Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 952: What if I don't have a lot of credits for a resume, is it better not to have one?

If you have at least two, put together a resume because it's the professional thing to do. It would look a little something like this (the formatting of this blog will move everything to the left, but imagine neat columns)

Joe Camera

CAMERA OPERATOR

555-555-5555

www.joecamera.com

SHOWS PRODUCTION CO DoP

Chuck (D camera) Warner Bros. Television Buzz Feitshans IV

SAW VI (C camera) Twisted Pictures David A Armstrong

SPECIAL SKILLS

Stunts; skiing, horseback riding, extreme sports, own an AG-3DA1 and a Canon 7D

EDUCATION

USC Film School

[Then to fill up space, get some testimonials from people you've worked with; DPs, OPs, 1st ACs, producers, directors, name actors]

Again, your resume doesn't get you the job, it gives you the credibility to be considered for the job. So, to cold-submit this resume may not be very effective. However, if you're taking meetings and are asked for a resume, you're handing them something that is professional, they're already getting to know you, and perhaps they'll comment on some of the testimonials and that will deepen the conversation.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 951:On Buzz radio you said no dates on resumes. Can you elaborate?

I was talking about the mistakes people make on their resumes and one of them is to model a "corporate business resume." These types of resumes are done in more of a paragraph format and have the dates the person worked at each company.

As I said on The BuZz, your resume doesn't get you work, it gives you credibility. So with each word or number you put on your resume you have to ask yourself, is this something that they could say "no" to? And obviously if it may make them say no, you don't want it on your resume.

Dates can give a lot of information that people can say "no" to. For example:

1. If your first credit was in 1963, and the director looking at your resume was born in 1983, you may get passed over because the young director doesn't want an "old guy" telling him what to do.

2. If your first 10 credits are all in 2009, clearly, you just started last year. While you have ten credits, you may still be viewed as lacking experience because you've only been working for a year.

3. If your most recent credit is 2010 but before that your last credit was 2001, the person reading it may wonder, "why wasn't this person being hired?" You may have a great answer, like you left the business to care for a parent, but you may never get the chance to explain.

4. If your most recent credit is 2001, people will really wonder, why hasn't anyone hired you and a major red flag goes up.

You don't want to raise any flags, red, yellow, or otherwise. It's just safer to keep your resume simple and date free, in my opinion. Besides, if they really want to know dates, they can check IMDB.

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Getting Work in Entertainment Question 931: how do I make my resume stand out?

If you're an academy award winner and/or have worked on top box office grossing films, that's going to make your resume stand out. Although usually at this level, you won't need a resume.

So what really makes a resume stand out if you have basically a number of unrecognizable credits with semi-unrecognizable talent? A REFERRAL. In other words, sending out hundreds of resumes cold, is pretty much a waste of time and money. Instead, target specific jobs, speak to your contacts to find out if they know anyone involved with the project, and then send a cover letter with your resume stating that you were referred by _______. That's what makes you stand out, having a connection to someone involved.

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Getting Jobs in Entertainment question 890: What is the most important item to include on my resume?

Well, I can't pin it down to one thing being the most important, because without the following, you'd be seen as unprofessional and your resume would go in the trash. Include the following:

1. Your name (yes, seems obvious, but trust me...)

2. Your contact information (you do not need to have your home address ESPECIALLY if you're a woman or worked on a Star Wars movie)

3. Your credits

In your credits, you want to list the name of the project, the production company, and who hired you.

In addition, you'll want to include any special skills you have (that you truly are special at) for example: camera operating on horseback, skis, or aerial.

Education. This is optional. If you went to a film school or a school with a strong alumni (or a good football team... oh wait, that may just be what I care about).

DO NOT list courses that taught you skills that you should know as a professional. You can list equipment under skills.

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entertainment industry coach question 661:What do you do when a teacher discourages you about your work?

Teachers are voices of authority in our society. They teach because they are "experts." But let's face it, teachers, like development execs, and like agents, don't know everything. Listen to feedback, it's important, but if the voice that is speaking loudest about your work, is the voice in your heart, then THAT is the voice you should be listening to.

If I had listened to every person who told me "I couldn't do that," I wouldn't have a resume. The film industry is a risk. You take a chance that a story that is important to you will be well executed, and well received. It may not be, but if you want to tell your story, then don't let someone else tell you no!

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entertainment industry coach question 583: Yesterday on Buzz radio you said no dates on resumes. Can you elaborate?

I was talking about the mistakes people make on their resumes and one of them is to model a "corporate business resume." These types of resumes are done in more of a paragraph format and have the dates the person worked at each company.

As I said on The BuZz, your resume doesn't get you work, it gives you credibility. So with each word or number you put on your resume you have to ask yourself, is this something that they could say "no" to? And obviously if it may make them say no, you don't want it on your resume.

Dates can give a lot of information that people can say "no" to. For example:

1. If your first credit was in 1963, and the director looking at your resume was born in 1983, you may get passed over because the young director doesn't want an "old guy" telling him what to do.

2. If your first 10 credits are all in 2009, clearly, you just started last year. While you have ten credits, you may still be viewed as lacking experience because you've only been working for a year.

3. If your most recent credit is 2010 but before that your last credit was 2001, the person reading it may wonder, "why wasn't this person being hired?" You may have a great answer, like you left the business to care for a parent, but you may never get the chance to explain.

4. If your most recent credit is 2001, people will really wonder, why hasn't anyone hired you and a major red flag goes up.

You don't want to raise any flags, red, yellow, or otherwise. It's just safer to keep your resume simple and date free, in my opinion. Besides, if they really want to know dates, they can check IMDB.

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entertainment industry coach question 566: A CD told me not to put any links on my emails because they are distracting, is this true?

If you asked 10 casting directors, you'd get 10 different answers. You are a business. You have to promote yourself. If you are sending in a headshot and resume for a project with a note, any additional links to social media, a website, a movie trailer, a reel, a blog, etc., would go under your signature. If they don't want to be distracted, they don't have to read down that far.

That said, make a note of the CD who doesn't like it and when you write to her/him, remove your signature.

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entertainment industry question 526: How many times a year should I do an agent mailing?

Uh Oooooh.... this is one of those questions that make me go.... hmmmm. I feel like I just addressed this recently, but maybe it was in a seminar. Agent mailings are for the most part a big waste of time and money. The reason I say that is because:

1. People don't bother to consider the timing of when they're pursuing an agent and do a mailing willy-nilly like right smack in the middle of pilot or staffing season.

2. People buy a list of addresses, don't check that they're up-to-date, don't personalize the mailing to the agent in the right department, and don't spell check names.

3. People send out resumes, reels, head shots COLD. Do you know how many thousands of people are submitting to agents? It's far more effective to get referrals to agents. The time you spend getting referrals and approaching an agent in a professional way, will be worth it compared to the years of unproductive mailings.

I'm not saying that cold mass mailings don't ever work, I'm simply offering you a more effective use of your time (because it rarely works).

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