How to Write a Killer Hollywood Cover Letter
Most Hollywood higher-ups read dozens of cover letters and email ‘cover letters’ each week (even more if they are hiring for a specific position). If you want to rise above the hundreds of other applicants and queries in their inbox, your cover letter needs to be creative, provocative, and prove you are the person who can make their life easier (all in a few short paragraphs).
Here are 5 tips for crafting a killer Hollywood cover letter decision-makers won’t be able to ignore…
1. Keep it short and sweet
If you’re writing a cover letter in the body of an email, aim for two short paragraphs at most (in some cases, even a few well-crafted sentences are enough). If it’s more formal and your cover letter is sent as an attachment, keep it to three or four short paragraphs of about three or four sentences each. For example, if you want to be an agent, your first paragraph might be about why you want to be an agent. The second is about you. The third and fourth are about what you can do for the person you’re writing to and how you can add value. You want it to be short and focused but in a creative way, which brings me to —
2. Use your personal style
You only get one or two sentences to get someone interested - so know your personal style and use it to capture the reader’s attention. For example, if you are naturally light-hearted you might start with something clever (one director I know, who has a great sense of humor, put in his cover letters that he was okay with getting turkey sandwiches). If that’s not your style, maybe go with something heartfelt instead - did the person you’re writing to make a film that inspired you to get into show business? Great, mention it! (Just avoid phrases that are desperate or general like, “You’re great!” or “I am your biggest fan” - it’s the worst). Also, whatever you, don’t lie. Embellishing a bit is okay, but no cover letter anecdote is worth ruining your credibility over.
PRO TIP: Always remember to keep it respectful and professional. For example, even if your personal style is casual, it doesn’t mean you can address a cover letter to George Clooney with “Hey George!”
3. How can you help THEM
After you grab the reader’s attention and give some personal background on who you are and what you aspire to (the aspire part is REALLY short) let them know what you can do for them and their company (rather than what they can do for you). In a concrete, quantifiable, and enthusiastic way, spend the next two or three sentences describing what you have to offer. For example, instead of writing that you’re a “fast learner” get more specific with something like, “I taught myself how to use Final Cut Pro in two days so I could edit my student film for a festival deadline.” This specificity shows them that you have concrete and quantifiable software skills, as well as the enthusiasm, initiative, and drive to get a job done under a deadline.
4. The “Ask”
Every cover letter has to include a clear ask for an interview, job, or advice.
If you’re trying to get an internship or job, turn “The Ask” into an offer. For example, “I’d like to offer my enthusiastic services for any entry-level positions you may have.” If you’re sending a more general inquiry to someone in the hopes that they’ll help you “break in” make your ask respectful, direct, and give the person an easy way to say yes (or a gracious way to say no). For example, rather than asking a Hollywood decision maker to help you break in or give you a job, ask them for their time, “I know you’re extremely busy, but I would be grateful for fifteen minutes of your time to hear your story get some advice on breaking into the business.” Everybody loves to talk about themselves, so most Hollywood higher-ups will give you fifteen minutes to tell you how they made it, and if you impress them they might eventually give you the break or job that you actually really want.
5. The close
Wrap things up by thanking them for taking the time to read your letter and let them know you’ll follow up. Taking the onus on yourself rather than expecting them to follow up with you shows initiative, confidence, and persistence (all qualities that are highly valuable in Hollywood).
Did a killer Hollywood cover letter help you land a job in show business? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!
For more industry info and tips check out these additional resources:
To learn how to create your “personal logline” read my free e-book, Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds.
For my in-depth video course on breaking into the business go to: Carole Kirschner’s Hollywood Boot Camp.
And you can find my book, Hollywood Game Plan on Amazon or at Michael Wiese Productions (MWP).