One of the most underestimated and most powerful tools in a performer's arsenal is their cover or submission letter. Writing the perfect submission letter can be a very daunting and difficult task.


Should you be writing a hard sell letter or a soft sell letter? How formal or informal should you be? What really goes into a successful cover letter for casting directors and talent agents?

The answer is actually quite simple and can be customized to fit each potential role or interview. The perfect cover letter will contain no more than three paragraphs. The first paragraph is the introduction, or 'Why Me?' paragraph. The second paragraph is the work history or 'Meat & Potatoes' paragraph and the third is the wrap up and salutation. This paragraph is also known as 'Let's Get Together and Make it Happen' paragraph.

Your introductory paragraph should inform the recipient why you are contacting them and if relevant, who referred you to the casting agency. That's it! Fight the urge to include any other information in the introductory paragraph.

Now you come to the 'Meat & Potatoes' paragraph. This is where you will include all of your recent work history. I say recent because most casting directors or agencies are not interested in how well you performed in your grade three Christmas pageant. Only include two latest productions.

The closing or 'Make it Happen' paragraph is where you thank the recipient for reading your cover letter and resume and give them any excuse to call you back. This paragraph should be no more than three or four lines and always conclude with a thank you.

It may take you some time and many revisions until you are able to craft the perfect submission letter. Just remember to be concise and always make sure you have no spelling or grammatical errors and you should have no problems.

Cover Letter Examples

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Arthur Blume is an actor and short subject director and producer.
Copyright © Arthur Blume. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the author. Not to be reproduced or distributed.

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