Entertainment Text-Only Resume Examples
Years of Experience
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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
Jesus Christ Superstar
Mary Magdalene
Gershwin Theater
Les Misérables
Fantine
Lyric Theater
Rent
Mimi
New Amsterdam Theater
Television Experience
Stranger Things
Officer
Netflix Productions
Upload
Angel
Amazon Studios
Chicago Med
Physician
NBC Productions
Film Experience
The Path Between
Laya Thomas
Lionsgate
Dinner with Orpheus
Eurydice
Indie Film Studios
No Stars Over Bethlehem
Candice
Amber Stone Productions
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
Tips for Writing a Better Entertainment Resume
Entertainment resumes often follow unique structures based on your career within the industry. The key to creating a compelling document to supplement your portfolio is identifying the optimal format for your specific area of expertise. A resume for an actress will look very different from that of a film director, even though both overlap within the entertainment space. The most important aspect of an entertainment resume is drawing the reader’s attention to achievements that will make a strong, positive impression. For example, even if they may be unaware of your film, they will certainly be intrigued by a premiere at the Sundance Festival. Below, you’ll find three expert tips to help you enhance the effectiveness of your entertainment resume:
1. Draw attention to the names
Within the entertainment industry, it’s important to highlight the names of the acts you’ve worked with over the course of your career. Employers will be much more interested in seeing a high-profile musician you’ve performed with than reading about you 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 that the hiring manager will likely recognize:
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.
2. Identify the optimal format
Identifying the optimal format for your entertainment resume will help you to enhance 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 are better served by using a format that highlights the titles of their productions and roles because this is the information that 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
Jesus Christ Superstar
Mary Magdalene
Gershwin Theater
Les Misérables
Fantine
Lyric Theater
Rent
Mimi
New Amsterdam Theater
Television Experience
Stranger Things
Officer
Netflix Productions
Upload
Angel
Amazon Studios
Chicago Med
Physician
NBC Productions
Film Experience
The Path Between
Laya Thomas
Lionsgate
Dinner with Orpheus
Eurydice
Indie Film Studios
No Stars Over Bethlehem
Candice
Amber Stone Productions
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 across your career. This can be done by creating an award section, but there are also opportunities to showcase your nominations within your bullet points if your resume style allows for it. In the example below, you’ll find a film director providing valuable context and insights for a documentary they directed. This bullet is effective because it paints a clear picture of the project and draws attention to a Sundance Award nomination, which will be sure to resonate with industry professionals.
- 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
Key Skills Hiring Managers Look for on Entertainment Resumes
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 an actor or actress, you may want to include that you follow a character acting method approach to your performances. If you’re a filmmaker, you may want to mention your expertise in narrative storytelling or the type of film you specialize in. Below, you’ll find a list of industry terms that you may want to consider featuring in your document:
Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
---|---|
Acting | After Effects |
Adobe Premiere Pro | Audio Mixing |
Character Acting | Cinematography |
Commercials | Color Correction |
Character Acting | Drama |
Documentary Filmmaking | Digital Media Production |
Editing | Filmmaking |
Final Cut Pro X | Live Broadcasting |
Media Production | Motion Graphics |
Photography | Postproduction |
Method Acting | Musical Theater |
Sanford Meisner | Soprano |
Sound Mixing | Video Production |
Videography |
Common Action Verbs for Entertainment Resumes
Not all entertainment resumes require action verbs to showcase your professional achievements, but those who do will find that their options are limited compared to other fields. Using a mix of verbiage can help keep your content fresh, as overusing a specific verb may cause your content to feel redundant to the reader. That being said, there are certain situations where this is unavoidable. For example, if you’re a filmmaker, you’ll likely be opening most of your bullet points with “directed” because using an alternative might cloud the meaning of your sentence and waste the reader’s time learning about your film. Below, you’ll find a list of action verbs to aid you in creating your bullet point content:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Analyzed | Conducted |
Coordinated | Collaborated |
Created | Delivered |
Directed | Edited |
Enhanced | Evaluated |
Executed | Filmed |
Identified | Led |
Managed | Oversaw |
Planned | Produced |
Supported | Wrote |
How to Align Your Entertainment Resume With the Job Description
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary within the entertainment industry was $61,100 in 2021. This field is extremely broad, and compensation can vary significantly according to your occupation, as will the style of the resume itself. For example, an actress or film director’s resume will look much different from a professional DJ’s, although these jobs fall under the same industry. Employers within the entertainment space will be carefully evaluating your professional portfolio. While this will likely determine whether or not you receive an interview or casting call, the resume can serve as a helpful complementary piece that delivers additional insights into your background and achievements.
Aligning your resume with the job description can go a long way in differentiating yourself from the competition. The problem is, it can often be more challenging to identify the needs of a production company or a casting director compared to other types of industries. In the case of a professional DJ, it’s likely that they’ll have a more straightforward job posting to draw from, as audio mixing and event management skills are all important for this type of role. The question is, how does one align their resume for the acting and film sectors of the entertainment industry?
When evaluating a casting call, you should pay close attention to any specific requirements that the director lists. If they’re seeking a soprano for a leading role, you should be sure to emphasize your vocal range and a performance that aligns with those needs. If a production company is seeking a director for a commercial, you’ll want to highlight that aspect of your directorial experience at the top of your resume. By tailoring your resume to each individual opportunity, you’ll maximize your chances of securing your next interview or audition.