Background Actor Resume Guide
Background actors provide the backdrop to a production by performing small roles or crowd scenes. They work closely with directors and producers, taking direction from them on how to act in certain situations. Their job is mainly to create an atmosphere of realism for the audience, helping bring stories and characters alive for viewers.
You have the perfect look for a variety of roles in film and television, but casting directors don’t know about you. To get noticed, create an eye-catching resume that highlights your acting experience and skills.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Background Actor Resume Sample
Stacy Terry
Background Actor
[email protected]
993-652-2503
linkedin.com/in/stacy-terry
Summary
Accomplished background actor with 5+ years of experience in film, television, and commercial projects. Possesses a strong eye for detail when portraying various characters on set. Received multiple accolades from directors for outstanding performance and commitment to staying in character at all times. Looking to join ABC Productions as a background actor where I can use my skillset and enthusiasm to bring life to the stories they tell.
Experience
Background Actor, Employer A
Chesapeake, Jan 2018 – Present
- Compiled and maintained a portfolio of acting roles for over 100 background characters, utilizing research and organizational skills to keep track of all casting calls.
- Structured performance scenes according to director’s instructions and rehearsed character lines with other actors; consistently met the expectations of production managers in 45+ TV episodes & commercials aired on prime time networks.
- Revised scripts as needed during film shoots while adhering strictly to safety regulations at all times; reduced shooting delays by 30%.
- Efficiently managed wardrobe changes between takes and assisted costume directors with staging costumes when required; improved overall filming speed by 15 minutes per scene on average.
- Adapted quickly to different sets and characterized numerous personalities based on detailed descriptions provided in advance; successfully completed 10+ projects within tight deadlines without any direction issues from producers or directors.
Background Actor, Employer B
Fontana, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Mentored up to 8 background actors per day on set expectations and etiquette, resulting in a 20% increase in successful take rates.
- Coordinated with production staff and other departments (e.g., props) to ensure that the right costumes, equipment and settings were available for each scene; saved over 13 hours of setup time within two months of employment.
- Resourcefully improvised lines or actions as needed during filming by interpreting scripts from a character’s perspective; earned recognition from directors for playing off-script roles effectively multiple times.
- Interpreted complex direction quickly when performing stunts or fight scenes, leading to fewer takes being required overall compared to other background actors; reduced total retakes by 25%.
- Optimized costume changes between shots according to size/style specifications provided by the director(s); decreased changeover time by 15 minutes per actor on average every week.
Skills
- Memorizing Lines
- Taking Direction
- Working in a Team
- Being Punctual
- Following Safety Protocols
- Staying in Character
- Interacting With Other Actors
- Being Comfortable in Front of a Camera
- Understanding The Script
Education
No Formal Education
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
SAG-AFTRA Background Actor Certification
Screen Actors Guild
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
A resume summary/objective for a background actor should be concise, yet compelling. It’s your chance to highlight the skills and experience that make you stand out from other actors. For example, you could mention how many years of on-set experience you have, any awards or recognition for your acting work, and what makes you an ideal candidate for extra roles in films and television shows.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Amicable background actor with 4+ years of experience in film and television production. Experienced in providing on-camera support for lead actors, as well as engaging nonverbal performance elements that help to create naturalistic scenes. Received positive feedback from directors and producers for bringing life to the set through attention to detail and enthusiasm. Eagerly looking forward to joining your team!
Detail-oriented background actor with over 6 years of experience in film and television productions. Possesses a strong eye for detail and the ability to stay professional under pressure. At ABC, worked as an extra on 30+ projects, including 8 feature films. Received recognition from directors for my enthusiasm and professionalism on set. Eager to use my skills to contribute positively to your production team!
Seasoned background actor with 5+ years of experience in television, film and commercial productions. Expert at following direction while playing various characters on set. Proven track record of providing quality background services to production companies including ABC Studios and XYZ Productions. Recognized for my ability to interact positively with the cast & crew as well as the public on location shoots.
Professional background actor with 5+ years of experience in film, television, and commercial projects. Looking to join ABC Productions as a background talent for their upcoming productions. Talented at blending into the setting and following direction quickly without losing enthusiasm or focus. Received recognition from directors on-set for bringing an extra layer of realism to scenes.
Proficient background actor with 3+ years of experience working on film sets. Passionate about being part of a production team and contributing to the success of any project. Proven ability to follow direction, work flexible hours, and bring an energetic presence that positively impacts cast morale. Looking forward to joining ABC Films as a background actor in their upcoming projects.
Dependable background actor with over 50 movie and television credits. Experienced in working on sets of all sizes, playing a variety of roles from extra to featured background character. Received positive feedback for my flexibility, enthusiasm, and ability to take direction well. Eager to contribute my services as an exceptional background actor at XYZ Productions.
Diligent, detail-oriented background actor with 3+ years of on-set experience. Skilled in executing cues from directors as well as staying in character for long periods of time. Acting credits include roles in three feature films and two television series. Looking to join ABC Productions to bring my enthusiasm and professionalism to their projects.
Passionate background actor with 5+ years of on-set experience in various film and television productions. Seeking to bring my enthusiasm for acting and natural presence to the team at ABC Productions. Key achievements include providing accurate accents, memorizing lines quickly, and always arriving prepared for a shoot or performance.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience section, you should provide details of your background acting work. This section should be written in reverse chronological order, which means the most recent job is listed first.
Stick to bullet points when writing this section; doing so allows the reader to quickly digest what you have said. When listing out each role, take some time to think about how best to explain it and the results achieved from it.
For example, instead of saying “Played a variety of roles,” you could say “Performed as an extra on multiple TV shows and films over five years with featured speaking lines in two productions.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Performed
- Acted
- Memorized
- Followed
- Portrayed
- Dressed
- Rehearsed
- Interacted
- Delivered
- Impersonated
- Adapted
- Interpreted
- Collaborated
- Engaged
- Participated
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Impersonated various characters in over 50 scripted scenes and assisted with additional crowd control activities on-set, ensuring that production objectives were achieved within the allotted time frame.
- Prepared for roles by studying character descriptions & scripts to create authentic personas; brought life to every role played, resulting in a 10% increase in customer satisfaction ratings from directors.
- Confidently took direction from producers regarding props, wardrobe changes and dialogue delivery while remaining open to feedback throughout filming process; received positive reviews from 70+ cast members involved per project.
- Reorganized set pieces as needed during filming breaks, reducing downtime between takes by 17 minutes on average each day; enabled smooth progress of both large scale projects and smaller productions alike.
- Expedited makeup/wardrobe touch ups when necessary before shooting resumed so that actors were ready for their close-up without missing any impromptu cues or directions given by crewmembers or directors.
- Reduced post-production time by memorizing up to five pages of dialogue and taking fewer than 10 takes per scene; successfully represented characters in over 50 projects.
- Accurately portrayed different ages, genders, nationalities and ethnicities while formulating realistic mannerisms for each role; achieved a 100% accuracy rate during filming sessions.
- Memorized scripts quickly and effectively before shooting, delivering lines with proper diction on the first take 95% of the time in order to reduce delays.
- Represented multiple roles within various genres such as comedy skits, TV sitcoms, independent films & commercials; received positive feedback from directors after every job completed.
- Formulated unique backstories for assigned character roles based on limited direction given by producers; enhanced scenes with naturalistic behavior which earned praise from viewers upon release of films/videos.
- Engaged in over 200 background acting roles for various film and television projects, appearing in a total of 50 scenes across 20 episodes.
- Introduced realism to the sets with accurate mannerisms and behavior that corresponded to the era being portrayed; earned praise from directors for my commitment to authenticity.
- Substantially contributed to production value by learning up-to 5 lines per scene, which led to an increase in on-screen time by 11%.
- Portrayed characters ranging from age 10–50 with diverse cultural backgrounds while collaborating closely with main actors during filming shoots and rehearsals sessions.
- Collaborated effectively with production staff members on set while providing valuable feedback regarding wardrobe selection & stylistic cues when needed.
- Utilized knowledge of period costumes, hairstyles and makeup to dress for over 50 roles in film productions; reduced wardrobe preparation time by 30% on average.
- Dressed up as a historical figure or background character while ensuring accuracy of costume details across multiple takes; received positive feedback from directors every time.
- Consistently displayed strong improvisational skills during filming and took initiative to improve scenes with creative ideas approved by the director.
- Presented an eye-catching portfolio of previous work upon request to demonstrate suitability for various acting jobs; secured 10 additional contracts within 6 months after initial hire date.
- Demonstrated exceptional flexibility when asked to take on extra tasks such as being a stand-in, walking props down the set or helping out behind-the-scenes crew members when needed.
- Followed instructions from directors, producers and casting agents to portray various background characters in 10+ film and television productions; ensured that all scenes were accurately captured with minimal retakes.
- Spearheaded the set-up of over 50 intricate movie sets for a popular science fiction series, overseeing props assembly as well as wardrobe selection & management for 30+ actors within 3 days.
- Proficiently used special effects make-up techniques to create lifelike wounds on body doubles while adhering strictly to health & safety protocols during filming sessions; improved cast morale by 45%.
- Facilitated smooth communication between production staff members, ensuring that all requests were fulfilled promptly and efficiently throughout each shoot day; reduced downtime by 20 hours per week overall.
- Improved accuracy of scene reenactments through acting rehearsals scheduled before shooting commenced; significantly shortened editing time by 25% compared to previous projects due to fewer continuity errors detected post-production.
- Rehearsed and performed in over 20 films and television shows, successfully delivering all lines with accuracy while adhering to professional standards of conduct.
- Streamlined filming process by providing timely feedback on script changes/updates and character development; reduced retakes by 33%.
- Interacted with directors, producers, cast members and crew to ensure a smooth production experience for all involved parties.
- Advised upcoming actors on the art of background acting through one-on-one sessions; conducted workshops related to set etiquette & protocol for 50+ individuals each month.
- Successfully completed additional tasks such as hair & makeup styling, prop handling and costume design when requested from site supervisors within allocated timescales.
- Acted as an extra in over 50 film and TV productions, delivering realistic performances with precise direction.
- Participated in various roles from crowd scenes to speaking parts, ensuring that characters were accurately portrayed onscreen.
- Performed multiple takes for each scene while maintaining enthusiasm throughout the entire filming process; reduced reshooting time by 20%.
- Delivered a professional appearance at all times by arriving to set prepared and dressed appropriately as requested; adhered strictly to production guidelines without fail.
- Meticulously followed hair & make-up instructions provided prior to shooting and during breaks; minimized touchups between takes by 25%.
- Competently featured in over 50 background roles, providing support to the main cast and ensuring that scenes were filmed as per script instructions.
- Developed a strong understanding of film production processes by working closely with directors, cinematographers, sound engineers and other crew members; identified potential set problems early on to minimize delays during filming.
- Assessed wardrobe requests from producers and costume designers prior to each shoot day; successfully secured props for 45+ scenes while maintaining budget constraints (+$500).
- Achieved complete accuracy when delivering lines in feature films & TV shows after 8 hours of rehearsal time on average per project; completed shooting within allotted time frames in all cases (95%).
3. Skills
Two organizations that have advertised for a position with the same title may be searching for individuals whose skills are quite different. For instance, one may be looking for a background actor who is experienced in improvisation, while the other might prefer someone with an extensive knowledge of period costumes.
Therefore, it is important to tailor your skills section to each job you are applying for. This will help ensure that your resume contains all the necessary keywords and makes it through any applicant tracking systems used by employers.
In addition to listing relevant skills here, you should also discuss them more thoroughly in other sections such as the summary or experience area.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Being Comfortable in Front of a Camera
- Being Punctual
- Following Safety Protocols
- Interacting With Other Actors
- Memorizing Lines
- Staying in Character
- Staying in Costume and Makeup
- Taking Direction
- Understanding The Script
- Working in a Team
4. Education
Mentioning an education section on your resume is not necessary for a background actor role. If you do want to include it, try to mention courses and subjects relevant to the job you are applying for such as acting or theater classes. Additionally, if you have any awards or honors from school that relate to performance arts, those can be included in this section too.
No Formal Education
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications demonstrate to a potential employer that you have the necessary skills and knowledge for the job. Having certifications can also show your commitment to professional development, as well as your ability to stay up-to-date with industry trends.
Including any relevant certifications in this section of your resume will help demonstrate why you are an ideal candidate for the position. Be sure to include details such as when it was obtained, who issued it, and what topics were covered during certification training.
SAG-AFTRA Background Actor Certification
Screen Actors Guild
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Stacy Terry, this would be Stacy-Terry-resume.pdf or Stacy-Terry-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Writing a cover letter is a great way to make your job application stand out from the competition. It is usually composed of 2-4 paragraphs that provide additional information about you and why you’re an excellent fit for the role.
When writing your cover letter, be sure to include any relevant experience or qualifications that are not already mentioned in your resume. Doing this will help demonstrate why you would be an ideal candidate for the position and give recruiters more insight into who you are as a professional.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Alexa,
I am writing in response to your casting call for background actors for the upcoming film, [film name]. With experience as a professional actor and model, I am confident I would be an excellent addition to your team.
In addition to my experience on camera, I have a natural talent for being photogenic and working well with others. My outgoing personality makes me easy to work with and helps me get along well with other cast and crew members. On set, I am always punctual and prepared, which helps keep production running smoothly.
I understand the importance of following direction and staying in character while filming. As a result, I take direction well and remain focused even during long days of shooting. My goal is always to do whatever it takes to help make the final product look great.
Please find attached a copy of my resume for your review. If you have any questions or would like additional information about my qualifications, please do not hesitate to contact me at [phone number] or [email address]. Thank you for your time; I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Stacy
Background Actor Resume Templates
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