Writing a short Bio

I guess not then, or maybe everyone is out enjoying this glorious weather.

• 13 years ago
• 1

Hey Peter,

When I have to write short bio I tend to dig out old theatre programmes and look at how others do it. Either that or have a look at the websites of current productions which tend to also have the actors bios on it.

Grant

• 13 years ago
• 2

It's prob coz none of us never know what to write in Biog's!!

Just do a brief resume on where you trained…if you did…or what you were doing prior to becoming an actor.

Mention 3-4 other roles you have done in film and or TV. Ie: Suffolk born Peter Barfield,trained at……. Previous films and roles have included (start with the best ones!) He Played Fred in Gone with the Wind, Rocky in Joe Blogg's Rain Man etc etc

Less is more….you only need to fill 3-4 lines.

• 13 years ago
• 3

Give 'em hell, Pete ... "the finest thing to come out of Britain since lollipops and Will Shakespeare ... look out Hollywoodland .. heeeeeere's Pete."
Give them something understated, like that. You can't go wrong !!!.

• 13 years ago
• 4

Hello Peter, I had to write a bio for the Edinburgh festival last year, I just read everyone else and copied as best as I could. Check'em out here:

http://www.siegeperilous.co.uk/king_arthur09/cast.htm

Hope it helps and good luck.

Damien.

• 13 years ago
• 5

If you include a quotation which inspires you it may make it more vibrant.

• 13 years ago
• 6

Hey! Mark is right - less is more. Factual information (which play you were in, where and what part you played etc..) speaks for the kind of actor you are and illustrates your expertise/versatility. If you have worked in several areas Theatre/Tv and Film/Commercials/Corporate etc.. split them up into groups. If you have training, start with "Having trained at blah, blah..." And I finish with a mention of my agent "Vanessa is represented by..."(if you have one) because it sounds good and the agent likes it!! xx Well done for needing one :) x Hope the film goes really well

• 13 years ago
• 7

Hi Peter...

It is protocol to write your BIO in the third person i.e. like an entry in a theatre programme about a member of the cast.

Precede with a short historical description of yourself, thence a short evolution of your progress through the business (with named characters and venues that you consider important), thence highlighting most recent roles( currently in production scenarios) and, finally, a brief description of those roles that please you most.

Look at my own BIO for guidance.
It may not be the best but it will give you a good idea of what you should be writing.
(Perhaps not as long as mine...lol)

http://www.nigelwinder.com/bio.html

Good Luck!

• 13 years ago
• 8

The style of biog varies from production to production; if I'm unsure I ask to see some of the other biogs, to get an idea of what style is expected. I also ask myself who I realistically expect/ hope might read the biog.
Generally, I'd agree with the 'less is more' advice, without suggesting that you should sell yourself short.
As some-one whose career has not scaled lofty heights yet, I observe that the higher status the artist, the more licence taken with the biog! Maybe I'm imagining that.

• 13 years ago
• 9