Film Director Text-Only Resume Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Yaling Zhang
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Bedford Avenue, New York, NY, 12345
Profile
An aspiring Film Director with entry-level experience specializing in cinematography, narrative storytelling, script writing, and post-production. Adept at directing independent drama films centered on the unique cultural experience of immigrants in modern American society.
Professional Experience
Film Director, IndieFilm Productions, New York, NY
May 2021 – June 2022
- Directed, wrote, and produced a coming-of-age drama film, Absence, which focused on the upbringing of a teenage immigrant from Guangzhou adjusting to life in America, including overcoming adversity and struggling with loss of cultural identity
- Shot, edited, and trimmed scenes to ensure ideal pacing and coordinated with actors and actresses to capture emotional performances
- Oversaw post-production activities, including sequencing, sound production, color correction, and editing in Final Cut Pro X
Academic Experience
Film Projects, Columbia University, New York, NY
May 2019 – May 2021
- Directed and wrote a short film detailing a conversation between two friends in a coffee shop that have drifted apart over the years and lost their personal connection
- Coordinated lighting, cinematography, and post-production activities and provided direction to actors to ensure alignment with artistic vision
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Film
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2017 – May 2021
Key Skills
- Filmmaking
- Videography
- Post-Production
- Script Writing
- Storytelling
Skyler Thompson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Santa Maria, San Francisco, CA 12345
Profile
A dynamic Film Director with five years of experience specializing in videography, cinematography, script writing, and narrative storytelling. A proven track record of directing thought-provoking independent films centered on overcoming loss and tragedy.
Professional Experience
Independent Film Director, West Light Productions, San Francisco, CA
May 2018 – Present
- Direct, write, and produce an independent drama film, Echoes in the Sand, detailing the relationships of a family on their final beach vacation following a terminal diagnosis, resulting in critical acclaim from critics at the Sundance Film Festival
- Manage pre-production and post-production activities, evaluate scenes to ensure tempo and narrative consistency, and identify necessary cuts and scene transitions
- Oversee cast and production crews with 25+ personnel, and provide direction to actors and actresses to bring compelling characters to life
Independent Filmmaker, Latent Sun Productions, San Francisco, CA
May 2016 – May 2018
- Directed an independent drama film, The Wind on 9th Street, which received 92% positive reviews on IndieFilms.com and 85% Rottentomatoes.com
- Led a crew of 30+ production staff and 20 actors and actresses, evaluated performances, and ensured a safe and collaborative working environment
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Film
Stanford University, Stanford, CA September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
- Filmmaking
- Narrative Storytelling
- Film Editing
- Sound Design
- Cinematography
Raheem Richardson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Carpenter Street, Philadelphia, PA, 12345
Profile
An award-winning Film Director with 10+ years of experience delivering documentary films across various topics, including racial identity, gentrification, and social justice. A strong background utilizing innovative cinematography techniques to create atmosphere and ensure symmetry between background environments and documentary subjects.
Professional Experience
Film Director, Philadelphia Cinema Studio, Philadelphia, PA
May 2016 – Present
- Direct a documentary film exploring the connection between education and the prison industrial complex, Glass Ceilings and Shards, resulting in a nomination for the Best Documentary Award in 2019 following the premiere at Sundance
- Oversee production crews, videographers, and camera operators, perform interviews with documentary subjects and identify optimal lighting and background environments
Film Director, Independent Productions, Philadelphia, PA
May 2011 – May 2016
- Produced and directed a critically acclaimed documentary, Forgotten and Lost, centered on the effects of gentrification on residents of North Philadelphia and China Town, which received positive reviews from critics in the Philadelphia Inquirer
- Managed all aspects of post-production, including color correction, compression, sequencing, sound editing, and scene transitions
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Film
University of Pennsylvania, September 2007 – May 2011
Key Skills
- Documentary Filmmaking
- Cinematography
- Post-Production
- Sequencing
- Team Leadership
Tips for Writing a Better Film Director Resume
Now that you’ve seen some examples of film director resumes, we’ll provide additional insights to help you enhance the quality of your document and produce your next directorial project.
Although success within the film industry is very much contingent on connections and agents, creating a high-quality resume outlining your unique approach to filmmaking can offer production studios a fuller picture of your professional industry. Due to the competitive nature of this space, you’ll want to leverage every possible advantage to stand out from the applicant field.
Below, you’ll find three expert tips to help you build a compelling film director resume.
1. Highlight Key Projects
To grab the attention of production studios, you’ll want to highlight key films you’ve directed over the course of your filmmaking career. This will provide unique insights into your directorial style and the types of genres you specialize in. In the example below, the film director highlights an intriguing film premise and illustrates the steps they took to bring their artistic vision to life:
- Directed, wrote, and produced a coming-of-age drama film, Absence, which focused on the upbringing of a teenage immigrant from Guangzhou adjusting to life in America, including overcoming adversity and struggling with loss of cultural identity
- Shot, edited, and trimmed scenes to ensure ideal pacing and coordinated with actors and actresses to capture emotional performances
- Oversaw post-production activities, including sequencing, sound production, color correction, and editing in Final Cut Pro X
2. Showcase Film Awards and Critical Reception
Featuring award nominations and review scores from film review websites will speak to your credibility and success as a film director. You’ll want to be specific here regarding the organization that issued the award and the percentages of positive reviews from critics.
In the example below, the director provides two important examples demonstrating their expertise and success within the film industry. Mentioning Sundance is key here, as this is a major film festival and will likely catch the attention of the reader:
- Direct, write, and produce an independent drama film, Echoes in the Sand, detailing the relationships of a family on their final beach vacation following a terminal diagnosis, resulting in critical acclaim from critics at the Sundance Film Festival
- Directed an independent drama film, The Wind on 9th Street, which received 92% positive reviews on IndieFilms.com and 85% Rottentomatoes.com
3. Create an Eye-catching Professional Profile
Incorporating a compelling summary at the top of your resume is important to set the tone for the rest of your content. This is also a helpful strategy for grabbing the attention of production companies by providing an intriguing overview of your filmmaking career. In the example below, the director draws attention to the fact that they’re an award-winning documentary filmmaker with a strong track record of tackling difficult subject matter and topics:
Profile
An award-winning Film Director with 10+ years of experience delivering documentary films across various topics, including racial identity, gentrification, and social justice. A strong background in utilizing innovative cinematography techniques to create atmosphere and ensure symmetry between background environments and documentary subjects.
Key Skills Hiring Managers Look for on Film Director Resumes
Although the vast majority of production companies won’t be using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to identify qualified directors, you’ll still want to incorporate key skills on your resume that match the needs of the organization you’re contacting. The film industry is a highly competitive space and showing your familiarity with specific filmmaking techniques and post-production activities will help further demonstrate that you have the qualifications to manage large projects.
Below, you’ll find a list of potential key skills that you may encounter during your job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| After Effects | Adobe Premiere Pro |
| Audio Mixing | Camera Operation |
| Cinematography | Commercials |
| Compression | Color Correction |
| Documentary Filmmaking | Digital Media Production |
| Editing | Film Director |
| Filmmaking | Filmmaker |
| Final Cut Pro X | Media Production |
| Narrative Storytelling | Photography |
| Post-Production | Project Management |
| Scriptwriting | Shading |
| Sound Mixing | Television |
| Video Encoding | Video Production |
| Videography | |
Common Action Verbs for Film Director Resumes
It’s easy to find yourself running out of action verbs to convey your professional experience during the resume-building process, especially as a film director. Often there are only a number of verbs you can use to build out your bullet points. That said, differentiating your usage of action verbs can enhance the quality of your content. Below, you’ll find a list of action verbs you can use to write your film director resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Conducted |
| Coordinated | Collaborated |
| Communicated | Created |
| Developed | Directed |
| Edited | Enhanced |
| Evaluated | Executed |
| Filmed | Led |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Performed | Planned |
| Provided | Supported |
| Wrote | |
How to Align Your Film Director Resume With the Job Description
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for film directors was $79,000 in 2021. Although this field is projected to grow by 24% over the next decade, you’ll find that the entertainment industry is one of the most competitive spaces to enter. Most production companies will be assessing your professional portfolio. Building an accomplishment-driven resume can provide you with an opportunity to provide additional context and insights into your career achievements and filmmaking style.
Although you likely won’t need to optimize your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) during your job search for film director positions, you’ll want to take the time to research the production company you’re contacting and tailor your resume toward the needs of the organization. Customizing your document for individual opportunities is a subtle touch that hiring managers notice, and you’ll want to utilize every possible competitive advantage to secure your next position.
For example, if the company is interested in a director with years of experience in documentary filmmaking, you should take the time to provide additional insights into films that you directed within that specific genre. Aligning your resume with the job description will significantly increase your chances of landing your next film project and accelerate your career growth.