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Demo Reel: Creating Your Own Scenes

Demo Reels: Creating Your Own Material

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Actors, here are a few rules of thumb when producing scenes SPECIFICALLY for your demo reel:

Make it look like it’s from a real project.

  • Don’t shoot a scene with the camera ONLY on you. Sure, it’s YOUR reel, but if you don’t show your scene partner/the setting you’re in, it feels more like a taped audition than something that’s been produced. (And PLEASE use more than just a medium shot. No director in their right mind shoots an entire scene from one focal length.)

Spend the time/money to make it look and sound good.

  • Use a quality camera, real lights and mics and then edit carefully and make sure you mix your sound. Nothing screams “FAKE SCENE” more than one of these elements being subpar.

Make sure your scene partner is a real actor, and be thoughtful about who you choose.

  • These people will have a role on YOUR reel. They need to be solid and giving, not drawing all of the attention.

Choose or write a scene that highlights YOUR character.

  • This should be common sense, but I’ve seen many a clip where the actor clearly wanted to play a specific character or moment and didn’t pay attention to the other elements in the scene, namely that the other character had the better arc. Again, if too much attention is focused on your scene partner(s), then this activity is moot.

If you choose to write a scene, be VERY honest with yourself about your writing skills.

  • An original scene is the best choice when shooting material for your reel. However not everyone can write dialogue. If you are the scribe, get feedback from your peers before filming your work. If you’re questioning your writing abilities, try to partner with a writer to craft a scene for you.
    • Also… E.D.I.T. Of all the original scenes I’ve watched, (if you follow me you know I’ve seen A LOT,) 98% of them could use a good edit. Less is more.

If you are choosing previously produced material, do not choose any famous or well known scenes.

The long and the short of it is this: if you are going to create content for your reel, take time and spend some effort (and if needed, some cash,) to do it right.

Demo Reels: The Basics

Demo Reels: The Basics

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Your reel is so, SO important.

Often times, it’s the very first taste we have of your abilities as an actor. Sometimes, it serves as a reminder of who you are, and occasionally, it proves that you’re capable of handling a specific role. Your reel is meant to sell you; to agents, to casting directors, to producers, execs, etc.

While there are about a billion things we can say about reels, these four points are what I consider to be the absolute basics, when compiling your demo reel:

1. Less is More: keep it short and sweet.

ONLY put your best quality (acting and technical,) and most current clips on your reel.

  • If you work often, you should update your reel with new (HIGH QUALITY) stuff as frequently as you can. (And even though you loved the work you did on CHEERS or SEINFELD, those clips are too old for us to see what you look/sound like now. Keep the credit on your resume, but take the material off of your reel.)
  • Two-three minutes worth of material is about all we need. Only have 45 seconds or one minute worth of clips? That’s ok, too.

HINT: Leaving us wanting more will often result in an audition…

2. Open with your BEST scene.

It might be the only thing we see, so start with your strongest work.

  • This also means that you should skip the opening video or photo montage. Open with a title card of your name or just jump right into the first clip. Either way, we should be seeing a scene within the first five seconds of your reel.
  • Try not to start with a scene where you are doing an accent, or are in crazy make-up or period costume. We want to see and hear YOU. Save that work for a little later in your reel, if you can. (However, if it’s truly your best scene, then put it first.)

3. Seriously, skip the fancy editing tricks.

Your reel is meant to show off your acting chops, not your Final Cut skills.

  • Sometimes, casting will need to edit your reel to pull out a specific scene, or even reorder your material. Want to know the first things that get dumped in the trash? All your cool-looking edits and fades.
  • Two basic, helpful edit tools: A title card with your name and contact (either at the beginning or the end,) and a chyron of the project name in the corner of each clip. Everything else is extraneous.

4. It doesn’t matter if your reel is one big clip, or separated out into individual scenes/clips.

Since there is no “industry standard” for this, it should be decided by you and your reps (and your bank account – these uploads/clips cost money, after all):

  • If you DO have all your material in one big clip, make sure your reps have access to the individual scenes (in a shared folder, through your website, etc.) It may help when they’re pitching you for a specific role.
  • Some people have separate reels for their comedy and drama work. Some have a separate reel for commercials or stunts. If you have enough material to fill different kinds of reels, go for it. If not, put it all together in one. Simple as that.

Remember, your reel is meant to SELL YOU.

If you’re not completely proud of a clip, don’t use it on your demo. It’s better to have no reel than one that will harm your chances of getting in the room or booking the job.