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Building an Acting Résumé
by Sarah Bennett

The most important way to get your foot in the door of the next big acting role is to put together an outstanding acting résumé that will stand out from the rest. Casting directors and talent agents will all want to see a high quality, top of the range résumé, just as any employer would, and will expect just one page of good, tidy information about you and your experience.

A good idea to get your details seen by more people is to sign up with a casting web site such as Actingland.com. Here, you can add even more details. You aren't limited to a one-page profile and can add all of your good experiences and education. This way, anyone reading your résumé can access further information about you.

Just How Do You Put Together Your Acting Résumé?

Firstly, remember that your résumé should be of a standard format. Most actors will put together a résumé of a certain size. If yours is different and you may jeopardize your chances before a casting director or talent agent has even read through it. Even that this is not a strict rule as such, try to use this as a guide:

One page containing your details 8" x 10" (or 21.5cms x 25.5cms)
One headshot of the same size, or slightly smaller

Take time to put together a superb résumé whose goal is to profile you as a professional and detail all of your acting attributes, experience, education and physical description.

Add your name, professional affiliations or any committees you are a member of (leave this blank if this does not apply to you) to the top.

Then add a detailed description of yourself which may include your height, weight, hair color, eye color.

Include your singing ability or vocal range too - if you are not suitable for this role, you may be remembered for an alternative role so these parts are crucial. For a person that does not sing, you may add either 'alto' or 'baritone', which explains that you simply are not a singer.

Do not forget that you need to add your contact information, all telephone and mobile numbers that you can be contacted on, with answer machine if possible - add your email address and web site address. Do not add your personal address, instead list your post office box or perhaps just add the area (e.g. New York, USA).

Finally, add in your experience - add here any movies, television, commercial, or stage roles that you've taken part in (include the role that you took on and a brief description, too). Follow this by detailing any theatre training and education you have behind you or are currently involved in.

Ensuring you include all this relevant detail, will ensure your acting résumé looks neat and professional. It will be looked upon positively, giving you greater chance of success and more chance of being remembered for future roles.

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