Your marketing materials are top quality and up to date. Now you need a winning cover letter to go with your application.
Here are my 8 top tips:
- Take your time!
Never rush a cover letter. This piece of text could be the difference between you being called in or not.
- Personalize.
It’s very obvious when actors are just copying and pasting the same cover letter for all applications. I’ve had so many in that had no relevance to what I as casting whatsoever. It screams ‘I’m not bothered about this project’ which may not be true but that’s how it comes across.
Have a template ready by all means- you don’t have to type the whole thing out time and time again but there are parts of it that you’ll need to edit to suit the role you are going for.
- Research the company.
Would you apply for a job in any other field without researching the company? Hopefully not… The same applies here. Let them know that you do actually know who they are and have seen their previous work. Do you like what they’ve made previously? If yes, tell them. If no, are you applying?
Also- use people’s names and not the company name.
- Show enthusiasm for the project.
They have put their heart and soul into this project and want to know that you share their enthusiasm. Tell them what you think about it (unless you hate it in which case you should probably not apply…)
- Take out unnecessary wording and keep it short.
You don’t need to start with “My name is Bill and I am an actor” (especially if you’re not called Bill- that would just be weird!) because you sign off with your name anyway and you are obviously an actor.
Also don’t use the word versatile- I don’t care if you are versatile, I want to know you are perfect for the project I am casting for.
When you have finished writing, review your cover letter and see if you can cut it down while still getting the points across that you need to.
- Don’t tell them why you want the role… Let them see why they need you!
MOST applications from actors state how much they want the role but most show no inkling of why the project needs you. Step into the shoes of whoever is casting for a minute and think about the following…
- What do you have that makes you perfect for this role?
- What do you have that they need?
- What sets you apart?
- Why would your involvement be beneficial for the project?
- Show personality.
Professionalism does not mean being robotic. People want to work with people- use the same language in your cover letter as you would in everyday life.
- Include links to Actors Access and website (if you have one).
Finally, check your spelling and grammar and you are ready to rock!
You weren’t born to be ordinary… You were born to shine!
Eirian Cohen | “I help new actors to fly into the industry like silver bullets. What you believe, you will achieve” | Founder of Northern Star Acting and co-producer of ESG Media, LTD.
