A Beginner-Friendly Guide That Helps You Look Professional (Even If You've Never Booked a Role)
I remember the first time I tried to make an acting CV with 'nothing' to put on it. I stared at a blank document, then started typing and deleting the same sentence over and over. It felt like everyone else had credits, training, and fancy theatre names and all I had was naked enthusiasm.
If you're hoping your CV will lead to real opportunities, understanding how professional casting works and where to find acting auditions is just as important as the document itself.
Here's the truth: Casting teams don't need you to have a long list of credits. They need you to be clear, easy to understand, and ready to work. Your CV isn't a trophy cabinet - it's a casting tool. Your job is to make it easy for someone to say: 'Yes, this person fits. Let's bring them in.'
If you have no experience, your CV still has value because it answers practical questions:
Most beginners lose opportunities not because they lack credits, but because the CV looks messy, confusing, or padded with things that don't help.
Keep it to one page. Two pages is overkill when you're starting out.
Your header should be instantly readable. No logos. No decorative fonts. No paragraphs.
In the UK, many professional actors use a Spotlight profile as their main casting CV, and you can learn more about industry standards through Equity, the UK trade union for performers.
If you don't have representation, that's fine. Do not write 'seeking representation' at the top - keep it neutral.
Here's the trick: you're not trying to pretend you've done huge productions. You're showing relevant proof that you can handle a set, a brief, or a performance environment.
You have three honest options:
This includes anything performance-adjacent that shows reliability and ability:
If you've done acting classes where you performed scenes, you can list them as training performance work:
If you have absolutely nothing, you can include a short, honest line instead of leaving it blank:
Credits: Currently building credits through training and short projects. Self-tape available.
That's it. Clean and confident. Then focus on training and skills.
Casting teams like training because it signals commitment and basic technique. You don't need drama school. A solid short course can be enough to look credible.
List training like this:
If your training is minimal, that's okay, just don't pad it with unrelated certificates. Focus on what helps you audition.
Skills are one of the fastest ways for a beginner to stand out — but only if you can actually do them under pressure.
Strong beginner-friendly skill categories:
If you've got one genuinely useful skill, for example, advanced swimming, horseback riding, boxing, or fluent bilingual ability, that alone can land you work faster than a long list of vague claims.
Keep stats short. Put them near the bottom.
Avoid listing exact weight. Casting doesn't need it and it can age badly.
Your acting CV and headshot are a package. If your CV is clean but the photo looks like a cropped selfie with a busy background, you'll lose clicks.
Beginner headshot basics:
If you're building your first credits, a solid headshot plus a tidy CV can outperform someone with more credits but poor presentation.
Use this as a structure (not as text to copy word-for-word):
Name Surname
London, UK. email@example.com +44…
Showreel: yourlink. Self-tape: yourlink
Selected Experience
Student Film - Supporting - University Production - 2026
Scene Showcase - Lead (scene study) - Tutor Name - 2026
Background - Featured Extra - Production (if allowed) - 2026
Training
On-Camera Acting - Studio / Tutor - 6 weeks - 2026
Improvisation - Workshop Provider - Weekend - 2026
Skills
Accents: General American (confident), Northern (native)
Sports: Swimming (strong), Football (club level)
Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational)
Stats
Playing Age: 18 to 25 • Height: 5'9" • Base: London • Willing to travel: Yes
If you're new, your goal isn't to create the 'perfect' CV. Your goal is to create a CV that gets you onto real sets and into real auditions, so the CV improves naturally.
A smart sequence looks like this:
If you want to start applying right away, use the casting search and filter by country / age / gender:
Do I need an acting CV to be an extra?
Often no, but having one can help you look organised and serious, especially for featured background.
Can I put school plays on an acting CV?
If you're very new, yes, but label it clearly (e.g. 'School Production'). Replace it as soon as you gain newer credits.
Should I call it an acting CV or acting resume?
UK audiences usually say 'acting CV'. US audiences often say 'acting resume'. Your page can naturally mention both terms in the body text, but keep the document title consistent.
The fastest way to improve an acting CV is to use it. Start small, apply consistently, and understand the different kinds of roles productions cast for, from film extra work to commercials and streaming projects. You can see a full overview of the types of casting calls shared on Fame Street.
If you're new and want a clear overview of what gets posted (film extras, TV, commercials, online projects and more), visit:
What Types of Casting Calls We Post.
Ready to see current opportunities?
Join Fame Street to access casting calls and apply as they are released.
How to Become a TV or Film Extra
Acting Auditions: How to Find Roles
Beginner Guide To Casting Calls
How to Become an Actor in the UK
How To Apply For Acting Auditions