I know it's a relative term amongst actors, but what actually constitutes having a "strong resume"?

Can someone define it for me?

I've always assumed it took having "Guest Star" credits from a current TV show (or better) to qualify as "strong" by industry standards.

quote:

Originally posted by KidfromCali:
I know it's a relative term amongst actors, but what actually constitutes having a "strong resume"?

Can someone define it for me?

I've always assumed it took having "Guest Star" credits from a current TV show (or better) to qualify as "strong" by industry standards.

I'm sure that everyone has their own definition.

I can only offer mine.

I always like to narrow things down to their most basic elements, so I always go to the dictionary first. If the term, "amateur" means, someone who doesn't get paid for what they do and "professional" means someone who does, I would equate "strong" with "professional" -- in other words, PAID GIGS, be they film, television, or theater. Naturally, the bigger the part, the stronger it will be.

In addition, however, when I think of "strong," I automatically think of DEPTH and VARIETY in a resume, completeness. A rich array of various roles and venues.

Works for me.

“Whatever works.”

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Nicely stated Rob and a good question KidfromCALI. You made me proud to have my name. lol !! Yeah I would just add to the post- Strong resume to me is having a resume with strong recognizable credits I would say. Hell if you even get a role listed along side a celebrity is sweet to for the resume.

I'm pretty much on board with all the responses to this question. From an agent's perspective, a strong resume shows that you've been working for an extended period of time on a variety of paying projects that were cast by several different casting directors who are well known in the industry. (How's that for a mouthful?)

Show-off !! (Just teasing SAM) lol !

I would say a "strong resume" needs more then just paid gigs to be strong. I have a friend who does small parts in loads of straight to video horror movies... as well as some of those skinamax movies. He IS paid for all of these, but I wouldn't call his resume strong.

I think to be strong it has to be credits that the casting person/agent has actually heard of.

quote:

Originally posted by Iceman:
I would say a "strong resume" needs more then just paid gigs to be strong. I have a friend who does small parts in loads of straight to video horror movies... as well as some of those skinamax movies. He IS paid for all of these, but I wouldn't call his resume strong.

I'm quite sure that PORN STARS get paid a lot of money too, Iceman.

I know the difference between "Debbie Does Dallas" and "Debbie Does Chekhov."

quote:

I know the difference between "Debbie Does Dallas" and "Debbie Does Chekhov."

Haha. I think by Robert Kim is right. Off-Off B'way is good because you get exposure and you get to act which is a hard thing to do in an industry that seems to have one part for every one hundred actors, but securing paid work adds an air of legitimacy to the resume. He's also dead on with "A rich array of various roles and venues." The venue is important. Doing Hamlet at The Producer's Club looks weaker than doing Hamlet at an SPT which looks weaker than doing it at a LORT which looks weaker than doing in at Shakespeare in the Park.

And Reform School Girlz on Cinemax Late Night is a good balance for any classically trained actor.