Special Skills for an Acting Resume

The glamor and admiration associated with the entertainment industry seems to appeal to a lot of youngsters. Therefore, giving shape to their dreams, zero down to taking this as a career option. In this glamor world, nothing works without a solid work experience and an impressive resume. An acting resume has a standard format and layout. The sub division of your resume into different sections will clearly explain your strengths and skills. For freshmen, it's important you add a special skills section on your resume. This will help you exhibit the special skills you possess and add that little personality to your resume. This section will also overlook the work experience problem. Including special skills will also set you apart from the competition, and would win you a meeting with a casting director or an agent! This article on Buzzle focuses on helping struggling actors with the special skills to be included in an acting resume.

Special Skills for an Acting Resume

Now the thumb rule is that, all that you mention about your special skills has to be unique and more of what not many can do. You cannot be writing about how hardworking you are, or you being punctual. These are things the casting director is going to assume, that you are. You have to jot down all those skills that can be performed on stage or on screen. You can also mention about your awards, your dancing styles or singing. To win yourself an identity in this showbiz, you have to exhibit the special talent or skills you possess.

Don't Lie! This is the basic rule of every resume be it an acting or any other business resume. You may be cast because of your special skill(s). For example, if you have mentioned about you knowing a certain dance form, let's say tango, and when asked to perform, oops! You cannot, because you lied. You would be thrown out right away! You would not only be losing your role but through a word of mouth you would also earn a bad reputation. Result, no one would want to hire you.

Also remember to mention those things as special skills for which you have had a formal training, and can actually have an easy discussion or talk about, when asked about the same. For example, if you are mentioning about a certain language known or regional dialect known, make sure you rehearse certain lines in case they ask you to perform or prove it. You never know, you may be remembered for your confident discussion or performance about the special skill, and called for a role!

List of Special Skills for an Acting Resume

Here is a basic guideline about the skills to be considered under the section of special skills in your acting resume. These special skills will only add that extra spunk required to help you get your dream role. Special skills will help you climb the ladder of stardom and increase your chances of being short listed for a particular role. These skills also give other contenders tough competition and makes your resume stand apart, ultimately winning you the role. So here you go. Action!

• Clowning
• Singing
• Stunt Work
• Special Tricks like juggling, baton twirling, etc.
• Stage Wordplay
• Different accents and regional dialects known
• Ability to speak different languages with the same fluency as your mother tongue.
• Bar-tending tricks like fancy mixing skills or those blimey bottle tricks
• Skateboarding
• Swimming (include about the training and the level you are at)
• Dance (list about the different dance forms known like Tango, Salsa, Hip Hop, etc., also mention the level and training acquired from)
• Horse Back-riding
• Theatrical Sword Fighting
• Firearms
• Yoga
• Aerobics
• Weightlifting
• Driver's license (mention if you have one for driving a truck as well)
• Computer or typing skills
• Archery
• Unarmed Combat
• Rappelling (also mention about other mountain climbing skills)
• Defensive Driving
• Tongue Twisters
• Martial Art
• Ability to play musical instruments. (specify)
• Characterization- the ability to create a believable character and a sense of truth about the same

Note: Mention of only those skills you have formal training in or your well versed with. Do not lie!

Most importantly, you are not going to get any fruits of networking unless you sow some seeds. So, go out there, do your research, start your conversations, be yourself, build up a good network, and submit your resume. Make sure you include these special skills in your acting resume, which will only add more weight and make your resume look impressive. You're sure to be on a role, I mean roll then!!!