What’s The Best Way To Make A Decent video reel?
A Video Reel, or demo reel as it’s called in some places, is one of the most important things an actor can have. With film, TV, and streaming being the main focus of the acting industry, agents and casting directors will almost always want to see your work on camera before signing you or bringing you in for an interview. So how do we make a Video Reel that captivates our audience and gets us more professional opportunities?
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A Video Reel is no longer a single, static thing. A reel used to have an obvious definition: actors would agonize over the ideal cut of their performance and assemble it all on DVD (or VHS!) at the end of the process. It was a tangible thing you could hold in your hands and mail out at the end of the process. This old notion of a reel persists today. Still, it’s less important in today’s industry climate because speed-reels, self-tape reels, monologues to camera, and runtimes from one to seven minutes are all popular among actors.
What do you want it to achieve when sending your Video Reel to industry people? Instead of agonizing over how to make it perfect, think about its purpose.
The Two Main Purposes of a Video Reel
There are two primary goals for an actor’s Video Reel. The first is to capture the interest of an agent or manager so that they will help build your career. The second goal is to gain more work directly by listing your reel on a casting profile. It allows industry professionals seeking new talent to see your work and consider you for future projects.
Why you need a reel and what should be included in it depends on your purpose for having one. It will guide you to scenes that fit, the optimal length, and how to make a Video Reel that advances your acting career.
If you’re trying to sign with a manager as a young actor and submit a seven-minute epic with every short film you’ve ever made spliced together, for example, this is an awful idea. You’ll bore them to death, and they won’t respond! However, if you are a seasoned actor who has previously worked on films and TV shows, having a more extended reel showcasing your range and professional work may be beneficial. It allows you to demonstrate your expertise while displaying your content and flexibility to the industry. In this situation, it acts more like a visual CV.
Always know what you’re looking for and make a reel to match. You will discuss this in more depth in the sections below.
The Options for Video Reels
These three methods are the primary ways actors compile Video Reels. All can be successful, and which route you go will depend on time, budget, and where you stand in your career journey.
#1 Rent a professional rod and pay for it.
If you’re looking for a high-quality, professional Video Reel, it’s often easiest to buy a package deal from a company that specializes in them. These reels typically comprise 2-3 scenes and last just as long. Plus, you can be confident you’ll end up with an excellent final product–something that’s not always guaranteed when producing your reel. If you connect with the Video Reel company, they have past examples of their work that you like, and you’re willing to invest money into it, this is a great option for highlighting your skills.
#2 Make a reel of your previous work.
The alternative is to create a reel from your current professional work, which many people think of when discussing Video Reels. Of course, not everyone has done professional work or enough to make up a complete Video Reel. If you fall into this category, you may have to wait until you’ve worked in several more film and TV roles. Many actors make their reels using short films and student features. In nearly all cases, this is a blunder. The quality of these films is typically not good enough, and if they were well-made, the writing and performance would almost certainly be low. Sometimes this sort of thing works. If you’ve worked on some fantastic projects—maybe higher-budget short films or web series—you may use them in your reel, but try to keep it free of mediocre short film clips. Keep in mind that the acting has to take center stage. If your acting isn’t up to snuff, leave it out.
#3 Collab with your friends
Another alternative is to make a reel with your friends. This might entail collaborating with some filmmaking buddies or getting in touch with some film school students. We’ll get into more detail later on, but it’s a great place to start for actors. Remember that if you’re filming something yourself, keep it as simple as possible. You’ll probably be using a basic setup, so shoot a scene that doesn’t require too many gadgets or complicated lighting techniques.
#4 A video reel of scenes I’ve taped by myself.
The final alternative is to create a Video Reel using professionally shot self-tapes (you may shoot them yourself at home, but make sure you have a nice-looking setup or book in at a self-tape studio). These days, many casting directors enjoy watching self-tapes from actors because that’s how they like to work. In certain situations, they even prefer it! This is a very cost-effective and doable option if you’re starting.
You may use a bit of all four of these alternatives in your Video Reel to produce an excellent one. However, don’t employ self-tapes with professionally filmed work since it might be strange. Maintain the same style throughout your reel.
Video Reel Tips
Is it necessary to pay for a reel? Select a reputable firm.
This may appear to be an obvious concept. However, you would be shocked at how many overpriced, low-quality Video Reel producers are. Always seek advice from your peers and get a second opinion on the company’s samples through their website and social media accounts. If you know anybody who has worked with a specific firm, look at their Video Reel to see what parts they like. Inquire about how they felt working with the firm they employed. Not only is it important that your Video Reel looks good, but you should also feel comfortable with the team or director who is filming it. Some professionals see making Video Reels as beneath them, while others take pride in the experience.
Picking an appropriate scene is important.
Check to see if the setting is appropriate. Choose a location you are comfortable with but also demonstrates your ability and range. If you have no preference for the characters you play, we recommend doing something brief and basic that lasts around two minutes. However, choose a scene that reflects your style or character if you want to expose yourself as a certain sort of actor. Always remember what type of work you truly want to do and how capable an actor you are.
Find A Good Scene Partner
Don’t expect to be able to get help with your Video Reel from anyone. Actors are reacting, and having a good scene partner will greatly help your Video Reel. Please make sure you’re comfortable with the person you choose because it’ll make a big difference in how effective your work appears. If the episode is split between both of you, that’s fantastic, but double-check to ensure neither of you loses out. Choose a scene that works for both of you. It might take some time, but it’s worth the investment if the alternative is re-shooting.
Rehearse And Prepare Thoroughly
Make sure you’re well-rehearsed before the shoot begins. Things are likely to change on the day, so the more comfortable you are with your lines and overall scenario, the freer you will be to act and explore. If you’re performing your scene with a buddy, meet up ahead of time and do some practice. You want it to remain unpredictable; don’t rehearse for hours—but make sure both of you are comfortable with your lines and have a common vision for the sequence.
They may make the same remarks about preparation if you’re creating your Video Reel. Have all of your equipment, settings, designs, and so on ready to go so that on the day of the performance, all you have on your mind is performing.
Keep It Short And Sweet
While it’s tempting to show off all of your great acting moments, anything over three minutes is TOO LONG. Keep it simple and sweet—and only include your greatest efforts! As far as possible, aim for two to three short scenes. When a casting director looks at a scene and discovers that it’s only 60-90 seconds long, they’re much more likely to invest that time.
Keep Your Content Fresh
It is crucial that we, as actors, are always increasing our skillset and growing. This means updating your Video Reel at least once a year. If you’re lucky, recent jobs will have given you new footage to display, which can take the place of older work. Casting directors like seeing an updated reel that shows what an actor looks like and talent currently because it allows them to make more informed decisions about casting calls.
Don’t Make It Too Shiny
It can be tricky to distinguish between “professional” and “glamorous.” Utilize natural beauty for a more classy reel that showcases your acting abilities rather than how photogenic you are. Remember, it’s about focusing on the scene over other flashy details like hair and makeup.
Avoid Well-known Scripts
Meryl Streep’s scene in Sophie’s Choice is an iconic movie moment, but it might not be the best choice for your audition. Instead, look for material that shows off your range and abilities. The Internet offers a world of possibilities for finding excellent scripts. For example, watch independent films and underrated TV series to expand your options beyond what’s popular on Netflix.
Do It Yourself
Remember that you don’t have to pay for a professional Video Reel; many agents and casting directors prefer self-taped reels unless they contain genuine professional material.
As with many skills in the actors’ toolkit, you are failing forward and producing a terrible Video Reel may be the best method to learn about creating an effective reel. Hopefully, you recognize this before you send it out and can correct any errors that have arisen; but this may be an expensive and time-consuming process.
Conclusion
Your Video Reel is a fundamental tool for actors. A great reel will help you sign with a top agent or manager and ensure your online casting profiles stand out to top casting directors. So when it is this crucial to the success of your acting career, why accept anything less than excellence? Commit to producing an excellent reel!
Keep your reel or demo focused on your performance to make the best impression with casting directors, producers, and agents.
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