Guide To Becoming An Actor: #2 How To Make An Actor's Resume

As somebody who is new to the acting industry, I searched online to find out exactly how to do an acting resume. I thought it would be easy but the more I searched the more I realised how some acting resumes looked different to others. I even took an online course to give me guidance but instead became even more confused. It appeared that there are some differences between a UK acting resume and an USA one.

Whether you are from the UK or USA, this blog is going to walk you through exactly how to make an acting resume. I will guide you step by step.

Step 1: Top Section of Acting Resume

To begin you will need to use either a Word document or docs.google.com. Once you have created a blank document, follow the steps below (you can only use one page for your acting resume):

1. Choose your preferred font, I have used the Verdana font for my acting resume.

2. In the UK there is a requirement to add a headshot on the actual resume. You can either add it on the right or left side of resume. You will also need to add a larger headshot to the back of the resume or you can attach it by stapling it.

3. Add your Name or Stage Name

4. Add "Non-Union" or your Union, such as "Equity" for UK and "SAG-AFTRA" for USA

5. Include your Agents phone number or your own if you don't have an agent.

6. Include your email address. A Professional email is best but if you don't have one of those then a suitable Gmail email address is fine, such as yourname.actor@gmail.com

7. Add "Self-Represented" or your Agents Name.

8. Then add a few spaces down your height, weight, eye colour and hair colour.

Step 2: Film Credits

Take note: begin with your best credits, whether that be film, television, stage, commercials or web series.

When filling out your film credits, you need to list them in this particular format:

Project/Film Name -- Role -- Venue | Company / Director

I have given a couple of examples in the image above (you can expand and download these images). List by Role type and mention the venue, e.g. Ashton College when it's a Student film. There are four types of film roles:

• Lead: The main characters - They appear in most scenes.

• Supporting: They play a speaking role that's important to the storyline. Having one or more scenes but are not the lead characters.

• Principal: A speaking role without getting too specific about the actor's character. This type has been used for non-contracted actors who have five or more lines.

• Featured: The actor has one scenes with one or more lines; not big enough to be a supporting role.

Step 3: Television Credits

When filling out your Television credits, you need to list them in this particular format:

TV Show/Series Name -- Role -- Production Company / Director

For example:

The Lazy Women -- Co-star -- BBC/John Doe

List by role type and include the Production Company name and Director's name. There are four type of television roles:

• Co-star: The actor appears in one of the episodes as a guest. There character is not central to that episode storyline.

• Guest Star: The actor appears in one of the episodes as a guest. There character storyline is central to that episode.

• Series Regular: Has a contract with the TV show where they get paid regardless of whether they appear in the show every week or not.

• Recurring: In a multiple of episodes the actor will return as the same character.

Step 4: Web Series

Web Series are your projects that you shoot with your friends or within acting classes. You film, edit and put them up on YouTube, Instagram or Facebook. Independent films that don't go to a major network. Use role types similar to Television.

When filling out your Web Series credits, you need to list them in this particular format:

Web Series -- Role -- Director

For Example:

The Red Hub -- Guest Star -- Dina Canns

Step 5: Theatre/Stage Credits

When filling out your Theatre/Stage credits, you need to list them in one of these particular formats, depending on your location:

For USA:

Theatre

Show Title -- Role -- Venue | Theatre Company / Director

For UK:

Stage

Production -- Role -- Theatre Company and/or Venue

See image for examples. Just a slight difference between USA and UK acting resumes.

Step 6: Commercial Credits

In the USA it is recommended that you don't list the commercials on your acting resume to avoid mentioning past projects you've done with products that may come into conflict with the product/production company that you are auditioning for.

For example:

List Upon Request

If you need credits to fill space in your resume, you can list your commercials with the ad agency, role and production company / Director. This will avoid the product being revealed.

For example:

ABBSNJ -- Daughter -- Silk Stream Media / Amanda Hayes

In the UK you would use this format:

Commercial Title -- Role -- Production Company/Director

For Example:

'ProGym Sports' -- Lead -- Sunshine Media / John Dice

Step 7: Education & Training

Education and training should take up no more than 1/3 of your resume. Don't put any dates on your resume as this will give away your age.

Use this format for Education & Training:

Name of Education/Training -- Venue -- Tutor

For example:

Acting 101 -- Acting Studio London -- Gillian Moss

Step 8: Special Skills

Actors are expected to include "Special Skills" at the bottom of their resume, which include a list of any skills and abilities that could come in hand for a role. I do recommend that you keep developing your skill so you can add to it, especially if your lacking in skills for the types of roles you would like to go for.

List of Special Skill Categories:

• Sports/Dance/Musical Instruments/Singing

• Accents/Languages

• Miscellaneous/Conversation Starter (share something about yourself that is unusual and a great conversation starter)

Here are some examples of the type of skills: Foreign languages, Stage combat, gun handling, Gymnastics, martial arts, cheerleading, fencing, skiing, Stand up or improv.

Here is an example of how you can write it:

Yoga, Kickboxing, Martial Arts, Advanced Modern Dance, Intermediate Violin, British, Cockney, gun handling, owner of 100 China Dolls.

Step 9: Non Acting/Industry Related Jobs

Related Experience section can be added if you don't have much experience. Any non-acting/Industry related jobs can be included in this section, such as directing, stage management, print work, extra work and other non-acting theatre jobs. Once you get more experience, you can remove this section.

Step 10: Save & Upload Your Resume To Your Website

Once you have finished making your Acting Resume, add your full page Headshot to the next page, save it as a PDF file or Word Document. Check for any spelling mistakes. Upload to your website. You can print out some copies too, ready for those moments when you may need them. If you do print them off, make sure to staple the Resume and Headshot together.