Top freelance filmmaker sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to write the perfect freelance filmmaker resume experience section
Freelance filmmaker experience section: checklist
- List your positions in chronological or reverse-chronological order;
- Go for 4-6 bullet points;
- Add only relevant work experience;
- Include information about the challenges you’ve faced, the actions you’ve taken, and the results you’ve achieved;
- Use action verbs instead of filler words.
We’ve selected some of the top Freelance Filmmaker resumes made using the Enhancv platform to illustrate what a great experience section looks like. Use them as inspiration when building your own resume:
- . Camera
- Sound
- Editing
- Mixing
- Directing
- Camera Operator
- Film Dubbing
- Sound Mixing
- Editing
- Successfully delivered end to end production for 3 major campaigns (Amazon, WeTransfer, Black Notebook). All 3 films have been very succesful in promoting, driving sales and improving the KPI's by 69% over the benchmark
- Developing concepts and storyboards for advertising and promotional video campaigns with strong optimisation for digital and social platforms
- Liaising with both internally and externally (US) stakeholders for concept and storyboard feedback
- Directing, shooting and editing video content suitable for MOO channels (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest)
- Editing, grading, sound design and adding effects using Adobe Creative Suite - Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve
- Working closely with the Brand and signing off projects before they are presented to the client
- Managing an illustrator/animator, who assists on graphics, animation and production
- Filmed and edited +200 video projects over 3 years
- Delivered excellent work to 30 new clients, 95% of which became long-term clients and specifically requested to work with me on subsequent projects
- Organise all aspects of the video production: planning and coordinating shoots, story boarding, shot-list, venue/studio sourcing and talent liaison
- Editing and creating motion graphics using Adobe Creative Suite - Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve
- Carrying Projects through Development to Post-Production: Developing Concept, Writing Story and Screenplay, Drawing Storyboards, Scouting Locations, Organizing Travel, Renting Equipment, Hiring Crew and Talent, Negotiating Salaries and Terms, Designing and Styling Costumes, Directing and Rehearsing with Actors, Capturing Footage, Editing, Negotiating Music Licensing and Copyrights.
- Working with Clients to ensure product is tailored to their Needs, Vision, and Budget
- Clients Include: TEDx • D&D Productions • Frances Isabel College Star Pilot Episode • BreakOn2 Latin Fusion
- Writer/Director - The Life of Gua (2018 Best Film 48HFP Monart Award)
- Writer/Director - Solitary
- Writer/Director - Pactus
- Collaborate with clients and businesses of all sizes, from pre-production through delivery.
- Managed freelancers and production crew and production budget for each project.
- Direct and lead in field production; set lighting and location, set-up and operate camera(s), audio and oversee the video shoot.
- Post-production editing that ensures high quality work to proper specs utilizing Adobe Creative Cloud and Davinci Resolve.
- Freelance Contractor for productions in the Atlanta area, specifically in camera and editorial departments.
- Managed and operated professional cinema camera setups with values upwardsof $100,000.
- Worked closely with a team of individuals to create videos for clients such as WebMD, LexusNexus, and MinuteMaid.
- Directed my short film "wajeeb-2019".
- Nominated in more than 3 festivals
- Participated in short films as assistant director
- Gained access into Russian-separatist Donetsk in 2015
- Directed my short film "wajeeb-2019".
- Envisioned, wrote and filed US Patent 31828-2-2 “Systems and Methods For Online Pre-purchase Visual Bundling.
- Successfully delivered end to end production for 3 major campaigns (About Us, Vashi Rings and Vashi Voices)
- Filmed and Edited Luxury Weddings and Social Events with high quality standards for more than 30 clients
- Developed and maintained more than 25 sources for ongoing stories
- Directed and shot more than 15 music videos and gained 25+ million views on YouTube.
- Edited 15+ videos for various online content as well as in-store and marketing material.
- Managing teams of +10 people in fast-paced environments with tight deadlines and overnight shifts.
- Credited as director / videographer on 10+ Campaigns / Branded Content.
- Filmed and edited +200 video projects over 3 years
- Won Nikon Global Filmmaking awards " In Every Frame", Iflix Short Film Contest, Best Content Creator Of Chittagong.
- Worked with popular singer "Minar Rahman".
- Worked with popular Creator " Dear Alyne".
- Worked with many other popular Digital Agencies & Companies regarding photo & video project.
- Filmed and edited content for the corporate social media channels, raising audience awareness for the 2020 Spirit Awards by 70% (in comparison to 2018)
- Directed 10 short videos representing different lifestyles during the pandemic that were part of a digital art exhibition
- Helped up-and-coming directors edit their art projects for different awards
- Wrote, directed and produced debut feature film Flight 704 and led digital marketing strategy to raise over $16,000 in crowdfunding campaign.
- Plan, test and deploy digital media assets to support content promotional strategy.
- Produce and direct corporate and narrative video content.
PRO TIP
Show off real numbers that display your accomplishments in past roles. Instead of listing out your responsibilities as Freelance Filmmaker, talk about the measurable impact you made to their business. Did you boost their revenue? Increase customer retention? Mention your proudest points on your resume.
Action verbs for your freelance filmmaker resume
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Freelance filmmaker resume: How to write a strong skills section
The ultimate freelance filmmaker skills section checklist:
- Balance between all kinds of hard skills – technical, analytical, etc.
- When it comes to technical skills, match them to the job description;
- Add keywords present in the job advert to pass ATS;
- Don’t forget to list transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, work ethic, and presentation skills.
Top skills for your freelance filmmaker resume
Upwork
Quickbooks
Microsoft Office
Email clients
PayPal
Budgeting
Marketing
Design
Communication
Leadership and project management
Teamwork
Problem
Solving
Work Ethics
Flexibility
Adaptability
Interpersonall skills
PRO TIP
Avoid getting sidetracked by Applicant tracking software by including a tech skills' section matching the job description and your own qualifications.
Recommended reads.":
Freelance filmmaker resume header: Tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your freelance filmmaker resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
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PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have non-discrimination policies about what kind of information can be included on your Freelance Filmmaker resume. This might include a photo (which is often included in a resume header and might be on personal web pages you link to). You can always email the company’s HR department to ask about their policies before you apply.
Freelance filmmaker resume summary: things to include and things to avoid
Job-winning Freelance Filmmaker resume summary checklist:
- Mention your total years of experience in the field;
- Highlight one or two of your top achievements;
- Avoid getting into too much detail – you’ll do that in the experience section;
- Focus on short sentences that are easy to read and add value to your application.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Highlight specific past projects that you’re most proud of in your summary. It sets an excellent tone for the rest of your resume. You can talk about all of your former jobs in your work experience section later on.
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Highlighting education, courses, and certifications in your freelance filmmaker resume
Education section checklist:
- What? Where? What’s the result? Answer these questions when mentioning education and courses on your resume;
- Give preference to courses and degrees that are relevant to the job position;
- Be honest! Some recruiters love checking with colleges and universities to see if you’ve really been enrolled in them;
- Share more about certifications that have helped you turn into a professional, and mention the bodies that have issued them.
Top certifications for your freelance filmmaker resume
How to Become a Freelance Filmmaker and Travel the World
Step by Step Lessons to Achieve your dream of being a successful creator.
Creative Client Acquisition Course
Learn how to acquire clients as a freelance photographer or filmmaker
The Freelance Masterclass: For Creatives
The Ultimate Guide to Freelancing: Learn to Price Projects, Build Portfolios, Find Clients, Brand Yourself & More!
Freelancing on Upwork & Freelancer.com as a Beginner in 2022
Learn how to apply on projects, Win the jobs you want, Earn big on freelance websites such as Upwork and Freelancer.com.
Complete Guide to Freelancing in 2022: Zero to Mastery
Achieve freelance success on sites like Upwork or Fiverr. Start a home business or side hustle. No experience needed!
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PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Freelance Filmmaker. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
Freelance filmmaker resume format 101
If a couple of years ago Freelance Filmmaker resumes could be text files with no graphic elements, today’s recruiters need a bit more to remember you.
And yet, you can still choose between three basic resume formats:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
But when it comes to choosing the right format for your Freelance Filmmaker resume, there are two factors to keep in mind: your experience and whether you’re looking for an industry change.
The reverse-chronological format is the most common one. That being said, it gives recruiters exactly what they’re used to in terms of order and information. However, it’s not suitable for applicants with employment gaps or not enough experience.
We at Enhancv suggest the functional skills-based resume format for people with limited work experience who find reverse-chronological resumes irrelevant. This format showcases the applicant’s most significant accomplishments, skills, and strengths.
Don’t miss our resume format checklist:
- Go for a traditional easy-to-read resume font sized 10-12p;
- Don’t risk it: choose standard 1-inch resume margins;
- Make sure your Freelance Filmmaker resume fits in one to two pages;
- Save your resume in PDF to avoid having it edited by someone else.
Looking for more tips? Check out our job-winning guide for crafting a resume that gets you remembered!
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PRO TIP
Test your draft Freelance Filmmaker resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.
Other sections for your freelance filmmaker resume
If the position you’re applying for allows for that, you can include some non-traditional sections in your resume. This will add a bit more depth to your application and will also give the hiring manager a better idea of who you are as a person.
Some ideas include:
A freelance filmmaker resume recruiters would love
You’ve drafted an amazing Freelance Filmmaker resume, but are still not sure whether it will make a strong first impression? After all, recruiters go over tens of resumes each day, right?
Right! And the recipe for getting their attention includes a dash of creativity.
What’s more, a creative resume is perfect for adding your personality to the mix. For example, you could mention your favorite books, quotes, movies, or even what your day usually looks like.
Regardless of what you choose, make sure your levels of creativity match the industry, the company, and the position. Otherwise, your resume might look silly and inapt.
What makes a great freelance filmmaker resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
