It’s easy to overcomplicate an Acting CV. You might feel the need to try and be creative in the layout, or perhaps want to showcase every version of your headshot on the cover page. First impressions are vital and as a result you want your CV to be as clear and digestible as possible.
A good rule to follow with CV information is:
Would be happy to talk about it in an audition?
Would you be able to prove it/demonstrate it in an audition?
If the answer is yes to both, then you’re good to go!
What is a CV?
If you have ever tried to apply for a job of any kind then you probably know what a CV is. An Acting CV is the exact same thing, only tailored to applying specifically for jobs in film, television, stage and commercials. An Acting CV is probably the first thing you’re going to contribute to your acting career, because it’s easy and it costs nothing. Now whether you have something to put on it or you don’t is a whole different story.
What Are Casting Directors Looking For?
What you look like:
This will be achieved with a current and truthful headshot. Your headshot will often be the first time a casting director can see what you look like, so it’s important it showcases what they could expect to turn up in the audition room and promotes your uniqueness. We will discuss Headshots in more detail later in this post.
Your measurements and brief personal information:
This can include height, weight, eye colour, hair colour, and your playing age range (not your actual age). Also include details about your voice such as tone (e.g. husky), accents, and any second languages. DO NOT list accents you only have brief experience in playing. Accents listed should be educated and practised with a dialect coach. Equally list your native accent as it can be useful when casting for a specific sound.
What experience you have had:
Try to keep your experience as current as possible. Try to avoid mentioning something you participated in at school if it was years ago and not relevant to your current skillset. Group experience into categories of work, for example TV/Film, Commercial, Stage etc. Make sure you don’t include any credits you wouldn’t want to speak about in an audition, or any information that is there to pad out your CV.
What kind of acting training you’ve had:
Make sure to include all the relevant training you have. This should be anything related to performing including drama school, independent courses, stage combat etc. You may be viewed negatively if you don’t have a sufficient amount of training or relevant training for the role. If you update your training, such as complete a more recent stage combat course ensure the latest version and provider of this training is listed.
Large gaps in a CV can sometimes create more questions than answers. It’s a good reflection on someone’s character to see they are always enhancing their craft through jobs and training courses, gathering material for their showreel or learning a new technique for screen. Try to keep yourself busy between jobs so there’s obvious progression on your CV.
Any specific/unique skills that you have that will benefit a role:
If you have any unique or interesting skills then sometimes it can be useful to include these. These could be stage combat, horse riding, skateboarding, musical instruments, etc. When listing these unique skills, ensure you state how proficient you are. Don’t list skills you’ve only tried once. They should only be listed as a skill if they are one and you can complete them to a competent or professional level that’s of use to the role.
How do I Structure a CV?
Structure of a CV is important, you want to quickly highlight key areas and draw attention to specific credentials, skills and training that will be beneficial for the employer to know. There are many ways to structure a CV and these orders might change depending on the production or role you are going up for so don’t get comfortable with a layout. Keeping the CV to a page will be hugely beneficial as it will be easier to navigate and digest for those who are reading. Of course this comes with its difficulties when the list of credits and training are overwhelming, however ordering in relevance for the role will help isolate those skills and training that don’t need to be on a version of your CV.
Follow this template to get you started: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QCrpxutPJkBzVB3N2XNEzy-aylhE97_VOIhNLlPe1uA/edit
Biography
Unfortunately there isn’t much room to express yourself in a CV. The biography seems like an easy way to demonstrate your characteristic and show yourself as personable, but ultimately can lead to a paragraph of nothing.
As an actor you need to be able to condense yourself down to a few sentences, and provide the employability information within the work, training and specialised skills you have.
In the acting industry, cover letters and biographies are generally not standard in CVs. If requested, a cover letter should emphasise your suitability for the role rather than your desire for it. When emailing your CV, a brief, relevant note about yourself or your recent role is appropriate. Biographies should only be included if directly relevant to the desired role. Emphasise skills and credits over personal motivations. Keep information clear, concise, and focused on what casting directors need to know.
Headshots
Your headshot is like the logo of your personal brand. Typically, casting directors use headshots to help them decide whether applicants have the right “look” and charisma for a given role.You need to ensure you do your research and select the right ‘PROFESSIONAL’ Headshot photographer who knows the industry and understands what you are looking for. There are many providers out there so don’t rush, and best to go for reviews and recommendations from others in the industry.
Headshot Providers
https://www.yellowbellyphoto.com
https://johnclarkphotography.com/photos/
When getting headshots there are variations in looks and styles that you will want to achieve in a session with a photographer. These can be alternative themes alongside genres you typically play or alternative looks in personal style, different tones of makeup, styles of hair and facial hair. Avoid heavy make-up to disguise yourself.
When picking your final headshot, ask yourself these questions:
Do they show my range of playing ages?
Do they show my casting type?
Are they a true representation of me?
When selecting the headshot that goes on your CV this will depend on the production and role you are going up for. With multiple styles of headshots you can alternate them to best suit the role. The remainder can be showcased on other casting platforms such as spotlight to give the casting directors a broader view of how you look.
You need to be aware that your CV will always be changing as you develop as an actor.
- A change in look will require you to update headshots.
- A development in skills and training will need to be added.
- As your earn more credits, you will need to be on top of what you want to display and some might need to be taken off if it’s not relevant.
For a more friendly insight into what works and doesn’t work on CVs, check out our latest podcast episode:
