Film CVs for those freelancers working in production are slightly different from those you would send out for positions in other sectors of the industry, or indeed for positions in other industries. This is because a Head of Department (HOD) is looking to employ you for the duration of the production only and as such want to see your most recent film credits - who you've worked on and what the production was.

A CV should ideally contain the following information, but this is only a guide - you will have your own style and preferences but it is important to keep the person who is looking at your CV in mind and tailor it accordingly.

• Your name and contact details


• Your grade and department (eg camera trainee)


• Your recent credits - production, production company, HOD, dates of work (these can include work experience and shadowing but make sure that it is clear that is what it was)


• Any relevant skills - driving license, languages, first aid/health and safety, diving qualifications...


• If you have additional passports/work visas


• Membership to industry guilds or bodies (eg BAFTA, GBCT)


• Any relevant training undertaken (eg technical drawing, 35mm camera familiarization)

Once you have the outline of your details, it is important to bear the following pointers in mind:

• Make sure that your name, grade, department and contact numbers are clearly visible - you won't get the call if someone can't immediately find the information they need.


• Be honest about what you've done and the level you are at - you'll soon be found out if you've exaggerated and that's what people will talk about as opposed to how amenable and skilled you are.


• Put credits in chronological order - if you don't have any credits, put anything which relates to the industry (such as training courses) down.


• Type it using good quality paper and keep it to one page if possible, two maximum.


• Spell check and proof read the whole document - twice!


• Always send a polite covering letter. Make sure you're sending it to the right person and that you've spelt their name correctly. Avoid sending blanket emails; each one should be personal to the individual.


• Make it relevant - tailor your CV to each application.

If you're sending a CV to someone who is not expecting it, it is courteous to apologise for the unsolicited email or letter. This is not only good manners, it will also demonstrate that you have an understanding of how busy they are and that you don't want to impose on either their time or mailbox.

If you have already spoken to them and they have asked you to send a CV in, it is helpful to refer to the phone call in your covering letter - these are busy people and you can rest assured your's will not be the only call and CV they will be receiving.

It's also important to remember that production offices get hundreds of CV's a week and consequently they can't always reply or acknowledge them - don't be too despondent though. You may have to send hundreds out and you'll think you're not getting anywhere but suddenly, the phone will ring with that all important break!