Mominbiz
(or anyone who knows the answer to this )
I want to change my daughters age to a range instead of her DOB. How do I word that. Is it,

Age: 7-10
or
Age Range: 7-10

Also,
I am updating another young actresses resume for her. She has a Heading- Video. I read not to include music videos on resumes but she doesnt have a lot of credits. So the one video she did do she auditioned and got a callback for a principal or featured spot. So her mother would like it on there
Also under this heading is a childrens straight to dvd, which is different since it did require acting, shouldnt that be left on?
Then under the same heading she has a Entertainment web host show, which I also read shouldnt be on there.
This is a ten year old girl, I want to help her look as professional and credited as possible while being accurate. I also do not want her mother or her to feel I am minimizing all the great things she has booked.

In that video section, its kind of all over the place. Also, she has film but no tv credits.
What is the suggestion on this video category?

OK, I'm definitely not an expert on kid acting issues, but here's my take:
You never sell yourself short in regards to the resume. Her credits are all true, just perhaps a bit unconventional. I so, work with what she has. After she has a lengthy IMDB page, she can certainly ignore some of that stuff, but for now, I'd list it all. They show that she's desirable talent (since she's already getting hired), and they show that she's had on-set experience.

I think "don't list videos" is too hard and fast of a rule to apply to someone just starting out, especially a child. So, I'd leave that credit on there. And the straight-to-DVD definitely stays on. Even name actors' films sometimes end up straight-to-DVD. But, you might want to put this one under "film," especially if you eliminate "video" altogether.

I don't think you're sacrificing professionalism by including the web job, either. I think more and more people are starting to book web jobs, and I don't see any reason to hide that. If you search, I think there was already a discussion on here about that. Someone even suggested a heading for that--though, I can't remember what it was.

And regarding your daughter, I would think:
"Age Range: 7-10," if you're not going to use the actual DOB.

Hi Amdivasmom!

Age Range: 7-10

I agree with Burbankactor. When a child is starting out and has very little on their resume, it's okay to list any credible jobs or experience they've had, until they gain more substantial credits to replace the lesser ones.
It shows experience in all the areas listed.
If it's background work, it can be listed in the Special Skills section as On-set Experience or Background Experience.

I would list the straight to DVD under Film, just as you would a student film, short or feature.
Name of Film/Principal/Director

List the music video under Video. I don't know why they shouldn't be listed. I also still see this on some adult actor's resumes. Now, if the video was taped specifically for TV and airs/aired on TV, then it can be listed under TV. Also, if it was a music video within a film like Austin Powers, then it can be listed under film. There are so many options, depending on where the video is used.

I would imagine that actor/singer music artists that do their own music videos list them or have a separate music resume for them. I've seen those, too.

List the web job (thank you CSilvera ) under Multimedia. This new category is starting to show up for everyone involved with legit projects on the web.

It's okay if she doesn't have a TV category yet. It can be added when she books a TV project.

The good thing about resumes is that they are not totally set in stone. They can be flexible to fit each performers' needs. Just as long as it's neat and looks professional with the usual 3 column format (sometimes 4 for those that want 4).

Hope that helps!

Personally I put all the jobs my daughter has done on her resume. Why shouldn't I? She did do them. I think maybe as she does more and better stuff I will narrow it down, but for now I list everything. I think Age Range 7-10 should work. Can you only put 1 thing? Even though that might get attention for different ages sometimes they do look for a specific age. I think I might put both: Age 10 Age Range 9-12. What do you think?

Thanks everyone! awesome advice. I am thrilled to to include all her credits. I love the multimedia category

This is how I did it and it worked for us.
My child was 10-11 and could play from 8 years old to 13 years old.
Imdb.com resume still has 8 to 13.
After we got manager we had to remove age range period from resume by manager request.

quote:

Originally posted by Momof4NYC:
Personally I put all the jobs my daughter has done on her resume. Why shouldn't I? She did do them. I think maybe as she does more and better stuff I will narrow it down, but for now I list everything. I think Age Range 7-10 should work. Can you only put 1 thing? Even though that might get attention for different ages sometimes they do look for a specific age. I think I might put both: Age 10 Age Range 9-12. What do you think?

I don't know if when you say you include everything you are referring to background work, but here's the general rule for anyone interested.

I know most parents of new child actors and sometimes adult actors who are just starting out want to include every little thing they or their child has done in the beginning, but be careful about adding extra/background work. Sometimes actors can get away with it if the CD for the principals also hired the background, their name is listed in the credits at the end and the production company generously added them to IMDb. But, if the actor is hired as general background with no credits listed and hired by a background casting company, then those credits do not "professionally speaking" belong on an acting resume. Read the resume formats thread and read the columns written by casting directors for more info.

If you're going to list any age at all, it should only be age range. In this case, less is more. Listing the child's exact age might limit their possiblity of being called in. Even if the breakdown calls for a specific age, it doesn't mean that age is set in stone since rewrites and even genders can change and in addition, not every 10 year old looks the same as far as height, weight, etc. The age of the character is in the eyes of the CD, writer and/or director and what they conceive that age to be.

I also wanted to add if anyone has a manager or agent who requests their client not include any age or range at all, then by all means, follow their request.

Thanks for the info. By the way we don't list background work.

I think there is another topic - background jobs.
I was told by known director and couple of casting directors: "no background jobs if you want to do leading roles".
So, we followed this and in overall did two featured (with credit on imdb.com) at the beginning (a year ago).
I remember some books suggested doing extra if you want to learn about business or as some extra income. I would appreciate everybody’s opinion on this topic. As SAG extra makes sometimes more than lead in independents movies.

I can't tell you for sure what should or should not go on the resume as our manager does the resumes and determines what to include. FWIW - I can tell you that no age or age range is listed on our resumes.

Our manager says to put the date of birth and the age range. Background work is good for the extra money and also to see how this business works. My girls see how much time it takes to shoot 1 scene.

I don't see anything wrong with putting down background work if her resume is thin. I'm just starting out and have one credit, everything else is background, and I added my music and theater school stage experience and some skills I have, guitarist, typist, outfits I have like doctor scrubs or ball gowns, things that may come in handy for certain scenes I'm applying for.

I have yet to get an under 5 as I feel that would be a natural progression from background with no lines, but if I stop looking for background work, how do I make some money and keep myself in the action in the meantime?

backround work does not belong on a resume,

momof4nyc -- I would switch it to month and year the exact date is tmi according to our agent.

I stipulated if the girl's resume is thin then why not? If it's indicated as such, like mine is, it shouldn't impede. At least for me it hasn't, not yet.

quote:

Originally posted by ressydm:
I don't see anything wrong with putting down background work if her resume is thin. I'm just starting out and have one credit, everything else is background, and I added my music and theater school stage experience and some skills I have, guitarist, typist, outfits I have like doctor scrubs or ball gowns, things that may come in handy for certain scenes I'm applying for.

I have yet to get an under 5 as I feel that would be a natural progression from background with no lines, but if I stop looking for background work, how do I make some money and keep myself in the action in the meantime?

Unless you want to remain an extra for life, keep your background credits to an absolute minimum, if at all.

Same thing for listing what's in your closet. If you ever want to be considered as a speaking actor, don't ever list wardrobe.
It literally SCREAMS, "extra."

As to your recent resume additions, only list skills that can be applied directly to a film or stage role. Musical skills, dancing skills, stage combat, different languages, yes. But I doubt that typing ability has ever made an actor imminently more desireable.