HOLLYWOOD RESUME WRITING

There are a number of ways to format an industry resume.  Below is my advice based on my experiences, and those of fellow industry assistants.
 

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT RESUMES

For the purpose of creating a resume, I have divided industry assistants into two categories: production assistants (PAs) and executive assistants.

PAs are entry-level assistants with little or no prior industry experience.  PA resumes include the following categories:

Industry (or Field) Experience, Professional Experience, Honors and Awards, Education, and References. 

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE includes any experience directly related to the industry; i.e.; internships, student film productions, work on local film sets, etc.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE includes all other professional, non-industry jobs.

PA resumes must provide your former job title, company name, and dates of employment.  A description of your responsibilities is not necessary.

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

DEVELOPMENT INTERN           

Beacon Pictures     

                                              
PRODUCER                              
Staged Play Reading - The Guiding Light Actors’ Workshop     

            
WRITERS’ INTERN/PUBLIC RELATIONS’ INTERN                    
As The World Turns/Televest/Procter & Gamble Productions, Inc.    
 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT     
Webster University Career Services                    

TELLER                                       
Town & Country Bank                                       

DIRECTOR’S ASSISTANT             
Webster Groves Chamber of Commerce    

        
HONORS AND AWARDS

Study Abroad Program - Regent’s College - London
Winner of the Webster University Media Excellence Award
Dean’s List - Webster University

The National Dean’s List                                                                         

Event Coordinator - “It’s Up to Us” Safe-Driving Campaign Fundraiser     

EDUCATION

B.A. in Media Communications with Emphasis in Scriptwriting
Webster University, St. Louis, MO, May 2004

If you attended but did not graduate college, simply list the name of the college and your last year of attendance.

REFERENCES

Provide three references.  DO NOT LIST SOMEONE AS A REFERENCE WITHOUT HIS OR HER KNOWLEDGE.  Ask your reference for a phone number and/or email they would like for you to list.  Do not assume it is okay for you to list the contact information you have for them.

Click here to view my PA resume.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT RESUMES 

Executive Assistants are experienced, upper-level assistants, such as assistants to executive producers, network and studio executives, agents, etc.  Executive assistant resumes include the same categories as PA resumes but also list specific skills and experience.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
ABC Studios                                                                                                                 

             
• Maintain calendars for three executives
• Compile and organize accounting and contractual documents for series and pilots
• Distribute show budgets to network and studio executives for approval
• Coordinate travel arrangements
• Submit expense reports
• Schedule, initiate, and roll conference calls
• Train incoming finance assistants

LINE PRODUCER'S ASSISTANT
According to Jim

                • Served as liaison to network and studio executives
• Provided producers with script breakdowns for each episode
• Facilitated publicity between Touchstone Television and According to Jim cast
• Coordinated show night audience
• Placed weekly orders to vendors
• Managed charitable donations made on behalf of According to Jim

Click here to view my executive assistant resume.

GENERAL RESUME WRITING TIPS

• Your resume should be one page, and one page only.  You can attach a second page with references, if necessary.
  

• If you have been out of high school for over a year, do not include any high school activities, honors, or awards on your resume. If you are a recent high school graduate, you may include the items ONLY IF THEY ARE RELEVENT TO THE INDUSTRY.

          Theatre Scholarship Recipient

          Coffeyville Community College

          Honor Thespian Member

          Blue Valley High

          Techie of the Year

          Blue Valley High

          Thespian Senior of the Year

          Blue Valley High

• Always use an LA address.  If you don’t have one, borrow one from your friend.  Or use the street address of the Days Inn where you’re crashing.

• Make sure you voicemail greeting is not obnoxious.  You’re potential boss may call and leave you a message, and it helps to at least pretend you’re a professional.

WRITER’S RESUMES

Once you are represented by an agent, your agent’s office will update and distribute your resume.  For young writers with only a few credits, the agency will often attach a professional bio, written by the writer.