If you want to be taken seriously in the film and television industry then you have to present as a professional. As an actor this means having the best possible head shot, an industry standard resume and a show reel.
There are numerous Australian web sites with industry standard resume templates. As a general guide to layout, your name should appear at the top of your resume in bold type and larger text than the information below. Beneath your name list your Contact Details: Postal Address; Telephone numbers (home/work and mobile); email address. If you have an agent, then ideally your resume should be on one of their letterheads, failing that, add your Agent’s name or the Agency’s name after your email address.
Beneath your contact details add your Physical Details/Measurements: Height; Weight; Eye Colour; Hair Colour; Complexion; Ethnicity (if applicable); Chest; Waist; Hips; Shirt/Blouse Size; Trouser/Skirt Size; Shoe Size; Hat Size.
It’s amazing how many actors don’t know their hat size. A resume with your hat size included instantly impresses most casting directors. If you don’t know your hat size, check out www.hatworld.com.au
Ensure that your measurements are up to date and accurate. The wardrobe department won’t be impressed if the costume they supply doesn’t fit.
Under Experience, list your acting work, from the most recent job descending to the oldest.
Across the page, add, for example…
Smart Phone TVC 2011 100%
Underbelly 3 2010 Small Dialogue Role (Night Club Doorman)
And so on.
For television commercials, 100% means a fully featured speaking role.
Under Training, list the acting schools attended, the year(s) and the classes/courses completed.
Next add Special Skills: (If applicable. For example) Helicopter Pilot; Licensed Corporate Chauffeur; Ride Motorcycles; Extreme Snow Boarding.
Then add Hobbies and Interests. For example, Surfing (Long Board, Short Board, Body Board, Body Surfing); Archery; Motor Cycle Riding; Tennis; Basketball; AFL; Snow Boarding; Skiing… And so on.
If you decide to add Career Objective, then don’t state the obvious, such as, “I’d like to play the lead in an Australian drama series and then hopefully play the lead in a feature film.”
You’re an actor. Of course you would!
If you have to add Career Objective to your resume, then something along the lines of, “I want to continue my on-camera training and gain as much professional on-set experience as possible so I can broaden my skills and grow as an actor” is more interesting and most importantly, it shows the casting director and the people who matter that you are serious about your craft and are committed to learning and growing as a performer.
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