What Makes a Great Actor Reel?

*The Breakdown*

0:10 - Goals of a reel
0:25 - Outfit choices
0:41 - Font for reel

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*More Reel Tips*

Backstage Expert Tim Grady says that the best of musical theater reels will “recreate the energy and atmosphere of an actual audition,” even though you’re not in the audition room. Here’s how to do it.

Backstage Expert and New York City-based videographer Tim Grady breaks down exactly what he looks for on a professional-grade reel from musical and film/TV actors.

[JediJosh]

Sure, having your name clearly visible and font type is important, but as an editor myself who mostly works with fellow actors, you're off your latter if you think agents and casting directors have time to sit and watch 3 minute demo reels! Don't get me wrong; I MISS the days of even 2 minute demo reels! But nowadays, I'm making MULTIPLE 45-60 second demo reels for actors that show off different categories/types. Even whenever I did create 2 minute reels, having a montage at the beginning or the first scene was always the most important because that's all that casting directors would watch. If they liked you, great! They didn't need to see more. If they didn't like you, fine. Then they ain't watching the rest. So maybe 2-3 minute reels are fine for YouTube, but you're fooling yourself if you think the "powers that be" are watching anything beyond 60 seconds...

[loydjenkins]

Having a reel that highlights an actor's versatility and performance ability is paramount and is the sole purpose of the reel. However, a 3-minute video, in this current era, is way too long. Better to have your reel short with clips anywhere from 6 to 15 seconds (longer only if the scene is significantly moving) that highlight your best and most compelling work. Your headshot, resume, Imdb etc. are the tools to list your experience. You can always create a subsequent, longer reel for castings that have taken an interest and want to take a closer, longer look at your performance. Short vids are more likely to be viewed than longer ones.

[SoundOfYourDestiny]

The word "important" has a T in the middle of it.