SAG-AFTRA

Spring 2013

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RÉSUMÉ ESSENTIALS FOR ACTORS The résumé is your first chance to make your pitch. It may be the headshot that draws the eye, but it's up to the résumé to showcase OUR EXPERTS SUGGEST: Keep the format simple. Make the font easy to read. your achievements and communicate your level of professionalism and Keep résumé to one page. experience. It's the substance of who you are as a performer. Avoid typos. We contacted CSA Casting Director Paul Weber, Theatrical Agent Tim Weissman (CESD Talent Agency), Adult Broadcast Agent Melissa McQueen (Kim Dawson Agency) and Casting Director Dan Shaner to ask them what they want to see — and not see — in actors' résumés. Your résumé should be structured with film at the top, then T V, theater, training and, at the bottom, special skills. OUR EXPERTS SAY: Keep your credits current. "On average most people spend approximately five to seven seconds looking at your résumé, so you want to make sure to highlight the important information." — Tim Weissman If you haven't done a lot of work, stress your training. "Being referred by a casting director, respected acting instructor or producer who has hired the talent" is a good way to present yourself in the best light if you have limited experience. — Melissa MCQueen "I don't like fancy layouts. Simple, easy to read, clean, straight-forward information is best. I don't need frilly text or colors or gimmicks." — Dan Shaner "Don't list extra work on your résumé unless you are a regional actor in a regional market. Producers shooting in your state like to know that you have worked on a set. But when you move to L.A. drop all of your extra credits. They won't help you here." — Paul Weber 38 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2013 | SAGAFTRA.org Leave off anything that is not directly relevant – and that includes your high school drama credits. Do not lie. It's easy to verify information, and if you get caught, you will ruin your reputation — and word can get around the industry quickly. … And finally, do mention you are a SAG-AFT RA member (however, you may not use the SAG-AFT RA logo).

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