Film Resume Examples
Simplify the resume writing process with LiveCareer’s Resume Builder. Our film resume examples and step-by-step writing guide take the guesswork out of creating a winning resume.
Our Recommended Template
Popular Templates in the Film
Table of Contents
Film Resume
Film Cover Letter
Create Your Film
Resume in 5 Easy Steps
Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Film Resume
Attention to detail matters in the film industry. LiveCareer’s Resume Builder offers specific, professionally crafted text suggestions for you to plug into your resume. Use these pre-written phrases as is, or tweak them as you see fit to match your experience and goals.
Here are some examples of descriptive job duties and responsibilities that our certified resume writers might provide:
- Delivered edits with multiple camera angle choices, titles, graphics, audio and special effects
- Collaborated with composers to decide on musical scores and select music for final film
- Saved $250,000 by implementing cost-saving initiatives that addressed long-standing problems at the studio
- Coordinated with a team of eight producers and on-air talent to create program content, new ideas and segments
6 Dos and Don’ts for Writing a Film Resume
- Do explain your accomplishments in tangible terms. Instead of including that you “organized digital video,” for example, note that you “maintained and organized digital video files within a library of over 2,000 assets.” This shows potential employers the scope of your experience and how you can contribute to their project right away.
- Do include positive reviews. Make sure they’re from prominent film critics or reputable publications though. A blurb from a rave review by the veteran film critic in your local newspaper can provide a valuable boost to your resume. Praise for your lighting design from “TarantinoFan72” on an anonymous internet forum? Not so much.
- Do name-drop when relevant. As with most sectors of the entertainment industry, star power fuels film production. If you’ve worked closely with recognizable, influential talent or played a role in an important project, note that on your resume. Better still, include what you learned from the experience by providing specific details.
- Don’t include every project you’ve ever worked on. At best, a laundry list of projects creates a cluttered and visually unappealing resume. At worst, it can overwhelm hiring managers and earn your resume a one-way ticket to the recycling bin.
- Don’t forget to include your technology skills. While it may seem like a no-brainer that, as a film editing candidate, for example, you’re proficient with After Effects, you should note this on your resume anyway. Avoid forcing hiring managers to make assumptions.
- Don’t forget to proofread. Creativity doesn’t free you from the constraints of traditional grammar and punctuation. In fact, letting typos or awkward phrasing into your film resume may tell hiring managers you lack the attention to detail necessary to prevent continuity errors or other mistakes on set.
Beat the ATS with These Film Resume Skills
Many employment managers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to save valuable time during the hiring process. Here’s how it works:
The company establishes a cache of keywords that reflect the skills most desired. Human resources staff plug these into an ATS, and the software separates applicants’ resumes into two piles. Those that include the requested keywords move on to the next stage of the hiring process. Those that don’t hit the recycling bin.
LiveCareer’s Resume Builder helps job seekers include specific film industry phrases necessary to beat an ATS:
- Stunts knowledge
- Production management
- Lighting design
- Dolly experience
- Location scouting
Film Resumes for Every Professional Level
This skill-focused resume utilizes a functional format in order to minimize the job seeker’s brief work history and instead highlight the myriad skills developed thus far. It starts with a detailed personal statement before moving into a three-part summary of qualifications that provides a succinct overview of abilities. The bulk of the resume then explains those skills in tangible terms, ideally establishing that this candidate is very qualified for an entry-level position in the studio.
Build My Resume
A combination resume format is often an excellent choice for job seekers in the middle of their careers because it allows them to showcase their skills and work histories in near-equal measure. In this example, the candidate’s professional summary and skills sections work together to present an easy-to-read overview of his abilities. That’s followed by a work history that, while slightly longer in length, doesn’t overwhelm the snapshot of their skills as it details their experience in concrete terms.
Build My Resume
For film industry veterans, a chronological resume is a brilliant way to chart a litany of accomplishments. In this example, the candidate’s work history occupies more than two-thirds of the page — and with good reason. She has vast experience in film, and she uses her resume to present both the specifics and the scope of her work history. This lets potential collaborators see precisely how she might contribute to future projects in impactful ways.
Build My ResumeMore film resume samples
Find resume examples for your desired film career. Get access to expert writing recommendations, do’s and don’ts and everything you need to write a perfect resume.
Resume Success Stories
Statistics and Facts About Film Jobs
Popular Job Titles in the Film Industry
and Their Median Hourly Wages
| 0 | $25 | $50 |
|---|---|---|
| Producer | $34.46 | |
| Director | $34.46 | |
| Film and Video Editor | $28.36 | |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $20.99 | |
| Actor | $17.54 | |
| Motion Picture Projectionist | $10.94 |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET
Projected Job Growth Between 2018 and 2028
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET
Most Common Race or Ethnicity of Entertainment Workforce
| 0 | 50% | 100% |
|---|---|---|
| White | 79.8 percent | |
| Black | 6.89% | |
| Asian | 6.63% |
