So you've been googling things like "acting resume template free" or "acting resume" and you've come up empty handed.
The acting resume template downloads you've found either require special software or are in PDF format so you have to rebuild them from scratch! It's kind of ridiculous. That's why on this page, you'll get 3 completely free actor cv templates that can be opened with Google Docs. You can open them on any device (including mobile) and won't need to worry about alignment, formatting, or anything else. Here are the free example acting resumes I'm including:
Example Acting ResumeLet's start by taking a quick look at a good example acting resume: Besides the formatting and how it's broken up into categories, there are a few key things to take note of:
Related: Acting Resume: The Ultimate Guide
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Why it's bad: The background should be white. Do NOT use a color for the background or you'll look like a brand new actor who just downloaded a fun template from some random resume site.
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Why it's bad: OK, we already know the background should have been white. But the vertical formatting of the resume is not at all industry-standard. Every section should be going down the page horizontally.
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Why it's bad: Well, at least we've got a white background and the formatting is horizontal, so it's not THAT bad... But the problem here is that there are WAY too many categories! It makes it really hard to read and separate things. Plus, the alignment of each production is tabulated the same as the major categories, which makes it harder to skim.
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Why it's bad: OK, so the categories are easier to see, but there should not be any random yellow highlighted parts! The bright yellow is unprofessional and distracting, and gives off the impression that it was a free template downloaded from an online site, which screams "new actor."
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Why it's bad: OK, so this resume is actually not too bad. It's easy to read and get a sense of the actor's training, etc., but again, the formatting is incorrect. It should be aligned horizontally and not separated into two columns. Stay away from two columns – casting directors will never take those resumes seriously!
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Why it's bad: This resume is much closer to industry standard, BUT... there is WAY too much white space. It looks like a brand new actor who's just getting started. It's much better to use a professional template (you'll see them shortly) than to use something that looks so empty/sparse.
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An Unprofessional Resume Can Cost You WAY More Than You Think.
Casting directors need a fast way to narrow down THOUSANDS of (yes, literally over 3,000) submissions they get for every role they post:
That's why a professionally-formatted resume is so important! |
Example Acting Resume: Three Professional Templates
Now, without further ado, I'd like to present my three highly professional free Google Docs actor resume templates that WILL be taken seriously by casting directors.
Click the button below to receive all three, instantly. You'll get a standard resume, a resume for actors without representation, AND an acting resume template for beginners.
You can modify them however you like, changing the fonts, pictures, etc., and they work on any device including mobile.
Click the button below to receive all three, instantly. You'll get a standard resume, a resume for actors without representation, AND an acting resume template for beginners.
You can modify them however you like, changing the fonts, pictures, etc., and they work on any device including mobile.
How Do I Create an Acting Resume?
If you're getting ready to build your resume and want to learn about the strategy behind writing a compelling actor resume, I highly recommend reading my Ultimate Guide to Acting Resumes.
You can also watch this video for a brief overview on how to make your resume stand out:
You can also watch this video for a brief overview on how to make your resume stand out:
Enjoyed this article?
Book more work by thinking "Outside the Industry."
Knowing how to properly format your acting resume is just one part of growing your acting career.
As someone who has worked with people in thousands of industries (through my headshot business), I've been able to take growth strategies that work for businesses and apply them directly to actors – to help them grow their careers faster than most would think possible (examples: one of my clients landed his first-ever Broadway role in just 4 weeks of working with me, and a brand-new actress signed with a high-level agent in just six weeks of working with me).
I'd like to invite you to my free insider newsletter where I share my best material, including:
Download my free Actor's Toolkit to get started and you'll hear from me a few times a week with unique "outside the industry" strategies. I promise they'll help you build a career you're truly proud of.
As someone who has worked with people in thousands of industries (through my headshot business), I've been able to take growth strategies that work for businesses and apply them directly to actors – to help them grow their careers faster than most would think possible (examples: one of my clients landed his first-ever Broadway role in just 4 weeks of working with me, and a brand-new actress signed with a high-level agent in just six weeks of working with me).
I'd like to invite you to my free insider newsletter where I share my best material, including:
- How to network easily and authentically with casting directors – even if you hate self-promotion.
- How to find your Type and Brand in just 18 minutes (it doesn't require awkwardly asking lots of random people for feedback)
- How to find a hardworking and reliable agent – even if you don't have a strong resume or reel
- And much more...
Download my free Actor's Toolkit to get started and you'll hear from me a few times a week with unique "outside the industry" strategies. I promise they'll help you build a career you're truly proud of.
Martin Bentsen (author of this guide) is an actor marketing coach who uses “outside the industry” thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 6,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and other venues. Want to book more acting work by thinking different? Start with his free Actor’s Toolkit to create new opportunities right away, or visit his website at www.martinbentsen.com. |
Some Additional Q&A
What Should Be on an Acting Resume?
An acting resume is broken up into four sections, which I cover in-depth in this article:
- Section 1: Personal Information – Includes your contact info, union affiliation, sizes, and a small headshot.
- Section 2: Credits – This shows all your experience.
- Section 3: Education & Training – Includes schools, workshops, and other classes you've attended (including private coaching).
- Section 4: Special Skills – Special skills are extremely important! Sometimes they'll be the only reason you get called in for an audition! Learn more here: Acting Resume Special Skills
What to Put on a Beginner's Acting Resume?
If you don't have any credits, you'll simply list out formal training (if related to acting), acting workshops, seminars, studio classes, master classes, or private coaching. This also includes special training not directly related to acting, such as singing or stunt-work.
What Casting Directors are Looking For:
There's no specific right or wrong format to list out your training, but just make it easy for a casting director to see what you've done – especially if you don't have any credits.
What Casting Directors are Looking For:
- Names of program directors, teachers, or educators they recognize (try typing your instructors' names into Google– if their name shows up in lots of articles, chances are casting directors will recognize them).
- Names of schools or workshops they recognize (you can use the same strategy as above to see how well-known the workshop/school is).
- Length of time you studied a particular skillset, and how recently you studied it.
- Type of training you've had (learn more about these in my guide: Types of Acting Techniques: The Ultimate Guide).
There's no specific right or wrong format to list out your training, but just make it easy for a casting director to see what you've done – especially if you don't have any credits.
Further Reading:
If you enjoyed this article (Example Acting Resume & How to Build Your Own), you might be interested in some of these:
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