It can’t be stressed too loudly or too often that actors have an obligation to provide good, honest marketing. There are various articles on this website that cover what is expected in the way of headshots and a resume, and if you are fortunate enough to need it, a bio is also acceptable.
After you have the perfect headshot, that represents the “you” that will walk through the door into the casting meeting, and after you have constructed an organized and thorough resume, that clearly represents your experience and abilities…it’s time to construct a basic bio. This is not a press release. This is a longer version of what you would put in the Playbill if you were starring in a play.
It is less about what you’re doing now, and more about how you got here. Where you were born, your training, your early experience, what brought you to Los Angeles, interesting hobbies, humanitarian works, special skills, unusual background (let’s say you studied cooking in Paris, and therefore speak fluent French and can bake a perfect baguette) all should be included to make a verbal picture of the well rounded you. This is a tool your agent and/or publicist will use to introduce you to perspective interviewers, writers, magazines, etc. It is also something that can go along with your picture and resume for general interviews and general casting meetings, to introduce you to new potential employers.
If you are a hustler, you may even generate your own press from time to time in hometown newspapers, on friends’ websites, on websites of theaters you’re working with, etc. and this will be a good starting place for more personal articles to begin.
With all the Internet opportunities for actors and marketing, this is also a good way to start thinking about how to present yourself in an interesting light that strangers (especially those who will hire you) will be encouraged to take a second look. This will hopefully come as an interview or audition.
Be honest, but be colorful. On our “about Joel and Beth” page, you can see samples of our bios, as well as clicking on our personal website links and seeing longer versions at our personal sites. There are also examples on some Facebook fan pages and some IMDB pages. Google actors you’re interested in and see what you can find about them…it will also give you ideas about how to promote yourself.
It’s so odd to adjust to the idea that YOU are the product…but commercial marketing principles apply, and those who are good at marketing have an added shot to success.
Get writing…
Beth