"Resumes are a pain in my ass. Sorry, but I just don't think your resume should get you jobs. Of course, that's not how it is, but whatever. Someday I'll rule the world resume free. Put what you've done, try not to lie because God knows someone will call you out on the fact that you actually may not know how to do that Lithuanian accent you have listed under special skills, and give a good sampling of what you've done. I've found that keeping your good, larger roles on there is probably a little better than just showing that you work in bulk in small roles, but again that's me." -- Julie M.
"I noticed the last couple of auditions that the trend in NYC seems to be putting "Theatre" and "Educational Theatre" separately. Putting "Education" as a separate topic may take up more space if you need filler, but it automatically marks you as a new actor. I recommend putting your BA of BFA under "Training." If you have an MFA, then "Education" probably deserves its own heading. I have gotten good responses from listing some names under training -- an acting coach I used when I first got out here knew some people at a couple of auditions I attended, and they mentioned him when I auditioned. And actually, I did have an audition with someone who knew and mentioned Tom." -- Chris B.
"From the director's perspective.... After I see an audition I like (I rarely pay attention to the resume if the audition is bad), I take a look at the resume to see who the actor has worked with, what type of roles they've played and whether or not there's some consistency in their work. It helps me decide whether or not the type of work they do and the directors they work with are comparable to what I have to offer. It also helps me see whether or not theatres have asked them back for more than one role. Consistency is a good sign when looking for down-to-earth, hard-working actors. I love to see UMD on a resume. Special skills are helpful when I'm looking for something specific for a show (singers, dialect, dancers, etc.). But at the same time, you could have a resume from hell, but turn in a stellar audition and I'm casting you anyway." -- Malia L.
"I also think special skills have some value, both in terms of getting a part and in terms of getting them to remember you. I just got a call from a film that has some medical theme, and they called me specifically becaue I have "medical terminology" under special skills. I've also had someone ask to see some military drill and ceremony because I had it listed." -- Chris B.
"I think it's a RARE RARE RARE occasion when people actually give a resume a shake. Any jobs I got in Minneapolis and Seattle were based entirely on how I looked and worked with the camera. So my thought is: get yourself a decent, readable format for a resume going so that you can easily update it, but don't stress too much about it. Even when you start building up that all-important film experience, don't stress too much to get your resume updated because you are probably getting that experience because you ALREADY HAVE a decent agent. And because you LOOKED RIGHT. The one time somebody commented on my resume I was actually taken aback. So what I'm saying is it's really just a necessary evil. Don't, don't stress about it." Sam C.
"I have found that the most information you can fit onto your resume in a concise and easy to read way is best (and this isn't a contradiction in terms) So far in audition situations I've had people ask about or hire me for: Circus work, Dialects, Martial Arts, Guitar playing, Dancing, Stage Combat, and making a margarita (no joke!) So in my opinion put down anything that you can do that maybe the next guy or girl can't. I agree with Julie in that one should try to clean up their resume in relation to roles, keep a small number of lesser roles to show that you can do chorus in Music Man, but work in the bigger roles when you can. Now, this won't always hold true, you might also want to take into account the show (is it Shakespeare or that piece of crap show that you did right out of school), and the theatre co. (if their big and well known for doing good work keep it). It's also a good idea to put your alma mater somewhere, on your resume, it doesn't have to include your GPA or anything (God knows mine doesn't), but poeple will sometimes ask or know someone." -- Jamison H.
"My feelings on the resume stuff are largely influenced by something Tom told me; try and state your experience in the most favorable light (i.e. instead of saying you did a show at UMD you can call it the Marshall Performing Arts Center, or for any of you that do Renegade revues, put the whole ridiculous title instead of just x-mas show like i did). Since I made those changes i can't tell you how many more calls I've gotten. I agree with Sam and everyone that when you're at the audition, your look and your audition are a million times more important than the piece of paper on the back of your headshot, but to get you in the door with an agent/casting director, if you have a great pic, they're going to turn it over. They want to see that you're gorgeous (or you have the perfect look for what it is they're casting at the moment) AND trained." -- Angela S.
"Out here (LA) I've been hearing a lot more about putting a contact number of your own on your resume. I had a couple of casting Directors say that it's always a good idea to put something like your cell phone number on there in case something comes up where they need you yesterday, and it's 8:00 p.m. I had this happen too (I missed the call)." -- Jamison H.
"I disagree with Jamison's assessment that you should put your personal contact info on your resume. What you should do is ask your agent what is appropriate, since each agent may feel differently. For example, I was in my commercial agent's office about 3 weeks ago, and watched her throw away 200 headshots & resumes simply because they had personal contact info on them. She explaind to me (horrified as I looked) that she'd asked the person 3 times to remove that personal contact info, and he had not, and she wouldn't send them out as they were. So, clearly, each agent has different preferences." -- David N.
"I guess now that everyone's mentioning it, it's usually the theatre CD's that look at my resume--film and TV CD's don't really seem to care as much. I have my service number on my resume for a contact, and it seems to work fine. I, personally, don't mind printing my resume directly on the back of my lithos, since I can just crank them out for individual mailings and auditions. That way, I can still make corrections, and can still maximize my laziness...I mean, efficiency." Chris B.
"Another note: while it seems a good idea to put on your resume what a Casting Director says you should, you've got to make your agent your partner. If you wanna change your resume, talk with him/her about it, let him/her know why you are making the change, etc, and see how he/she feels. Ultimately, though he/she technically works for you, what the agent wants on your resume is what should be there, since, if it is not, that agent simply won't send it out, and then what is the point of being with said agent anyway? As I said, each Agent is different, and where Jamie's may well be cool with personal contact info, mine certainly is not." -- David N.
"One of the reasons Bonnie threw out those headshots (rather than removing the resumes) is becuase the resume was printed directly onto the back of the Lithograph. I think this is a bad idea in every case -- if your resume needs changing, that litho has become useless." -- David N.
"I completely agree with David in that you should always check with your agent before making any changes to your resume. I, personally use the same resume my agent uses. They formatted it how they wanted it with what shows/roles/films/tv they wanted and I go with that. UMD is listed (although I had one really big CD (think "The Grinch" tell me that because I look so young I should take my BFA off my resume because it gave away my age too readily....I ignored that advice. I have had people who have heard of UMD and have definietly received comments on my Irene Ryan info that is on there. I even had a casting director who recognized Tom's name out here in LA and she has called me in a few times to read for different things. My theatrical agent uses blue paper, my commercial agent uses white, I don't think it matters, it is your own taste. If colored paper makes you feel better go for it." -- Shannon N.
"I have found that if they are really good CDs who are genuinely interested in getting to know actors they always read my resume when I am in with them. Even the head of casting at Paramount wanted to discuss my resume and I got called in for an indie film audition once simply because I had played Rosemary in "How to Succeed..." and it was the CDs favorite show. Unfortunately many CDs don't really want to take time for the "get to know you" part of the day so they resume gets ignored at times too." -- Shannon N.
"I second the idea that, until the time of the audition, it seems the CD rarely reads a resume. I cannot tell you how many times I've come into an audition to a CD who says "my god, you are tall!" Sometimes, I've been sent home because of it, or it is implied that I may as well read, but I can't play the part because my gigantic proportions (recently, I was called in for a commercial to play the nerdy sidekick of a tough guy who was no taller than 5'7". The CD actually laughed when he saw us together). My height (6'2" -- tall indeed in Hollywood terms, tho not so in Chris Bolden terms) is right on my resume, prominently displayed right at the top, but no one ever notices it. I know some folks are going to say "god, don't put height on a resume!" again, this is in collaboration with my agent. I know that, mostly, girls don't do this, and often short guys do not. But, my agent felt is was a positive quality (despite some evidence to the contrary) and so it is included." -- David N.
"As far as content, I recommend a good smattering of roles. If you are just starting out in a city like Mpls and you have only lead roles on your resume so of the nicer theatres may not cast you/call you in for fear you may not accept smaller roles and you could miss out on some great door-opening opportunities. So, try to go for more of a good mix of shows and theatres that just listing all of your starring roles." -- Shannon N.
"I know that some of you have dilemmas over UMD Theatre vs. Marshall Performing Arts Center. This again I feel is taste. I really don't think it is going to effect the outcome of an audition one way or another if you played a certain role at UMD or MPAC. I personally use UMD theatre just because some of the roles I played in college would not be given to me out in the "real" world. I wanted to keep them on my resume because they are good shows, by great authors, that people recognize." -- Shannon N.
"I think that closes my opinions on resumes for what it is worth. Girls, don't put your age/weight/height it will limit what you get called in for, rely on your picture for that. Once you are with an agent the only info at the top is their letterhead and your name. So, if just starting out stick to name and contact information and union affiliations." -- Shannon N.