Putting Together a Resume
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
So I recently just arrived to Hollywood looking to get involved in film production. I have a couple questions concerning how I draft my resume. When listing the things I’ve done, should I state whether it was SAG or not (since all my stuff has been non-SAG so far)? Also, I’ve done multiple things on individual projects (writer AND director AND editor, etc). How should I list those? For example, when I list the feature I wrote, directed, and produced, do I just say I did this and that and this, OR should I create a separate paragraph for each job? Should I have one paragraph that says Editor and then list all the editing projects I’ve ever done, then in the next paragraph, list all the projects I’ve directed? Please help.
THE ANSWER: This advice is strictly for those of you looking to get into the door in the entertainment industry as an assistant, junior development person, etc. This is not how you put together an actor’s resume.
The entertainment industry is competitive, and hard to get into. It’s all about “who you know” making it exceedingly hard to find work if you’re a newcomer. The way you will introduce yourself to prospective employers is through your resume so the time and focus that go into its preparation are key.
Make sure your resume is focused. Use very descriptive words that explain broad areas of expertise while targeting the exact qualifications you have, based on the job you are applying for. You can talk about your experience and background in more detail once you get the interview. The purpose of your resume is to get someone interested enough in you so that they call you in for the interview, not to land a job.
Use a functional resume if you need to cluster categories and focus on cumulative years of experience. I suggest that you when you list your filmography, you create separate categorized paragraphs for Director, Producer, Writer, Editor, etc. If you wrote, directed and produced a feature film, list the film under each category. Use bullet points to highlight relevant experience and anything that you want to draw attention to.
Use a chronological format if your experience is focused in a particular area, i.e. all directing or all writing jobs.
I don’t suggest you list whether your projects were SAG or not. Don’t offer any information that does not put you in the light you wish to be seen in.
This advice is for a very general resume for a below-the-line-person or someone just trying to get their foot in the door in the entertainment industry. If you are going out for a specific job, you may have to arrange and rethink your resume to suit that job’s needs.
For example, if you’re an actor trying to get a job as a secretary at a non-entertainment industry company in Hollywood, don’t tell them you’re an actor! Actors are notorious for missing work and calling in sick when they have an audition or a job and many companies will not hire you if they know you’re an actor.
If you’re a filmmaker trying to get a job on a desk as someone’s assistant, then your filmmaking experience will usually be an asset. In Hollywood, working on a desk is a stepping stone, a way many get their foot in the door with aspirations to one day enjoy a career as a successful writer, director, producer, agent or studio executive.
If you don’t want to separate out your experience on a functional resume, you can put FILMOGRAPHY and list your writer-director-producer credits underneath. Use bullet points to highlight important milestones or achievements.
The bottom line is, in order to market and sell yourself effectively through your resume, you have to focus on the job you’re applying for, what they’re looking for, and how your background and experience can meet their requirements. Don’t expect to use one general resume to apply for all jobs. Resumes should be tailor-made for each position you’re applying to.
Make sure you have a professional look over your resume before putting it out there. Your resume is what prospective employers are going to use to gauge your talent so you want to be certain it is representing your in the best light.
I could spend hours talking about resumes but I hope this gives you the broad strokes in a nutshell. If you have any additional questions on resumes, feel free to reply to this email and ask away.
To your success,
TANYA KERSEY
THE ANSWER: This advice is strictly for those of you looking to get into the door in the entertainment industry as an assistant, junior development person, etc. This is not how you put together an actor’s resume.
The entertainment industry is competitive, and hard to get into. It’s all about “who you know” making it exceedingly hard to find work if you’re a newcomer. The way you will introduce yourself to prospective employers is through your resume so the time and focus that go into its preparation are key.
Make sure your resume is focused. Use very descriptive words that explain broad areas of expertise while targeting the exact qualifications you have, based on the job you are applying for. You can talk about your experience and background in more detail once you get the interview. The purpose of your resume is to get someone interested enough in you so that they call you in for the interview, not to land a job.
Use a functional resume if you need to cluster categories and focus on cumulative years of experience. I suggest that you when you list your filmography, you create separate categorized paragraphs for Director, Producer, Writer, Editor, etc. If you wrote, directed and produced a feature film, list the film under each category. Use bullet points to highlight relevant experience and anything that you want to draw attention to.
Use a chronological format if your experience is focused in a particular area, i.e. all directing or all writing jobs.
I don’t suggest you list whether your projects were SAG or not. Don’t offer any information that does not put you in the light you wish to be seen in.
This advice is for a very general resume for a below-the-line-person or someone just trying to get their foot in the door in the entertainment industry. If you are going out for a specific job, you may have to arrange and rethink your resume to suit that job’s needs.
For example, if you’re an actor trying to get a job as a secretary at a non-entertainment industry company in Hollywood, don’t tell them you’re an actor! Actors are notorious for missing work and calling in sick when they have an audition or a job and many companies will not hire you if they know you’re an actor.
If you’re a filmmaker trying to get a job on a desk as someone’s assistant, then your filmmaking experience will usually be an asset. In Hollywood, working on a desk is a stepping stone, a way many get their foot in the door with aspirations to one day enjoy a career as a successful writer, director, producer, agent or studio executive.
If you don’t want to separate out your experience on a functional resume, you can put FILMOGRAPHY and list your writer-director-producer credits underneath. Use bullet points to highlight important milestones or achievements.
The bottom line is, in order to market and sell yourself effectively through your resume, you have to focus on the job you’re applying for, what they’re looking for, and how your background and experience can meet their requirements. Don’t expect to use one general resume to apply for all jobs. Resumes should be tailor-made for each position you’re applying to.
Make sure you have a professional look over your resume before putting it out there. Your resume is what prospective employers are going to use to gauge your talent so you want to be certain it is representing your in the best light.
I could spend hours talking about resumes but I hope this gives you the broad strokes in a nutshell. If you have any additional questions on resumes, feel free to reply to this email and ask away.
To your success,
TANYA KERSEY
