How does an actor's resume differ from a workforce resume?

Answer 1

An actor's resume differs in several subtle ways from a typical business resume. For the actor, do not include your address in the header, but only contact phone number(s) and email, along with a website URL if you have one (a very useful thing to have, by the way). Actors often do not include any personal phone nos. but only those of an answering service or agent.

Unlike a business resume, you should include personal stats on height, weight, color of hair and eyes. Some include their age range. (Illegal for business, essential for casting!)

The resume should be cut to 8 x 10 and attached to the back of an 8 x 10 headshot photo.

Finally, the body is typically divided into headings indicating the type of work, and three to four columns across: Title, Role, Where Performed (and sometimes Director).

Here is an example:

FILM

The Godfather - Vito - Paramount (dir. F. Coppola)

The Little Mermaid - Ariel - Disney

Singin' in the Rain - Don - MGM

TELEVISION

I Love Lucy - Ricky - CBS

Seinfeld - George - NBC

Scrubs - ER Doctor (Featured) - NBC

THEATRE

Hamlet - Guildenstern - Pasadena Playhouse

SPECIAL SKILLS

Juggling, folk guitar, British dialects

TRAINING

Actor's Studio, NY Scene Study, Acting Technique Yale School of Drama MFA Classical Theatre