What is the point of an actress cover letter?

Question

I am going to send my resume headshots and a cover letter to the agents areound here. But I don't know the purpose of the cover letter I have the one I wrote but i want to know what it is suppose to be about and the goal of the cover letter, and how to stand out in the cover letter.As an actress I have struggled to find auditions, but with an agent the auditions I would go to would skyrocket. I have been acting since I was 4 years old, and the first time I was on stage I realized that I love the feeling of the stage I am not one of the peoples looking for a way to get rich quick. I realize that you do not become a star over night, but that it takes time, effort and talent and I have that. If you chose to represent me it would not be a mistake I would go to the auditions I would work hard to become even better actress. Performing is what I choose to do with my life, and I have known that acting is what I want to do for the longest time and I hope that you chose to help me on this road

Then it has my email and phone number.

Please ignore the fact that it doesnt have puncuation. I had to delet some of it cause it didnt fit

Answer 1

A cover letter serves similar purposes whether it for a regular job or a creative job such as yours. It is designed to create interest in the candidate. For creative people, the cover letter must grab attention--appropriately. For example, say I was aspiring to be a character actress. My letter might begin:

Slam! The door flew open so hard that it smacked against the wall. Through the sudden opening darted a small, round figure, crowned by a mop of white hair. She rushed up to the first person she saw, wagging a bony finger in his face.
"I told you NEVER to come back here!" she cried, in a voice that was part gravel, part foghorn...

That was how I played the scene when cast as Mabel, the slightly insane proprietor of a run down New York City hotel. It wasn't just the makeup and the hair--I had to become this wacky old lady in order to make the audience part of the story. That's how I view myself as an actress.

++++
Okay, do you see what I have done? In one short section, I not only showed my experience, but gave some insight into how hard I worked to get a character right. Now, hopefully, the agent will be compelled to look at my resume and headshots as well. He or she may feel that they would like to know more. That's what a cover letter does.

It should be completely error-free, professional, no gimmics. Good luck!!!

Answer 2

I have to say, I have never sent a coverletter with any of my acting resumes, unless I was applying to a spot with the company (residency). If it is to an agent, I can see where you might send one.

Also, I have found that agents work better for film. (Depending on where you were, an agent for theatre is rather useless...I am in Phoenix, so most agents here, find jobs for actors in film...)

I would imagine that the acting coverletter would be much like a standard resumer coverletter for day jobs. You can stand out by asking questions. For example: I believe being a professional actress is not just a dream for me, but a goal. Wouldn't that be the type of person you are looking for? (somewhat like that, but written better! :) )

Good Luck!

Answer 3

The only thing correct in the above letters is that your cover letter helps the agent get to know you. But skip the overly dramatic or cute approach.. To learn how to write a cover letter get Brian O'Neil's Acting as a Business. To learn how to get ready to appl;y to an agent get The Tao of Acting, Mentoring for Aspiring Actors by writing to [e-mail] where you can also get all of your questions about acting answered for free