Expert: Kenneth D. Plonkey - 6/18/2011

Question
Hi, I am moving to Los Angeles in a week and I want to send in some resumes to the major production companies and studios. I have 3 resumes, one is a professional resume that has my work experience, one is a Production Assistant resume (which is small, only 3 student films) and the other is my acting resume, which has stage and what films I have been a background in. My question is this: Which resume do I send? If I was to sen one for a production assistant, I would send my PA resume, but none of my work experience is on there. I want to show them I know my way around a set, plus I have taken PA training course.

Answer
Hi Jenna.  If you are moving to LA to seek work as a PA or an actress or both, you may be making a mistake. LA is filled with unemployed PA's and actresses. There are no major studios any more, except Disney, so I don't know where you are planning to send the resumes.  Getting production work is pretty much done by hiring friends and acquaintances.  Getting acting work is impossible without an agent and without being SAG pr SAG eligible. Now. You would not send your general work or professional resume to get a job as an actor or PA. You need a separate resume for each of those two areas. What your best hope is would be to get work on independent films at little or no pay and begin networking to get known. You would have to take more classes in LA as well to build your resume and to network. At the same time, of course, you need a 'day' job, or better for film work, a 'night' job. I can help you get your resumes in order, you will need a professional head shot, business card, and personalized post cards for networking. Contact me at kencosp@aol.com and we can make the best of your situation.  God bless, Doc