Ana Said:

Acting Resume Cover Letter?

We Answered:

You want to keep your coverletter CONCISE! Some of the top agents (KSR, Abrams, CESD,etc.) admit to hardly reading or NEVER reading it.

Here are some tips and ALL you need to say for a Coverletter:
-You want to address it to the SPECIFIC AGENT HEAD of the division you're interested in. It makes the letter personable and doesn't lead the agent to think that your letter was one of hundreds.

-Don't give your age in the coverletter. You might appear younger or maybe older when you meet with them and they might see you differently from your headshots. You give your age when they ask while actually meeting with them. This is for legal purposes ie. You can't do ANY alcohol related commercials if you're NOT at least 25. And if you're 18, a parent or legal guardian HAS to be on set and you CAN'T work normal hours.

-Don't list past agencies that you've worked with. You don't know the relationship between that agent and the current agency you're applying to. They might hate eachother.

-Don't talk about stuff that's already on your resume. It's cliche.

-Don't describe yourself in adjectives "hardworking, determined, polite, friendly, etc." It's CLICHE!

Here's all you need to say

Dear (Specific agent's name),

Hello my name is (your name) and I am currently seeking (insert either commercial or theatrical depending on the addressed agent) representation. Please find enclosed my picture and resume for your consideration. I look forward to meeting you soon! Thank you.

Sincerely,
(sign your name here with a BLUE Ballpoint pen so it's more personal)
Your name (Typed)
(xxx)XXX-XXXX
(Email address)

P.S. I can turn myself into a pretzel with my mad gymnastic skills! (Put something quirky/creative and TRUE about yourself to make this concise letter stand out.)

RESUME:
Here's the standard LA format. In NY, it's usually the same but with Theatre being higher up than Film/TV. ALWAYS list credits in a THREE column format! (/ denotes column breaks):

At the top and centered:
Name (Centered and is largest in font size)
Union affiliation (if any)
CELL Phone Number
Email

Far Left side below the top and centered stuff:
Height
Weight
Hair color
Eye color

Right side opposite of statistics:
Agent logo with contact info (sometimes if you have an agent, you can remove your own cell phone and email address. Then weirdos that find your stuff in the dumpster can contact them instead of you)

Film
Title/(Lead, supporting, featured)/Director

Television
Title/(Lead, guest star, co-star, regular, featured)/Network

Theatre
Title/Specific character played/Production company or director depending on who is more prestigious.

Commericials
ALWAYS put "List available upon request!" Do keep a separate list of the commercials with the Casting directors involved in case an agent asks.

Training
Skill learned/School or teacher/Location (LA, NY?)

Special Skills/Abilities
Be creative with this. When I was starting out and interviewing with agencies, they would usually go straight there and talk about my special talents and even had me demonstrate some of them

DON'T:
-Put extra work
-Put Modeling/Print gigs. You make a separate resume for that.
-Lie
-Put age. If an agent asks you when you meet with him or her, then tell the truth. It's for legal reasons. ie. Under 18 can't work normal hours or you have to be at least 25 to do a beer commercial.
-Put your home phone number or address unless you want weirdos coming to your house.
-Put dates. It ages you!
-Handwrite it. ALWAYS TYPED!
-Hand it in separate from your headshot! Always staple to and NEATLY cut to fit the back of the headshot.

If you don't have too many credits or none at all, have a lot of training. That will show that you're still serious. Also be creative with your special skills and abilities. Put quirky/silly things that you CAN actually do whether it's touching your tongue with your nose, tying a cherry stem with your tongue, or crossing your eyes, etc.