by Mj Ferruzza

Created on: February 25, 2007   Last Updated: May 03, 2011

There are 5 types of professional acting careers: 1. Stage or theatrical 2. TV 3. Film 4. Commercial or 5. Voice artist (Radio, narrator or voice talent).

Depending how the talent wants to market their career, they are going to need to create a demo reel. The demo reel could be a video, cd, dvd, or MP3 file format. By consolidating examples of your best work, in your area of your strength and then match it to

your marketing approach, it becomes a demo.

Though most demos should look professional, they have to be organic. This means you should have the ability to take add and remove newer for older, or stronger for weaker samples
to the set collection of your work.

There are easy steps in compiling and completing this process:

Step 1
For talent with time and financial resources, collect your work from
producers, directors, agents.

Step 2
Hire a professional editing studio.

Step 3
Give them specific instructions and contact details on how the demo will be formatted and its presentation.

Step 4
Design the packaging.

Step 5
Mass produce.

For the talent with limited resources:

Step 1
Get copies of your work (demos of your work on on Mp3s, Cds or Dvds)

Step 2
Use or borrow a computer that has a (Burn) DVD drive.

Step 3
Copy your work onto computer.

Step 4a
Burn a new disc with your consolidated work.

Step 4b
Or Upload your work onto a website like YouTube or Live Video
This is an easy way for producers to see your demos while
browsing online.

Step 5
Be sure to list a link to your demo on your resume.

Remember you should use real and/or professional work samples!
Borrowing Uncle Fred's camera to film yourself in the backyard
while performing a scene from Hamlet generally does not work well.

If you are a stage talent, use small clips from power scenes or
moments from your stage work. Be sure the demo focuses on you
and is not convoluted by too many other characters or business.

If you are a commercial, television or film actor, compile scenes that show a variety of your talent and your versatility.

If you are a voice artist, show your versatility in reads, voices and
characterization.

Your demo is one of the best marketing tools an actor can use.
The general rule of thumb is that that you don't have to have
the best demo reel, but to just have one at all. Show your best, make a demo!

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