By: David Wooddell, Barbizon USA

An actor’s resume, along with a headshot, is an actor’s first introduction and a major selling point to casting directors. Your resume can showcase all of your on-set experience and training. You can also showcase your statistics, special skills and more. You may be saying to yourself “I don’t have any experience to list on my resume.” Don’t worry! Follow the tips below to create a professional resume for those of you just starting in the industry.

General Information On Resume Building For Actors

• Make sure your resume can fit an 8×10 paper size (you will need to cut it down to this size).
• You will neatly staple your headshot to the back of your resume in all 4 corners. DO NOT print your resume on the back of your headshot. Resumes are always changing.
• Use plain white typing paper only – no patterns or textures.
• You should never extend your resume to more than one sheet of paper.
• Keep it clean! Don’t use crazy fonts, colors or images.
• Keep each section bold.
• Never lie on your resume. You WILL be caught. The entertainment industry is a very small circle and someone will find out. Do not damage your reputation because of a “little white lie.”
• Standard Hollywood rule of thumb: do not put “extra roles” on your resume. This can harm your career.

 

Resume Header Information

• You must include your full name (stage name is acceptable as well).
• Your contact information or your representation’s contact information should be listed.
• If you have union affiliation, please list here. (SAG-AFTRA, AEA, etc.) You can view more information about union here.
• Be sure to include height, weight hair & eye color. ONLY LIST YOUR AGE IF YOU ARE UNDER 18.

 

Billing Information

In the industry, your “roles” or “credits” are considered billing. You’ll use this when listing your TV & Film experience. In each section of your resume, you’ll want to list your NEWEST & highest billed credits first. Remember – DO NOT LIST YOUR EXTRA WORK.

Example:

Credits are ranked from low to high: Under 5, Co-Star, Recurring Co-Star, Guest Star, Recurring Guest Star, Series Regular.

For theatre experience, you’ll list the name of the production, your character’s name, the theatre company & the location of your production. Generally, you do not have to list the director unless it’s a well-known director.

Example:

 

Training Information

Your next section to list is training. This will include any and all acting classes, workshops and additional training you’ve taken. You can list your Barbizon training, any competitions you’ve attended (and the workshops you’ve attended while at competition), college classes, etc.

Example:

Special Skills – You’ve All Got Them!

The final section to add is all about your special skills.

You can list anything from accents you do well to crazy stunts you can do. Check out more information on special skills here.

Looking to add Barbizon training to your acting resume? Schedule an audition.