Terminology Tuesday: Featured

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

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