Covering Letter

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	Topic: Covering Letter
Posted : 12/08/10 / Views : 2051 / Replies : 20 /
Carrie-Louise.Knight 3 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	What makes a good/excelent covering letter? What should I put in my covering letter to apply for castings? I have tried keeping it brief, being direct and to the point, bigged myself up and nothing seems to catch the eyes of the employer. What am I doing wrong? Please help.. Thanks

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	Reply #1
Posted : 07/08/10
VictoriaClaire.Mu... 4 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	I am in exactly the same situation! I am deff intrested if anybody has any ideas about this!

	Reply #2
Posted : 07/08/10
markkempner 1113 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	OK...this has been well covered in other threads...I get 100's of applications for my Co from actors. The cover letter is important...however, are you both sure your are correct in blaming your cover letters? I have lots to suggest about your profiles...but we need to see what yiu are currently applying for...agents...or jobs or both? So as an example...I set the following example for you two....plus anyone else to chip in of course: CASTING...(Example only) THEATRE Co is looking for hard working actors for it's 2010 season of Drama. A variety of plays for a variety of actors, we are seeking actresses in their 20's. A variety of parts are on offer. -------------- What would you put in your application letters to the casting dep of that theatre? Don't be general with your answer....give the forum an actual application letter in your answer.

Reply #2

Posted : 07/08/10

markkempner
1113 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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OK...this has been well covered in other threads...I get 100's of applications for my Co from actors. The cover letter is important...however, are you both sure your are correct in blaming your cover letters?

I have lots to suggest about your profiles...but we need to see what yiu are currently applying for...agents...or jobs or both?

So as an example...I set the following example for you two....plus anyone else to chip in of course:

CASTING...(Example only)

THEATRE Co is looking for hard working actors for it's 2010 season of Drama. A variety of plays for a variety of actors, we are seeking actresses in their 20's. A variety of parts are on offer.
--------------
What would you put in your application letters to the casting dep of that theatre? Don't be general with your answer....give the forum an actual application letter in your answer.

	Reply #3
Posted : 08/08/10
Karina Marie Booth 2 posts last on: 26/01/12 send private reply	I am currently applying for work and definately feel I am having the same problem. Any advice would be very welcomed.

	Reply #4
Posted : 08/08/10
VictoriaClaire.Mu... 4 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Hello I have experience in various roles and plays, I have just been part of my university degree show of clockwork orange which I muli-roled 8 different characters. I am very flexile and keen. Feel free to contact me at any time if you wish to know any further information. Thanks Victoria Mulqueen

	Reply #5
Posted : 08/08/10
Allan.OKeefe 710 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Well ... having seen the various 'applicants' ... I would say 'SPELLING', to each and everyone !!. Bear with me .. woke up a bit groggy.

	Reply #6
Posted : 08/08/10
VictoriaClaire.Mu... 4 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Sorry I'm dyslxic should prob type in word first then

	Reply #7
Posted : 08/08/10
ClareCameron 212 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Hi Victoria, Forgive me if this seems harsh but hope you'll take it in a 'tough love' sort of a way. Spelling: yes, spellcheck it first, followed by checking grammar, spacing and capital letters. If your letter or email doesn't even look professional at first glance, I think it's unlikely to be read with all due care and attention. I know you're new to this so to give you a quick idea of what you're up against: several years ago, a director friend was casting for a 20-something female role in a fringe production at a known fringe venue, low paid (not profit-share) - for one role he received 400 apps. A casting dir who casts for a significant BBC series says if he puts into Spotlight search: female, 20s playing age, Caucasian, the search will turn up thousands. The odds are against you and, if you can appreciate that from the CD's perspective they're being inundated, you need to ensure everything you send out is of professional standards so that content gets read and not thrown aside because of poor presentation. We live in a world where we are marketed to constantly; you need to learn to pitch yourself in an over-saturated market. Next, use the language of a professional and also language that is recognised and used in the industry. "I have experience in various roles and plays" tells me nothing about either the type of shows you've been in or the type of characters you've played especially when I then look at your CV and your training roles aren't detailed. How about: I've recently completed a BA Hons in Theatre Arts and during the course of my training played (insert a role or play that is significant to the casting you're currently applying for)OR.. played a number of lead roles/character roles including (insert as before). Our final year showing was 'A Clockwork Orange' in which I played multiple-roles including (insert more salient stuff)OR I am adept at playing multiple characters and appeared in roles as diverse as XX and YY in our final year showing of 'A Clockwork Orange' If you want to highlight the fact that you've done TIE, list the productions on your CV or, if it was as a workshop leader/facilitator, again, use language that conveys something and which re-assures people ie although I am only a recent graduate, I have a great deal of experience at leading (and planning..?) workshops for children. Working in this capacity/as a leader has allowed me to utilise my flexibility/learn to improvise around the demands of a 'live' audience.... I am keen to work in (fringe/with children/interactive theatre) and would welcome the opportunity to audition for XXX... To sumarise: -Know where you are in the industry and what people are looking for. - Know your casting type. - Use the resources which are readily available to you ie this thread on this forum; other people's profiles and websites for comparison; inbuilt spellchecker. - Above all, remember that this is a business and you should be functioning as a professional in this job, as you would in any career. Victoria, forgive me using you as an example but I hope that this helps both you and Carina and Carrie-Louise. Incidentally, I've scrolled back over this and corrected typos about five times now. There are very few second chances in a competitive industry. Although the CCP forum is a little more forgiving! Best of luck all of you.

Reply #7

Posted : 08/08/10

ClareCameron
212 posts
last on: 07/02/12
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Hi Victoria,

Forgive me if this seems harsh but hope you'll take it in a 'tough love' sort of a way. Spelling: yes, spellcheck it first, followed by checking grammar, spacing and capital letters. If your letter or email doesn't even look professional at first glance, I think it's unlikely to be read with all due care and attention.

I know you're new to this so to give you a quick idea of what you're up against: several years ago, a director friend was casting for a 20-something female role in a fringe production at a known fringe venue, low paid (not profit-share) - for one role he received 400 apps. A casting dir who casts for a significant BBC series says if he puts into Spotlight search: female, 20s playing age, Caucasian, the search will turn up thousands. The odds are against you and, if you can appreciate that from the CD's perspective they're being inundated, you need to ensure everything you send out is of professional standards so that content gets read and not thrown aside because of poor presentation. We live in a world where we are marketed to constantly; you need to learn to pitch yourself in an over-saturated market.

Next, use the language of a professional and also language that is recognised and used in the industry. "I have experience in various roles and plays" tells me nothing about either the type of shows you've been in or the type of characters you've played especially when I then look at your CV and your training roles aren't detailed. How about: I've recently completed a BA Hons in Theatre Arts and during the course of my training played (insert a role or play that is significant to the casting you're currently applying for)OR.. played a number of lead roles/character roles including (insert as before). Our final year showing was 'A Clockwork Orange' in which I played multiple-roles including (insert more salient stuff)OR I am adept at playing multiple characters and appeared in roles as diverse as XX and YY in our final year showing of 'A Clockwork Orange'

If you want to highlight the fact that you've done TIE, list the productions on your CV or, if it was as a workshop leader/facilitator, again, use language that conveys something and which re-assures people ie although I am only a recent graduate, I have a great deal of experience at leading (and planning..?) workshops for children. Working in this capacity/as a leader has allowed me to utilise my flexibility/learn to improvise around the demands of a 'live' audience....

I am keen to work in (fringe/with children/interactive theatre) and would welcome the opportunity to audition for XXX...

To sumarise:
-Know where you are in the industry and what people are looking for.
- Know your casting type.
- Use the resources which are readily available to you ie this thread on this forum; other people's profiles and websites for comparison; inbuilt spellchecker.

- Above all, remember that this is a business and you should be functioning as a professional in this job, as you would in any career.

Victoria, forgive me using you as an example but I hope that this helps both you and Carina and Carrie-Louise. Incidentally, I've scrolled back over this and corrected typos about five times now. There are very few second chances in a competitive industry. Although the CCP forum is a little more forgiving!

Best of luck all of you.

	Reply #8
Posted : 08/08/10
VictoriaClaire.Mu... 4 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Thankyou for your help much appriciated :)

	Reply #9
Posted : 09/08/10
Allan.OKeefe 710 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Vic print that letter off ... frame it, good and large, hang it over your keyboard ... you will get to look at it more than you look at your boyfriend .

	Reply #10
Posted : 09/08/10
dangregory 118 posts last on: 07/02/12 send private reply	Excellent advice Clare.

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