Cover letters
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Hey everyone
I could really do with some pointers on how to write a good cover letter.
Letters aren't exactly my forte and I just can't seem to get it right. I don't want to seem over keen but i want to sound interested and but of course you need to stand out right!
Any tips? pointers?
Any help would be fantastic.#
Take care
Cat xx :)
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Yoo spelt advice wrong two.
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Oi Keith, thats rich coming from the man who just miss-spelt 'You!' Lol Talk about 'Pot calling the Kettle black! *McMurphy suddenly realises he is not totally infallible himself, cringing at his shocking use of slang; 'Oi'! DOH!*
methinks he did that on purpose, considering he used two instead of too.
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Yes, thank you Rebecca, it was a joak. Arf!
...and probably best to ignore "miss-spelt"... Although I'm sure Mr and Mrs Spelt are incredibly proud of her...
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Okay, okay! Glad to see your on the ball Becs; sorry Keith! Your sly sophisticated wit cleary went right over my head! ;@) And Hugh, gimme (sorry) GIVE ME a break; I (cheated) and did spell check in word for 'mispelt'(God I'm so sad!) and 'miss-spelt' was only version it accepted, so there! (How do you spell that, anyway?!) Oh, and no Mr and Mrs Spelt weren't proud; they had her adopted, claiming she was an accident: Ba Doom -CHA :@)
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But, in all seriousness, we're having a laugh at our own expense about this, yet it could all too easily be a firm of casting directors chortling over a submission, in which case the joke would be on us. It proves that, as has already been said, we are communicators and need to be vigilant about our use of the written as well as the spoken word.
Hi everyone
Just a quick tale about the dangers of not checking your covering letters. I wrote a covering letter not so long ago for a tour of a musical show celebrating the work of The Carpenters and Dusty Springfield. I was writing about how the tone of my voice was very suitable for the work of Dusty Springfield, and I was going to write 'The Carpenters' but I decided to put the lead singers name as that is who I was comparing myself to. Unfortunately I couldnt for a moment remember the singers name...then it came to me...of course, its Carol! So I happily finished my email sent it. What a Knob! I actually sent this letter off saying I had an excellent voice for the work of Carol Carpenter!
So there you go, always check your work before you send it off.
PS Her name is actually Karen, if anyone didnt know
I'm flummoxed - I went to a casting workshop a few years back with Beth Charkham who said that photos should ALWAYS be attached to CV's (with a sticker in case of detachment)
Hi Clare
We were told at drama school to never staple but always attach them with a paper clip, and obviously sticker on the back with your name etc. However, I was at an audition the other day where they specified for the cv and photo to be stapled together!
Hi Clare, hope you are well,
Yep you are right you shouldn't staple them as it
damages the photo and is likely to get ripped.
You can get sticky labels that are 10x8, print your cv on the label and stick it to the back of the photo.
This was they never get seperated.
Now that's what I call genius! cheers guys
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The staple thing is, I think, very much a personal preference on the part of some agencies and casting directors. For instance, when I first went looking for an agent I had a couple of sets of details returned with the photo stapled to the CV, presumably because that was the favoured way of doing things in-house at those particular places. I know it also used to be common practise in the US which, since she does a lot of international casting, may be why Beth Charkham recommends it. It does however ruin your photos, therefore I would always favour paper clips.
On my label I have my name, telephone numbers and e-mail address, agent's address, number and e-mail, Spotlight page number and online view pin (not forgetting the photographer). I reckon that lot should do the trick.
right, bringing back the old post as people seem to be asking for it again. Sound advice as ever, but I would disagree with having your cv on the back of your photo (sorry rebecca!), as I know that some people like to be able to see both at the same time, even if it's just a quick glance back and forth. Although I suppose if you have a thumbnail type pic in your cv that wouldn't matter).
and best best mistake ever - an old friend of mine was sending out a batch of emails to agents, ending in the ever popular 'kind regards'. It was only several hours of correspondance down the line that he realised his finger had slipped on the 'g' key, rounding of all his efforts with 'kind retards'!
yeah that was just another idea.. each to your own really! :)
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Kind retards. Classic! That has had me chortling at my keyboard for several minutes.
The Simon Dunmore book mentioned earlier is a must-have in any actors collection. It's a great reference tool.
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Hello,
I would say keep it very short and to the point. you don't need anything obvious like: I am writing because, or i am interested. They know you are writing and are interested in the project. no gimmicks, they might laugh then chuck it. Let them know why you want the job and why you would be suitable.
I hope that helps. it looks like everyone has given you plenty of info, we will see you soon very successful.
phillip
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