Film Resume Examples
Featured Resume Examples
Additional top-searched film resume examples are for video editor, videographer and animator. If you’re looking for a different job title, scroll down, we have many more great examples below.
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Roles in Film By Type
Here you’ll find links to all the resume examples we have for film job titles organized by: animation roles, editing roles, production roles and writing roles.
Animation Roles
Editing Roles
Production Roles
Writing Roles
Film Cover Letters
Job Outlook
We live in a media-driven world and there’s no shortage of demand for talented professionals in the film industry.
By 2029, employment demand for directors and producers is expected to increase 10% while jobs for film and video editors will see a whopping 22% jump, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
These numbers are encouraging, but it’s still necessary to have a great resume in order to land the specific job that you want.
Make sure your resume impresses employers by following our professional writing tips.
3 Tips for Writing Film Resumes
1. Choose the right format for your resume
As you know from your work in film, great organization is the key to making sure shoots go well.
When it comes to resumes, the resume format is the way in which your resume is organized. Deciding on the best format before you write your resume is every bit as important as scouting scene locations or getting the right camera angle.
There are three common resume formats: chronological, functional and hybrid.
The big difference between these formats is where the main focus is placed in the resume, whether it’s on your work experience or if more weight is given to your skills and education.
Chronological formats best serve candidates who have at least five years’ experience working in the film industry. This format puts the emphasis on roles you’ve held, duties you’ve performed, and shows a career progression.
If you have the experience to use one, this should be your go-to format.
However, if you’re fresh out of school or transferring from a different industry, you should choose a different format that is a better fit for your experience level.
Functional formats are recommended if you have less than two years’ experience as a film professional. This format gives greater emphasis on your skills and education, which takes attention away from your lack of experience.
A hybrid format is a combination of the functional and chronological formats that features a more even balance between your work history and skills. If you’ve worked for more than two years in film, but less than five total, use this format.
2. Promote your skills
Each role in film may require its own unique skills or abilities, but there are some skills that apply across the industry.
Try to include six-to-eight important skills that you possess on your resume.
Universally-desired film skills often include:
Pay close attention to the job posting or ad — the phrases and keywords used are your best indication of exactly what the position seeks in a candidate.
Show that you pay detailed attention by mirroring back some of those key skills the employer mentions when they apply to your skill set.
3. Use a template to make sure your resume looks amazing
The film industry is as visual as it gets. That’s why it’s really important that you use a resume template so that employers get a sense of your eye for visual aesthetics and a polished look.
A template is a preformatted document created by a professional designer to look sharp, professional, and to make creating a resume faster and easier.
All you have to do is select one that you like and fill in your personal information. After that, just save your resume in a desired format and you’re ready to start applying to jobs.
JobHero has some great resume templates to use.
Even better, JobHero features a that allows you to choose from a selection of templates and takes the automation even further.
The builder provides suggested phrases to describe your work history that were written specifically for the job title that you’re applying for.
JobHero’s is like writing with a film veteran behind you to give you practical advice every step of the way.
FAQ
How much does a job in films get paid?
In 2019, the average salary for producers and directors was $74,420, $55,160 for camera operators and $63,780 for video editors.
All of these figures skew above the national average salary, so consider yourself fortunate if you work in this industry.
This above-average salary is another great reason why you should consider using a to create your resume, and ensure it gets noticed by hiring managers.
What should I put on my resume for the film industry?
The main selling points of your film resume should be found in your skills and work experience sections. Those are the main spaces where you have to show employers that you’re the right person for the job.
Do so by talking about the experience you have in film, responsibilities you’ve held and the projects that you’re proud of.
Another good tactic is to grab the attention of hiring managers by including as many numbers as possible on your resume.
Numbers will not only grab attention, they give a much better idea of what you’re capable of achieving.
For example, a video editor could include figures like these to better convey the scope of their work:
It’s in your best interest to use numbers that make you look good, however, don’t get too eager to impress by lying or embellishing.
How do I list education on a film resume?
Advanced education may not always be required for roles in the film industry. However, it’s still expected that you include an education section on your resume.
If you have attended college, you don’t have to list high school or prior education.
List the name of the institution that you attended, its city/state location, and if applicable, the degree you earned.
It might look something like this:
California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
BA, Film Studies
It used to be customary to list the year that you graduated from university, but including the date with your degree has the unintended effect of indicating your age, which brings up hiring bias issues.
The new preferred practice is to only include the years you attended an institution if you did not graduate.
What kind of work experience should I put on a film resume?
If you can, keep all the work experience you include in a resume focused on your film and creative visual work.
The more your work history aligns with the position that you’re applying for, the more managers will give you serious consideration for the job.
Try to include details about your previous roles that you believe will be useful in this new role.
If you’re fresh out of school or new to the film field, you should include any unpaid experience or student films that you worked on.
However, try to limit discussing work from outside industries unless you used skills that are relevant in film such as teamwork, media creation, digital editing, storytelling or visual composition.
Should I include a cover letter with my film resume?
Yes, it’s in your best interest to include a cover letter when you submit your film resume.
You don’t want to miss this chance to really sell yourself and what film skills you bring to the table.
If you can, try to tell a story that highlights some of your career achievements or demonstrates the arc of your professional growth.
To begin writing your own letter, check out JobHero’s film cover letter examples page — it has plenty of examples of well-done cover letters that you can use to get some great ideas for your own.
If you want even more resources, JobHero also has a step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter that will break down each section for you.