Movies, a tv series, that big spread in Vogue – credits on your resume and in your book make all the difference when it comes to getting the next big gig. In fact, a strong resume is just as important as a quality headshot!
The first thing a client, ad agent, CD, or director sees when considering talent is usually the headshot AND resume. A great image captures our eye and draws us in, whereas the resume substantiates the viewer’s hope – you really ARE the talent they’ve been looking for! A resume full of the appropriate credits can open doors into worlds you have until now just dreamed about.
So how do you build the right kind of credits to get such positive attention? Good question; but before we broach “how”, let’s agree on what the “right” kind of credit really is. That can depend on your market. If you are seeking to book more film work, then movie and film credits are what you need. If you are hoping to be the next sitcom superstar, adding television credits to your resume would be wise. There are lots of savvy talent who build empires on being successful commercial talent and who built a resume full of commercial credits. The young high fashion hopeful girl will want to collect high fashion tears, whereas the commercial face will collect more catalog work. Find out who you are as a talent first by visiting previous blogs, including WHO AM I AS A TALENT?, then read on!
If you want to build your book as a model, finding the photographers in your area who are interested in high fashion photography would be a good start. Let them know you are available and willing to test. If you don’t have a book to sell them on wanting to test with you, set up a shoot with a few of them and build your book first. Knowing how to present yourself professionally with just a digital “polaroid” snapshot might be enough to peak their interest in some cases. Commercial models should follow the same steps, but with photographers who focus mostly on commercial work. Do THE NECESSARY RESEARCH! It’s not the first time you had to figure out something new, remember?
As an actor, take similar steps to get connected in you field of interest. Take into account that it may be wise to also focus on the type of work available in your market, even if it’s not a part of your dream. Credits are credits when you’re starting from scratch! Connect with local directors, producers, film schools, photography schools, and other resources in your area (see THE NECESSARY RESEARCH).
Building resume credits is not only a great way to invest in your future and make doors open more easily, its also a great way to practice auditioning, make mistakes where they won’t haunt you, and learn the basic lingo and flow of a set. Be sure to ask when you do book a job how to get a copy of the footage while you are still on set, too! Now you’re on your way to building your resume and maybe even a reel!
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