How to Write an Acting Cover Letter

January 27, 2020 | Rachel Frawley

Cover letters are beasts of fashion. While they can be swayed by time, preference, technology and intention, they also maintain time-honored traditions of structure. Before you dive in, if you have any resources to draw from, find examples. Look at cover letters from actors who signed with the agent, who book consistently. If you know anyone on the other side of the table, ask what kinds of cover letters get read. In the meantime, here are some thoughts to get you started.

  1. Know When to Write One. Cover letters are not meant for all situations. The primary times you will need one as an actor are when you are submitting to agencies, or perhaps to a manager. Occasionally you might update a casting director directly, more likely with a postcard than a cover letter, but ideally, your agent should be doing this.
  2. Keep it Short. Brevity is your friend. You need to catch attention, get to the point, make it personal but not too personal, and get out. No one is going to want to read a lengthy, rambling cover letter. Stay concise.
  3. Adhere to Structure. Cover letters thrive on structure! Below you can find a breakdown to get you started.

 

*GREETING/NAME,

*Introduction: 1-2 sentence pleasantry, greeting. Express that you value their time and wish to be direct.

*Reinforce Connection: We met [WHERE AND WHEN you met the concerned party]. Alternately, here is where you mention whoever is referring you.

*Present Evidence: Since then, I have been______. WHAT have you been working on and auditioning for? Include callbacks, bookings, etc. IMPORTANT: You have to have something to mention in this section. An updated, quality reel is very good here.

*State Purpose: WHY are you reaching out to them? Example: I am currently seeking representation. I am clear on where I fit [insert type] and my website/materials are updated to reflect that.

*Reinforce Purpose and Include Expectations:

Tailor this to each letter specifically. 

If not right now, I wish you the best with [project/season/etc].

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you

*Sign off.

While it’s good to keep notes and cover letter templates on hand for reference, be sure to personalize each one to the specific audience and purpose. A good practice would be to start a file and save the cover letters you write for future reference. At the end of the day, keep it professional, keep it short, and keep it personal.

Related articles:
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Building a Character with the Enneagram
Get to Know the Casting Director: Erica A. Hart
3 Tips To Get You Ready for Auditions
What To Do When You Don’t Have Time To Prepare
 
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