The Problem with Actor Resumes

How to Write an Acting Resume That Will Get Their Attention

Feb 21, 2009 Sean Pratt

The primary reason for many of the mistakes on an actor's resume is the performer's deep-seated insecurity about the way the rest of the world views their profession.

It’s not very encouraging when you tell someone that you’re an actor, and they respond, “Oh really, and what restaurant do you work at?” Believe it or not, your need for validation causes you to make mistakes on your resumes. Here’s why…

The Top Ten Mistakes Actors Make on Their Resumes

With the exception of numbers 4, 6, 8 and 9, all these mistakes have their root cause in an actor’s need for validation.

  1. They overfill their resume.
  2. The print is too small and/or they use the wrong fonts.
  3. They use chronological listings.
  4. They print their resumes on 8½" X 11" paper, when their headshot is 8" X 10".
  5. They list roles they are too old/young to play.
  6. They have errors and misspellings.
  7. There is no focus to the resume.
  8. They put their Social Security number on the resume.
  9. They forget to put their contact information on their resume.
  10. They lie on their resume!

Reviewing the Relevant Mistakes

Don't Overfill the Resume

Because every job adds a bit more legitimacy to your career, you adopt the principle of, “More is better!” But remember, your resume is really designed to show people a selection of what you’ve done, who you are as a performer, and where you are going with your career. You don’t need 50 credits to tell that story.

The print is too small and/or they use the wrong fonts

This is the natural consequence of overfilling your resume. You may have a load of good credits, but after a while the quantity of them will reduce the quality of the resume. Also, that cool font you picked looks like Chinese!

They use chronological listings.

Business resumes are expected to be chronological, not yours. Also, you don’t get a gold star for having done six plays in one year. Put your best credits at the top of each category!

They list roles for which they are too old/young to play.

Yes, you should be proud of your work, but if you can’t play the role right now, take it off your resume; it’s taking up space.

There is no focus to the resume.

Because the credits are usually listed chronologically, crowded onto the resume, and kept there for too long, the whole thing becomes a wash of letters that is not effective in delivering a clear and concise message as to what you’ve done, who you are as a performer, and where you are going with your career.

They Lie on their resume!

No, I’m not talking about some whopper like you starred in Hamlet on Broadway. It’s those little lies you put on your resume; the ones that you hope will make you more appealing to the director or agent. Like saying you can ride a horse, when you can’t; saying you’re fluent in French, when you’re not; saying that you’re a certified actor combatant, when you only took a few stage combat classes. These will come back to haunt you.

So think about these things and then look over your resume again. Remember, your resume is designed to do one thing. To send a clear message about what you’ve done, who you are as a performer, and where you are going with your career.

For further reading about this topic go to – The Actor Stats Resume

The copyright of the article The Problem with Actor Resumes in Acting & Directing is owned by Sean Pratt. Permission to republish The Problem with Actor Resumes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Apr 13, 2009 4:52 PM
Guest :
It is very important for actors to keep their resume up to date. Try a service like starrup.com to get a resume you can update yourself.
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