 5′8" on your resume. Make sure your statistics are accurate. 9. Are you listing extra work? Don’t! Don’t list any extra work on your resume. (Sorry:I know you want to list it, especially if it’s all you’ve done.) Agents and casting directors don’t want to see it. You may be able to get it on your resume by listing the actual role you played: waitress, police officer, orderly. It’s a stretch but some people still do it. 10. Are you listing individual commercials? The industry standard for commercials is a statement: "Conflicts upon request." OR "List available upon request." (I know: you want to list your commercials too!) Unfortunately, we don’t list individual commercials on the acting resume. Copyright Mary Iero 2001. All rights reserved. Mary Iero is an independent speaker, writer, and acting coach. She resides in northeast Ohio and is available for lectures and seminars throughout the US. Please visit her website at " Firstly, a) I read somewhere that it was considered standard procedure that up to    25% of the resume was a lie.    I don’t have lies on my resume, and thus always felt at a disadvantage. b) I have never seen a European resume with a person’s WEIGHT on it –    just clothes size, which pretty much says it all. Plus, weight    fluctuates… c) Special skills – I saw an online resume where the actress listed    "computer experience" as one of her skills.    I mean, well, like – duh….    Would any of you really list that? d) Does anyone list what they CAN’T do? For example, I’d have to list    "can drive a car but don’t have a driving licence – only a learners    permit" – so if they are making this road movie out in the desert,    I’d be fine, but if I had to drive round the block in a big city,    it’d have to be in one of those destructive action movies where the    cars drive into heaps of boxes in smelly alleys or waggon-loads of    water-melons… Roundtable http://roundtable.iwarp.com http://villakreuzbuch.s5.com

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