There can sometimes be confusion around the term “featured” — especially when the word can be used in different scenarios.
We see a lot of “featured” roles on resumes and we want to make sure actors know exactly what that means.
Typically, a “featured” role pertains to a background role that may be in front of camera or non-verbally interacting with one of the lead actors.
A featured role does not guarantee more money or a credit.
Sometimes casting offices will be asked to hire a non-speaking role because of the emotional or special skill requirements. Even if the actor is non-speaking, because you are getting paid and credited as a co-star, it IS a co-star job.
Sometimes a featured role can turn into a co-star role on set.
If the director decides to give you a line on set, you’ll automatically be bumped up to a different contract and will need to billed & paid accordingly.
Now for the burning question:
𝕊𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕡𝕦𝕥 𝕒 “𝕗𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕕” 𝕣𝕠𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕦𝕞𝕖?
To answer this question, it’s important to remember what your resume tells us.
Your resume tells us your experience and education—but it also tells us the roles you’ve landed from an audition. The roles that you auditioned for and won over a slew of other actors.
Keep your resume to THESE type of roles if you can. If you haven’t booked anything yet, listing a couple of featured roles to let us know you’ve been on set before is helpful.
But once you start booking more? Leave those featured roles off your resume into your distant, fond memories instead.
#themoreyouknow #thecastingdirectorscut #terminologytuesday