Lights, camera, action! Too cliché? Once you’re in that chair with that beret and megaphone, you can write a better one. You’ll need a winning filmmaker resume to make that
Your directorial debut might still be on the horizon, but your filmmaker resume needs to shine right now. Think of it as your pitch to the studio execs—every detail needs to convey your vision and expertise.
From pre-production to final cut, let’s create a resume that’s as compelling as the films you aspire to make.
In this guide:
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Looking to get into graduate school? The theater? Teaching? We’ve got all the guides a career-jump-cut-loving filmmaker could want:
Based on an analysis of over 500,000 resumes created in our builder, we found out that*:
- Filmmaker's median resume creation time is 23.4 minutes.
- Story pitching, Post production expertise, Script review, and Staff development were some of the most frequently added skills to film producer resumes.
- Cascade, Primo, and Diamond resume templates were chosen most often for filmmaker resumes.
* The data comes from the last 12 months (August 2023-August 2024).
Edmond S. Carter
Filmmaker
Personal Info
Phone: 803-418-7669
E-mail: edmondcarter@reslab.com
linkedin.com/in/edmondscarter
www.edmond-s-carter.film
Summary
Efficient filmmaker with 5+ years’ experience working with mid-sized crews on projects for film and television. Seeking opportunity to bring unique vision into harmony with Silenced Arms Media’s catalog. At Skidstone Media, streamlined production schedules, saving two weeks and almost 10% of the budget, delivered 98% of projects on time and 87% of projects under budget.
Experience
Director
Skidstone Media, Los Angeles, CA
2017–2020
Cinematographer
Electric Ladybug Media, San Francisco, CA
2015–2017
Education
BA in Film & Television Production, USC Sunnydale
2011–2015
Awards
Independent Projects
Key Skills
Now here’s how to write a filmmaker resume that gets standing ovations:
You don’t just start filming without making hundreds of decisions first. The biggest ones involve framing the narrative and choosing a format.
It’s the same with your filmmaker resume. Sketch out the overall structure first, order your sections, and move onto blocking out each act. Here’s how to make your resume format clean and clear:
Make writing your resume easier by using a resume builder. Choose a modern resume template that’s easy on the eye.
Expert Hint: When it comes to preserving your layout, PDF is like a Region 0 DVD whereas *.docx is like a cardboard box filled with analogue tapes, unlabeled HDDs, and clumps of Post-It notes. That said, always check the job ad and use whatever format they require.
How to start a resume? Write a resume profile. It works just like a movie trailer. You need it to pick out the highlights of your resume and show what you’ve got to offer.
Got experience? Start with a resume summary.
Use:
These resume summary examples show how:
Neither example is bad, right? They’re both pretty good, but ‘pretty good’ is always trumped by ‘better’. The first one is better because:
All well and good, but what if you don’t have any formal work experience? Here’s what:
Write a career objective and zoom in on achievements from your studies, private projects, and any volunteer work you’ve done.
Once again, the first one wins by including relevant achievements, being specific, and focusing on what you can do for the employer.
Expert Hint: Leave writing your resume profile until last. You don’t start putting together a trailer before the film is mostly finished, it’s the same here.
There’s a common theme here. Achievements are superstars—Duties and responsibilities just unpaid extras. Give your resume work history an all-star cast.
How to write job descriptions for filmmakers:
These filmmaker resume examples show how:
Director
Skidstone Media, Los Angeles, CA
2017–2020
Director
Skidstone Media, Los Angeles, CA
2017–2020
Struggling to capture short and sweet achievements and put numbers to them? Use accomplishment statements to help frame your achievements.
Writing an entry-level filmmaker resume? Put the selective focus on achievements from related, non-filmmaker jobs.
Achievements are about showing rather than telling. But there’s a place here for telling, too: A list of skills for a resume.
Just don’t make your skills section an anthology of skills lists you found online. But, to give you a sense of direction, here’s a skills list for reference:
Include only those skills that are relevant to the job ad. It’s called targeting a resume and makes it easier for the document to pass the ATS scan. Aim at a mix of 5-10 soft and technical skills.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.
Your portfolio counts above all else—But it’d be a mistake to neglect your education. A big mistake, and one that too many filmmakers make.
The basics are simple: Degree, school, dates attended.
But then: Add bullet points that speak to achievements and skills. This is an example of what and how:
BA in Film & Television Production, USC Sunnydale
2011–2015
That’s all there is to it and yet it makes such a huge difference.
Low on filmmaker experience? Expand your education section even more by including projects, coursework, and accomplishments that show both technical and soft filmmaker skills.
Expert Hint: Lying on a resume in never a good idea. Experienced recruiters and hiring managers will quickly see through it.
Look at your work experience and skills sections. Doesn’t quite paint a full picture of your work? Worried you don’t stand out enough on paper? Add one or two extra resume sections:
These two filmmaker resume examples show the mark:
Awards
Independent Projects
Awards
Hobbies
Hobbies and interests are absolutely fine, but they have to be relevant—that’s the golden rule for anything you put in your filmmaker resume.
One last take—You’ll need a filmmaker cover letter, unless you’ve been asked not to include one. Writing a cover letter isn’t nearly as difficult as a Tarkovsky film. Failing to include one is a great way to end up in the wrong pile.
Expert Hint: A filmmaker might be asked for more than a written resume. See how to create a video resume worthy of being featured in Cannes.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
For a filmmaker resume that gets eyes on your portfolio:
Use the filmmaker resume template up above. It’s as clean and focused as Mouchette.
Put filmmaker achievementsin your summary/objective, work history, and education sections—you’ve got achievements even if you’re low on paid work experience.
Choose the right filmmaker skills. It’s about what the job ad requires, not what you feel looks best, at least not first and foremost.
Write a filmmaker cover letter. Make it stand out by making it into a highlights reel of achievements, curated with the same passion you bring to your filmmaking.
Need more information or clarification on something covered here? Anything to add? Let us know in the comments section below. We’ll be glad to get back to you.
At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.
Bart Turczynski’s career advice and commentary have been published by Glassdoor, The Chicago Tribune, Workopolis, The Financial Times, Hewlett-Packard, and CareerBuilder, among others. Bart’s mission is to promote the best, data-informed, and up-to-date career advice through numerous online communities and publications. Bart’s lifelong passion for politics and a strong background in psychology make all the advice he publishes unique and supported by detailed research.
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