resume w/ submission?

[wasup jude]

Is it acceptable to include a copy of your resume or a personal bio to an agent / manager / producer who has requested your script? Does anyone do this? After all, we are supposed to be selling ourselves as well as our script, right? Let's here it!

WJ

[AnconRanger]

I wouldn't send a resume, especially to a producer.

I think a brief bio paragraph is fine in the cover letter (as long as that paragraph is fairly weighty in terms of writing experience, publishing credentials, related career expertise, recognized awards and achievements, etc).

If you think your bio is probably not as impressive as some of the other bios they receive, let your writing sell you as a writer until you build an impressive writer's resume. It all depends on what you can include.

But regardless, I wouldn't include a resume. I am curious what others think on this.

[JakeSchuster aka Ostroff]

If you've had experience as a professional writer (fiction included), it's important to let readers know of it. It pegs you as a career writer and not a hobbyist and they'll look at you more seriously.

[wasup jude]

Ancon:

I see your point. Granted, my bio is not as impressive as some. But, it does shows that I am serious about writing and the cinema arts, and that I have made some minor accomplishments in the field.

Jake:

Are you suggesting that a one page resume would be acceptable with a script submission? My resume does include my writing background, (scripts, journalism and technical), education, awards, and film background, (documentaries and short student films). Am I overdoing it or should I include this?

Any other suggestions would be great.

WJ

[AnconRanger]

Jude,

Your background, especially if it includes publishing credits, does sound like it would work well for you BRIEFLY summed up in a "bio" paragraph.

Never heard of enclosing a resume with a submission...it just doesn't sound good to me for some reason.

Just my novice opinion.

[JakeSchuster aka Ostroff]

Ancon's right. A single paragraph listing your published work and awards should be sufficient.

[ProjectSturges]

Here's what one top agent said at last week's WGA Words Into Pictures conference, in the context of submitting query letters. "Tell us about your writing, not about yourself."

[AnconRanger]

I think if you've been published, won awards, have an extensive writing background or education, etc., it does speak very much about the writing being pitched. It tells the reader that the writer's words in the past have proven value---people have paid for them before, etc. Like Jake said, they're not dealing with a "hobby" writer, but a serious one.

Including where you went to college, majored in English, and worked on the high school paper should not be included. I do think writing credentials that carry weight should. Just me.

[wasup jude]

I'm glad I posted this question BEFORE I started doing it. Sounded like a good idea at the time. Guess I'll just stick with the one paragraph bio in my cover letter and leave it at that.

ProjectS:

That's interesting, but I'm referring to requested script submissions, not queries. Thanks anyway!

WJ