How To Write an Entertainment Business Resume
Writing a resume for the entertainment business can be tricky — resumes often follow unique structures based on your career within the industry. A resume for an actress will look different from a film director’s, though both overlap within the entertainment space. The key to creating a compelling document to supplement your portfolio is identifying the optimal format for your specific area of expertise.
The most important aspect of an entertainment resume is drawing the reader’s attention to specific achievements that will make a strong, positive impression. For example, while the person reviewing your resume may be unaware of your film, they’ll still be intrigued by a premiere at the Sundance Festival. Below, you’ll find four expert tips to help you enhance the effectiveness of your entertainment resume:
1. Draw attention to pertinent names
Within the entertainment industry, it’s important to highlight the names of the acts and projects you’ve worked on or within your career. Employers will be much more interested to see a high-profile musician you’ve performed with rather than the minutiae of setting up and breaking down sound equipment.
Unlike other resume styles, names often play the most significant role in whether or not you secure your next big opportunity. This professional profile is effective because the job seeker paints a broad picture of their career while showcasing a variety of musical acts the hiring manager will likely recognize:
Profile
A professional disk jockey (DJ) with eight years of professional experience performing at over 1,000 events with up to 600 attendees, including weddings, nightclubs, and concerts. A proven track record of providing DJ services for prominent musical acts, including Method Man, Mobb Deep, Nas, Black Thought, and the Roots.
2. Identify the optimal format
Choosing an optimal format for your entertainment resume will help you highlight the presentation of your professional achievements. Contrary to most types of resumes, there are situations where bullet points are unnecessary. For example, actors and actresses should use a format that highlights the titles of their productions and roles because this information will be most pertinent to the casting director.
It’s also important to include the names of the theaters and production companies, as a Broadway theater performance will be much more likely to garner attention than a smaller independent venue. In the example below, the actress has effectively organized their strongest professional achievements across theater, television, and film:
Theater Experience
Production
Role
Production Company
Jesus Christ Superstar
Mary Magdalene
Gershwin Theater
Les Misérables
Fantine
Lyric Theater
Rent
Mimi
New Amsterdam Theater
Television Experience
Production
Role
Production Company
Chicago Med
Physician
NBC Productions
Stranger Things
Officer
Netflix Productions
Upload
Angel
Amazon Studios
Film Experience
Production
Role
Production Company
Dinner with Orpheus
Eurydice
Indie Film Studios
No Stars Over Bethlehem
Candice
Amber Stone Productions
The Path Between
Laya Thomas
Lionsgate
3. Showcase awards and recognitions
Casting directors and production companies will be highly interested in seeing any awards you’ve achieved or been nominated for in your career. This can be done by creating an award section, but there are also opportunities to showcase your nominations within bullet points if your resume style allows it.
In the example below, a film director provides valuable context and insights for a documentary they directed. This bullet effectively paints a clear picture of the project and draws attention to a Sundance Award nomination, which will likely resonate with industry professionals.
- Wrote, produced, and directed the documentary film “The Stones We Throw,” about the experience of Middle Eastern Americans following the aftermath of 9/11, resulting in a nomination for best documentary at the Sundance Festival
4. List pertinent key skills
Although it’s unlikely that companies within the entertainment space will rely on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to identify top talent, it’s still important to feature relevant industry skills to showcase your expertise to the reader. As a performer, you might include information such as a particular character acting method you apply to your performances. If you’re a filmmaker, you could mention your expertise in narrative storytelling or the film genre you specialize in. Below is a list of industry terms you may want to consider featuring in your document:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Acting | Adobe Premiere Pro |
| Aftereffects | Audio mixing |
| Character acting | Cinematography |
| Color correction | Commercials |
| Digital media production | Documentary filmmaking |
| Drama | Editing |
| Filmmaking | Final Cut Pro X |
| Live broadcasting | Media production |
| Meisner technique | Method acting |
| Motion graphics | Musical theater |
| Photography | Postproduction |
| Soprano | Sound mixing |
| Videography | Video production |
Entertainment Industry Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- #1
- #2
- #3
Raheem Richardson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia, PA 12345
Profile
A Professional Disk Jockey (DJ) with eight years of professional experience performing at over 1K events with up to 600 attendees, including weddings, nightclubs, and concerts. A proven track record of providing DJ services for prominent musical acts, including Method Man, Mobb Deep, Nas, Black Thought, and the Roots.
Professional Experience
Disc Jockey (DJ), The TLA, Philadelphia, PA
April 2017 – Present
- Deliver DJ services to a prominent concert venue with a wide range of well-known musical acts such as The Roots, Method Man, and Nas and select music in between shows to maintain high energy atmosphere for events ranging from 400-500 attendees
- Introduce acts, interact with attendees and talent, and coordinate with musicians to ensure optimal sound levels for vocals and instruments
- Manage the setup and breakdown of sound equipment valued at over $200K, including microphones, speakers, turntables, and lighting equipment
Freelance DJ, Richardson Entertainment, Philadelphia, PA
June 2014 – April 2017
- Served as the master of ceremonies and DJ for over 400+ events with 100-500 guests, including weddings, cruise ship events, celebrations, and award ceremonies
- Identified optimal song selection according to client preferences, altered mixes according to atmosphere and attendees, and achieved a five star Google rating out of 300+ reviews
- Oversaw the setup and breakdown of audio and lighting equipment for events and conducted sound checks to ensure optimal volume based on the venue
Education
High School Diploma
Benjamin Franklin High School, Philadelphia, PA September 2010 – June 2014
Key Skills
- Event Management
- Music Selection
- Talent Management
- Inventory Management
- Audio Mixing
Certifications
- Public Performance License, ASCAP, 2014
Jasmine Brown
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Bedford Avenue, New York, NY, 12345
Profile
An award-winning actress with nine years of experience performing in theater, television, and film productions for both independent filmmakers and major networks. Adept at utilizing the Sanford Meisner technique to deliver immersive, emotionally-driven performances. Achieved a nomination for best actress in the Sundance Festival for the leading role in The Path Between.
Physical Attributes
- 5’8” Height
- 127 Pounds
- Blue Eyes
- Brown Hair
- Soprano
Theater Experience
Production
Role
Production Company
Jesus Christ Superstar
Mary Magdalene
Gershwin Theater
Les Misérables
Fantine
Lyric Theater
Rent
Mimi
New Amsterdam Theater
Television Experience
Production
Role
Production Company
Chicago Med
Physician
NBC Productions
Stranger Things
Officer
Netflix Productions
Upload
Angel
Amazon Studios
Film Experience
Production
Role
Production Company
Dinner with Orpheus
Eurydice
Indie Film Studios
No Stars Over Bethlehem
Candice
Amber Stone Productions
The Path Between
Laya Thomas
Lionsgate
Awards
- Nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actress, Laya Thomas, Sun Dance Awards
- Best Performance by a Leading Actress, Fantine, Tony Awards
Associations
- Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Member, 2012 – Present
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Theater
University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY September 2008 – May 2012
Mina Sayed
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 12345
Profile
A Film Director with eight years of experience, specializing in independent filmmaking, documentaries, cinematography, and scriptwriting. A strong history of filming, writing, and producing independent films focused on depersonalization and loneliness in America.
Professional Experience
Film Director, West Coast Indie Productions, Los Angeles, CA
May 2016 – Present
- Write, produce, and direct the documentary film, The Stones We Throw, covering the experience of Middle Eastern Americans following the aftermath of 9/11, resulting in a nomination for best documentary at the Sundance Festival
- Direct an independent drama film, Chances Not Taken, manage a cast and crew of 40+ personnel, oversee a $2M production budget, and provide artistic direction to talent
- Coordinate all aspects of principal photography and postproduction, including sequencing, score selection, editing, and color correction
Independent Filmmaker, Arcadia Film Productions, Los Angeles, CA
May 2014 – May 2016
- Directed an independent documentary film, The Divide, evaluating the perception and awareness of American citizens regarding the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, which included interviewing 30 individuals across various backgrounds
- Wrote and directed a drama film, Those We Leave Behind, centered on a group of elderly citizens in an assisted living facility with limited contact with their families, which received positive reviews from critics in the Los Angeles Times
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Film
Stanford University, Stanford, CA September 2010 – May 2014
Key Skills
- Documentary Filmmaking
- Scriptwriting
- Postproduction
- Cinematography
- Narrative Storytelling
Frequently Asked Questions: Entertainment Industry Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for entertainment industry resumes?+
It’s easy to get stuck when putting the best spin on your experience, and you might run out of ways to describe your work. We’ve put together a list of common action words for the entertainment industry to help you best describe your professional experience and career achievements:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Collaborated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Created | Delivered |
| Directed | Edited |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Executed | Filmed |
| Identified | Led |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Planned | Produced |
| Supported | Wrote |
How do you align your resume with an entertainment industry job description?+
Aligning your resume with your desired job can set you apart from the competition. A professional DJ will likely have a more straightforward job posting to draw from (audio mixing and event management skills are always important for this type of role). But this is a much harder task for the acting and film sectors of the entertainment industry. It may require much research into the project you’re putting yourself forward for.
When evaluating a casting call, consider the director's specific requirements closely. If they’re seeking a soprano for a leading role, emphasize your vocal range and list your past performance that aligns with those needs. If a production company is seeking a director for a commercial, highlight that aspect of your directorial experience. By tailoring your resume to each individual opportunity, you’ll maximize your chances of securing your next interview or audition.
What is the best entertainment industry resume format?+
There are a ton of different resume formats you can use for your entertainment industry resume. The best format depends on your experience level and the job type you are applying for. For example, if you have a lot of experience in the industry, select a reverse chronological resume format to highlight your work history. However, if you’re just starting out or have limited experience, you can choose a combination approach that emphasizes your skills and professional training. You can also add links to your work samples and portfolio.
Expert advice: include a cover letter with your resume
Once you’re finished with your resume, a good way to finish it is to add a cover letter. A cover letter is an excellent opportunity to customize a bid directly to your potential employer. Remember, a cover should be fairly succinct. Never exceed more than 400 words — 250 to 300 is ideal. If you’re an actor, include a recent headshot as well. For more information and ideas, view our acting cover letter examples.
