Does anybody know anything about how to do an acting portfolio??

Question

When I say acting portfolio I mean about a portfolio that mentions your expiriences in acting, but I dont know if you put pictures or just write page after page.

I just want to know what kind of stuff do you put in it, is it just writing...like a resume?

Answer 1

Actors use a headshot and a resume, not a portfolio. A resume is a list of your experience. Always go by what your agent wants, but basically you list your union affiliations, personal stats and contact info and all resumes regardless. If you're auditioning for film & TV you usually have those sections first with 3 columns.

If you have the Film section first, Column 1 is the name of the film. Column 2 is either the role you played or the type of role you played ie. MARY / LEAD. Column 3 is the name of the Director.

The next section is labeled Television. The three column format is: Column 1 is the name of the show. Column 2 is the name or type of role (co-star, featured, under 5, etc.). Column 3 is the Network like Fox, CBS, etc.

Sometimes the above sections are switched around. Ask your agent for their preference. **If your primary focus is theatre, then that section goes first.

Next comes Theatre. Column 1 is the name of the show (Phantom of the Opera), Column 2 is your role (Christine Daae) & Column 3 is the name of the theatre and city & state if it fits.

After that you sometimes have a section labeled Commercials, but usually you only type "List avaiable upon request" regardless of how much or how little experience you have in this area :-)

Then you might have a special skills section where you can list if you ride horses, do gymnastics, speak 6 languages, or whatever you do that might make you different than other people.

There are plenty of examples available online if you do a search. I say if you're just submitting pick a format similar to what I've described. Leave out any sections that do not currently apply to you and space things nicely. Line up your columns neatly. I'm sure this is not the only way to do a resume, but it's how my agent told me to do it and it's how I've seen some website suggest to do it.

Your photo is stapled on the back so that it can be flipped over to view either the resume or the photo. Your resume needs to fit one 1 single page, no more than that.

Good luck

Answer 2

(1.) Actors do NOT use acting portfolios,
( 2.) Actors ONLY use a HEADSHOT and RESUME,
( 3.) We have NO use for acting portfolios.
( 4.) If someone asked you to prepare an acting portfolio:
( 5.) They did not study and act in the USA,
( 6.) They are very old and did not study/perform in the USA,
( 7.) They do NOT know anything about the acting business,
( 9.) We use monologues for audition purposes,
(10.) We use headshots/resumes.
(11.) You obviously talked to someone with ZERO experience with acting, in the USA.

Answer 3

I don't think that pictures would apply in this situation. Rather, I think a summary of the things you've partaken of, or the parts you've played would be more fitting, along with a headshot.

Answer 4

For Acting, I would recommend

http://www.hollywoodnorth.com