Creating an actor's portfolio and resume is crucial for landing auditions and roles. It's your professional calling card, showcasing your best work and skills. A strong portfolio includes a killer headshot, demo reel, and well-crafted resume.

Your resume should be a one-pager highlighting your experience, training, and unique talents. Don't forget to include your union affiliations and special skills – they could be the edge that gets you noticed by casting directors.

Essential Portfolio Components

Visual and Digital Elements

• Headshot serves as the actor's visual introduction to casting directors
  • Professional, high-quality photo capturing the actor's current appearance
  • Usually 8x10 inches, color or black and white depending on industry standards
  • Should reflect the actor's type and marketable qualities (youthful, mature, edgy, etc.)
• Demo reel showcases the actor's on-camera work and abilities
  • Typically 1-3 minutes long, featuring the best clips from film, TV, or commercial work
  • Highlights versatility and range of acting skills
  • Can include self-taped scenes if professional footage is limited
• Digital portfolio expands the actor's online presence and accessibility
  • Website or online platform hosting all portfolio components
  • Includes additional photos, full-length demo reel, and contact information
  • May feature a blog or news section to showcase current projects and industry involvement

Written Documentation

• Resume format follows industry standards for clear presentation of an actor's experience
  • One-page document with clean, professional layout
  • Typically includes name, contact information, union affiliations, and agent details at the top
  • Organized into categories such as film, television, theater, and commercials
  • Lists roles in reverse chronological order within each category
• Credits section details the actor's performance history
  • Includes project title, role played, production company or theater, and year
  • Highlights most notable or recent work first
  • May include director's name for significant projects
  • Demonstrates the actor's experience and versatility across different mediums

Actor's Background Information

Professional Development and Affiliations

• Training showcases the actor's dedication to craft improvement
  • Lists formal education (degrees in theater or film)
  • Includes workshops, masterclasses, and ongoing scene study classes
  • Mentions notable instructors or institutions (Stella Adler Studio, Lee Strasberg Institute)
• Union affiliations indicate professional status and eligibility for certain roles
  • Membership in actors' unions (SAG-AFTRA, Actors' Equity Association)
  • May include union membership number or current status (e.g., SAG-Eligible)
  • Demonstrates commitment to industry standards and professionalism

Personal Attributes and Skills

• Special skills highlight unique abilities that set the actor apart
  • Includes languages spoken, accents mastered, and dialects
  • Lists physical abilities (dance styles, martial arts, sports proficiencies)
  • Mentions musical talents (instruments played, singing range)
  • Can include other marketable skills (improvisation, voiceover work, stunts)
• Physical characteristics provide casting directors with essential information
  • Height, weight, hair color, and eye color
  • Age range the actor can believably portray
  • Ethnicity or specific looks that may be relevant for casting
  • Any distinctive features that could be assets for certain roles (tattoos, unique hair)