Templates & Documents
Ready-to-use templates for your acting career — resume format, cover letters, tracking spreadsheets, and more.
Templates and Tools for Working Actors
These are actual templates you can use immediately. Copy them, adapt them, and put them to work.
Acting Resume Template
Your resume is the second thing casting looks at after your headshot. It needs to be clean, scannable, and formatted correctly. Here is the standard format used in the professional industry.
The Template
YOUR FULL NAME
SAG-AFTRA / AEA Height: 5'8" Hair: Brown Eyes: Green
Agent: Agency Name (555) 555-1234 | agentname@agency.com
FILM
Title of Project Lead / Supporting / Co-Star Director Name, Production Co.
Title of Project Lead / Supporting / Co-Star Director Name, Production Co.
Title of Project Lead / Supporting / Co-Star Director Name, Production Co.
TELEVISION
Title of Show Guest Star / Co-Star / Recurring Director, Network/Streamer
Title of Show Guest Star / Co-Star / Recurring Director, Network/Streamer
Title of Show Guest Star / Co-Star / Recurring Director, Network/Streamer
THEATER
Title of Play Role Name Theater Name, City
Title of Play Role Name Theater Name, City
Title of Play Role Name Theater Name, City
NEW MEDIA / WEB SERIES
Title of Project Role Type Director / Platform
Title of Project Role Type Director / Platform
COMMERCIALS
List Available Upon Request
TRAINING
Acting Studio / School Name Teacher Name Technique / Focus
Acting Studio / School Name Teacher Name Technique / Focus
Conservatory / University Degree Program BFA Acting (Year)
SPECIAL SKILLS
Fluent Spanish, Conversational French, Boxing (trained), Horseback Riding
(intermediate), Skateboarding, Licensed Driver, Valid Passport, Brooklyn Accent,
Southern Accent, Sight-Read Music
Formatting Rules
Name: Centered, bold, largest text on the page. This is the only thing that should be large. Do not add logos, graphics, or photos to your resume.
Stats line: Union affiliations first, then physical attributes. Keep it to one line. Do not include your age, weight, or date of birth. If you are non-union, you can list "Non-Union" or simply omit the union field.
Contact info: If you have representation, list your agent (and manager if applicable) with their phone number and email. If you are unrepresented, list your own professional email and phone number. Do not use your personal social media as contact info.
Credits sections: Three columns -- Title, Role, Director/Production Company (for film/TV) or Theater Name (for stage). List your strongest credits first within each section, not chronologically. Put Film before Television if your film credits are stronger, or vice versa. Lead your resume with your most impressive section.
Role descriptions for film/TV: Use industry-standard terms: Lead, Supporting, Co-Star, Guest Star, Recurring, Series Regular. Do not use character names as the role description -- casting does not know who "Marcy" is. They know what "Co-Star" means.
Role descriptions for theater: Use the character name for theater credits. Theater is different from film/TV in this regard.
Commercials: Always write "List Available Upon Request." Never list specific commercial credits -- conflicts (competing brands) are a real concern and listing commercials can cost you work.
Training: List your most significant training. Include the institution/studio, the instructor, and what you studied. A BFA or MFA goes here. Ongoing classes go here. Name teachers who are known in the industry when applicable.
Special skills: Be honest and specific. "Fluent Spanish" means you can perform an entire scene in Spanish on set -- do not list it if you took two semesters in college. "Horseback riding" means you can ride on camera -- specify your level. Skills that casting actually searches for: languages, dialects/accents, athletics, music (instruments and vocal range), combat training, dance (specify styles), driving (motorcycles, manual transmission, commercial vehicles), and unique physical skills.
Common Mistakes
- Listing extra/background work as credits. Do not do this. Casting knows, and it marks you as inexperienced in a way that hurts you.
- Using a template that looks like a corporate resume. Your acting resume has a specific format. Do not use bullet points, paragraph descriptions, or corporate-style layouts.
- Including a headshot on the resume itself. Your resume is printed on the back of your headshot or attached as a separate document. The resume page itself should be text only.
- Making it longer than one page. One page. Always. Even if you have 100 credits, edit down to your strongest work. If you have very few credits, let the white space exist rather than padding with irrelevant items.
- Listing your age or age range. Casting decides what age you can play. Do not limit yourself.
Agent Cover Letter Template
When submitting to talent agencies for representation, your cover letter needs to be brief, professional, and focused. Agents receive hundreds of submissions. They will spend less than a minute on yours.
The Template
Subject: Submission for Representation - [Your Name]
Dear [Agent Name or Team],
My name is [Your Name] and I am seeking theatrical [and/or commercial]
representation. I am currently based in [City] and am [union status].
[One to two sentences about your most notable recent credits, training,
or what makes you a viable client. Be specific and concise.]
[One sentence about why you are reaching out to this agency specifically.
Reference something real -- a client of theirs you admire, their reputation
in a specific area, a recent project they cast. This shows you did your research.]
I have attached my headshot and resume. My reel is available at [link].
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
[Your Name]
[Phone Number]
[Professional Email]
What to Include
- Your name, location, and union status immediately
- Your strongest one or two credits or training highlights
- A specific, genuine reason you are targeting this agency
- Links to your reel and any relevant online profiles
- Professional contact information
What NOT to Include
- Your life story. They do not need to know when you caught the acting bug.
- A list of every credit you have ever had. That is what the resume is for.
- Flattery that is not specific. "I love your agency" means nothing. "I admire your representation of diverse voices in independent film" shows you did homework.
- Desperation. Do not mention how long you have been looking for an agent, how many agencies have turned you down, or how much you "need" this.
- Demands or conditions. Do not open with what you expect from an agency. Open with what you bring.
- Bulk language. If your letter could be sent to any agency without changing a word, it is not specific enough. Customize each submission.
- Attachments beyond what they asked for. Headshot, resume, and reel link. That is it unless they specifically request additional materials.
Audition Tracker
Track every submission and audition. This data helps you spot patterns -- which platforms produce callbacks, which types of roles you book most, which casting directors respond to you. Over time, this becomes an invaluable strategic tool.
The Template
| Date | Project | Role | Platform | Submitted By | Callback? | Booked? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-15 | Untitled Crime Drama | Det. Walsh (Co-Star) | Actors Access | Self | No | No | Strong tape, good reader |
| 2026-03-16 | National Bank Spot | Dad | Casting Networks | Agent | Yes | No | Callback 3/20, went to avail |
| 2026-03-18 | The Last Garden | Marcus (Supporting) | Actors Access | Agent | Yes | Yes | Booked 4/1 shoot date |
| 2026-03-22 | Streaming Series S2 | Officer (Co-Star) | Cast It | Self | No | No | Tight turnaround, 2hr window |
| 2026-03-25 | Regional Auto Spot | Husband | Casting Frontier | Agent | Yes | Pending | Director session 3/28 |
Columns Explained
- Date: When you submitted or taped.
- Project: The project name (or "Untitled ___" if under NDA or working title).
- Role: Character name and role size (Lead, Supporting, Co-Star, Guest Star, etc.).
- Platform: Which casting platform the breakdown came from.
- Submitted By: Self-submission or agent/manager submission. Tracking this helps you understand the ratio.
- Callback? Did you get called back, put on avail, or pinned?
- Booked? Did you book the job?
- Notes: Anything relevant -- who was in the room, what you wore, how the tape felt, any feedback you received.
What to Track Over Time
After a few months of consistent tracking, review your data:
- Callback rate by platform: Are you getting more callbacks from one platform than others? That tells you where to focus your energy.
- Self-submission vs. agent submission callback rate: This helps you understand the value each channel provides.
- Role types booked: Are you booking more commercials than theatrical? More co-stars than guest stars? This data informs your strategy.
- Seasonal patterns: Many actors notice patterns in when they are most active -- pilot season, commercial season, etc.
Tax Deduction Checklist for Performers
Acting is a business, and you should be treating it like one when it comes to taxes. These are common deductible expenses for working actors in the United States. Keep receipts for everything.
Important: This is general information, not tax advice. Tax laws change, and individual circumstances vary. Consult a qualified tax professional -- ideally one who works with entertainers -- for your specific situation. Actors in Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand have different tax systems and different deductible categories.
Commonly Deductible Expenses
Marketing and Promotion
- Headshot photography sessions
- Headshot reproductions and printing
- Demo reel production and editing
- Website hosting and domain fees
- Professional social media management (if used for career promotion)
- Business cards and postcards
- Postage for mailings to agents, casting directors
Training and Education
- Acting classes and workshops
- Private coaching sessions (including audition coaching)
- Vocal lessons (singing and speech/dialect)
- Dance classes
- Stage combat or movement classes
- Improv classes
- Industry seminars and conferences
Casting and Submissions
- Casting platform subscriptions (Actors Access, Casting Networks, Backstage, etc.)
- Self-tape submission fees
- Breakdown service subscriptions
Equipment (Self-Tape Setup)
- Camera or phone used primarily for taping (percentage of use)
- Lighting equipment
- Microphones and audio equipment
- Tripods and mounting equipment
- Backdrops and stands
- Teleprompter apps and software
Union Dues and Representation
- SAG-AFTRA annual dues
- AEA (Equity) annual dues
- Agent commissions (10%)
- Manager commissions (10-15%)
- Entertainment attorney fees
Travel and Transportation
- Mileage to and from auditions
- Parking at audition locations
- Tolls
- Public transportation fares to auditions and work
- Travel to out-of-town auditions (airfare, hotel, meals)
- Travel to on-set work locations
Wardrobe and Grooming
- Audition wardrobe (items used exclusively for auditions, not everyday wear)
- Costume pieces required for specific roles
- Hair styling for auditions and professional events
- Makeup used specifically for auditions and on-camera work
- Dry cleaning of audition and performance wardrobe
Office and Business Expenses
- Home office or dedicated taping space (percentage of home used)
- Internet service (percentage used for business -- submissions, research, taping)
- Phone service (percentage used for business)
- Printer ink and paper for sides and scripts
- Script purchases for scene study or audition prep
Professional Services
- Tax preparation fees (entertainment-focused accountant)
- Legal fees for contract review
- Bookkeeping services
Entertainment Industry Specific
- Trade publication subscriptions
- Screening memberships (for SAG-AFTRA members during awards season)
- Industry networking event tickets
- Research materials for roles (books, streaming subscriptions used for role prep)
Record-Keeping Tips
- Keep every receipt. Digital is fine -- take a photo of paper receipts immediately. They fade.
- Use a separate bank account or credit card for acting-related expenses. This makes tracking dramatically easier.
- Log your mileage. Use a mileage tracking app. The IRS requires contemporaneous records for vehicle deductions.
- Track by category. Set up simple spreadsheet categories that match the list above.
- Save your calendar. Your audition schedule, class schedule, and work dates all serve as supporting documentation.
- Document the business purpose. For each expense, note what it was for: "Acting class - Meisner technique" is better than just "Class."
International Performers
- Canada: ACTRA members should consult with a Canadian tax professional familiar with performer deductions. Many similar categories apply under the Canadian tax system, though the rules and thresholds differ.
- United Kingdom: HMRC has specific guidelines for performers. Spotlight membership, Equity dues, and agent commissions are generally deductible. UK performers can claim expenses through self-assessment.
- Australia: The ATO recognizes performing artists as a specific occupation category with distinct deduction rules. MEAA dues, agent fees, and many of the same categories apply, but the documentation requirements and thresholds differ from the US.
- New Zealand: IRD allows deductions for work-related expenses. Consult a New Zealand tax professional familiar with the performing arts industry.
Quick Reference: What You Need on Day One
If you are just getting started and feeling overwhelmed by all of this, here is your priority checklist:
- Professional headshots -- This is your number one investment. Everything else follows.
- One casting platform subscription -- The essential one for your market (see the platforms guide).
- A formatted resume -- Use the template above. Even if you have very few credits, format it correctly.
- A self-tape setup -- At minimum, the $50 budget tier from the gear guide.
- A tracking system -- Start tracking every submission from day one. Use the tracker template above or any spreadsheet.
- A tax system -- Start saving receipts now. Do not wait until April to figure this out.
Everything else builds on these six foundations.