Tips for Writing a Bio, Personal
Statement, and Screenwriting Resume


Perhaps the greatest thing you can do to advance your film/TV writing career is to have a few scorching hot writing samples that burn themselves into a reader's mind even after they've reached the last page.... but what good are your scorching hot samples if you can't get anybody to take a chance on you as a writer and actually read them? 

This is where bios, personal statements and screenwriting resumes come in.  

These bits of accessory writing are equally important to helping you get your foot in the ever-elusive door. An intriguing bio or personal statement can get a manager, showrunner, program head (or any person on the other end of the hiring table) excited about you and eager to read your work. However, it's not always easy to convince someone of your wit and storytelling abilities in as little real estate as a few paragraphs... or even a few short sentences.  

To fill the voracious appetite amongst program participants and library patrons for information on how to write short bios and the like, we offer these tips. Take note, though, because while we can offer tips on what to do and not do, bios and personal statements are just that—personal—and your individuality will ultimately help you stand out. But first…
 

WHAT IS A BIO? 

A bio is typically a short 3-4 sentence blurb (unless a particular opportunity you're applying for asks for longer). It's an elevator pitch of yourself, an autobiography in lightning form. 

A short bio is required for just about everything. You'll find it necessary for fellowship applications, profiles on CoverFly or The Black List and even sometimes in query or cover letters, so it's good to have an evergreen version sitting on your computer, ready to go. You can tweak it depending on the opportunity at hand.  
 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD BIO? 

Again, it's a clear, concise overview of YOU. It's the little sample someone takes at the ice cream shop before deciding they want the full scoop, so keep it warm, humorous and punchy. Above all, speak to who you are as a person and writer. Lean into what makes you unique.

A good 3-4 sentence bio typically includes the following: 

  • Your background: your identifiers, where you're from, your earlier life (especially if you did something interesting before becoming a film/TV writer that gives you an atypical perspective) 

  • How you came to be a writer (only if it's a quick and memorable story) 

  • The types of stories you have a proclivity/talent/desire for telling 

  • Key, big achievements in your writing career 

That's it. The information doesn't have to all be included or even presented in that order, but this is more or less what someone is looking for when they read your bio.  

THINGS TO AVOID IN A BIO: 

  • People want to see your wit, yes, but don't overdo it in the hopes of standing out. It has the potential to come off as cringey. Present the basic information with a little humor and be yourself.  

  • Avoid negativity. This is even more relevant in personal statements, but it's useful to remember here too. Put your most positive foot forward. Your bio is a place to show your enthusiasm for film/TV writing. Pessimism about the industry (even if you feel pessimistic) doesn't come off well when you're trying to sell someone on your talents or convince them to want to work with you.  

  • Also, note that people want to see your achievements, but not all of them. You have room for 1-2 (maaaybe 3) highlights, but be very specific. Don't just call yourself an "Award-winning" filmmaker or writer. That tells us nothing.  

WHAT IS A PERSONAL STATEMENT? 

Different from a short bio, a personal statement is usually a few paragraphs and elaborates further on your background, but especially on why you've chosen this career path for yourself and what your aspirations are as a writer. Like your bio, a personal statement is moldable depending on what you're using it for. If you're applying for a particular opportunity, you'll want to use the statement to explain how the opportunity at hand aligns with your goals and why you'd be an asset to the program or project.  

A personal statement can cover roughly the same territory as a bio, but speaks more in-depth to your background, your storytelling sensibilities, your goals and especially what you bring to a writing table.  
 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PERSONAL STATEMENT?  

Consider both your bio and your personal statement the first samples of your writing that someone will encounter.   

  • Keep it warm and witty even if you write drama (and especially if you're a comedy writer).  

  • A good personal statement is grounded and focused.  

  • It's common for writers to be lofty and present their highest ambitions for their careers in their personal statements. It's okay if your goal is to be the next Shonda Rhimes and to create lots of shows, but what are the next steps you're taking to get there? What are your current, tenable goals? Keep your aspirations immediate. People want to work with others who know themselves, who’ve given thought and strategy to their careers, and whose feet are both on the ground.  

  • Lean into the things that make you unique. This can include tragedy and trauma, but remember to focus on what makes you happy and enthusiastic about writing or working in the industry.  

THINGS TO AVOID IN A PERSONAL STATEMENT: 

  • Stating that you’re meant to write film/TV because you love film/TV. Frankly, a love of film/TV is a given. If you’re going to talk about your love of television or cinema, avoid being vague. Tell us the story about a show that influenced your storytelling and your goals.  

  • Again, negativity. It’s good to explain your struggles, but – if you can – try to spin things positively. Optimism is so much more appealing than pessimism in a personal statement. Are you still writing and developing your craft despite a lack of opportunities or a big break? Showing growth in the face of rejection is massively appealing. Use your personal statement to embrace it! 

 
WHAT IS A SCREENWRITING RESUME? 

It's like a regular professional resume, but focuses exclusively on writing and industry experience. It's the part where you actually get to list out all the awards that you’ve won that you weren’t allowed to brag about in your short bio.  

 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD SCREENWRITING RESUME? 

Think of your resume like the bibliography for your bio and personal statements. Most people don’t look at the resume first. They’ll see your bio first then look at your resume to digest the bullet points.   

A solid screenwriting resume typically includes: 

  • Writing experience 

  • Relevant Professional Experience 

  • Awards, Honors 

  • Education/Fellowships 

  • Relevant skills/interests 

You don’t have to present this information in the order above – and you don’t have to include all of it. Just keep it brief, clean and easy to look at on the page.  The big question is, how does one fashion a compelling screenwriting resume if they don’t yet have much writing or industry experience?  This question is actually useful for everyone because it illustrates where to put emphasis in your resume. 

If you don’t have screenwriting experience specifically, it can help to include ANY writing experience. Were you a journalist? Do you have a popular blog? Do you write graphic novels? Stage plays? ANY writing experience shows that you have an interest in writing and is helpful to include in your resume. 

Likewise, any professional experience that illustrates your unique background and suitability to a film/TV writing career is relevant to include. You can include things that make you a unique person rather than just film industry experience.  

Always show that you’re moving in the direction of film/TV, if possible. Especially if you’re a newer film/TV writer, it might be helpful to start your resume with a career objective OR use your short bio as a summary at the top. 

 

THINGS TO AVOID IN A SCREENWRITING RESUME:

  • You don’t want a resume that’s too long or too cluttered. You’re a screenwriter, after all. You should be able to illustrate that you can keep a page lean and clean. Only include relevant details, achievements and experiences. Brief is good. 

  • You don’t need to overembellish to make yourself sound more experienced than you are. Be truthful – even if that means expressing your relative newness to the field.  

Be honest, be warm and be yourself. That’s the best way to get people to want to read your work.