by Malcolm Reprove

Created on: May 16, 2008

A demo reel is a collection on film or video of the work which best represents you and and your job within the film and television industry. A demo reel is useful for directors, writers, actors, cinematographers, production designers, producers and editors. It's a visual resume of your past work and an essential part of any actors portfolio.

Since this topic deals with acting demo reels, I will keep my article to within that realm. Demo reels need to be consistently updated, brief, have impact and focus on the actor being represented. A demo reel will change over the years, as the actor's career unfolds. A demo reel is useful for any actor who is not a star, and who has examples of professional work to cut together.

Some common mistakes made with actors demo reels include: making the demo reel too long, trying to make a demo reel with non-professional material, using theatre work for film, putting your demo reel on DVD's that don't work in every player, inadequate labeling, and highlighting other actors. To avoid these problems, money needs to be spent attaining a higher level of production quality.

Demo reels are for actors who have been acting for a while, and want to take their career to the next level, share their work with new casting agents, producers and directors. They are not necessarily for "Straight out of school actors", who have little to no work to edit. I say "necessarily", because if a young actor has the where-with-all to gather, rehearse and shoot material that he or she believes will portray them in a positive light to professional casting directors, directors, and producers, then by all means, that young actor is welcome to try their luck. However, if that young actor goes out with a video camera to shoot just anything, than it may give the person hiring you a bad impression.

The actor who has enough material to make a demo reel usually hires an editor to help shape the demo reel into a professional package. Actors may want to include on the DVD a stills gallery of their headshots, photos, press material and anything else that may be of interest to the employer. Then, the actual reel should be cut together at the same or a better level than it existed in its original form. The actor should make the decisions on what make them look the best, then communicate that to their editor, who can have creative license to order the material to look and feel great. Important questions to ask in the editing process: Does this shot compliment or contrast with the next? Is their a through-line to my work? What "Type" am I portraying most? Is that "Type" of role what I want to continue getting work in? Does my demo reel show off my strengths? Do I need to shoot extra material to balance what I already have?

In the end, a demo reel is a foot in the door technique, and extension to your resume. It may not land you the important job, as much as it might land you the important audition, or interview. So it's important with the demo reel to, "leave them wanting more". By creating a demo reel that is shaped into a bit of a story line, or leaves a question or mystery about who you are as an actor, that piques the viewers interest in your acting talent, you will have another "tool" with which to garner newer and hopefully higher paid, more fulfilling work.

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