August is Demo Reel Month!

Part 1-  How to Get an Amazing Demo Reel

1-  Choose Roles That Show Your "Type" And Range. That means how would you be 
cast in Primetime/Daytime TV and Films TODAY? Almost all TV series are written in a
consistent format which includes classic types: Interns/Doctors, Lawyers/Criminals, 
Detectives/Investigators, Spies/CIA agents, Geeks/Ordinary people and Sexy women 
doing something naughty or illegal. That's why we have series like; House, NCIS, 
Raising the Bar, Law & Order, CSI, Criminal Minds, 24, Desperate Housewives,
BUrn Notice, How I Met your Mother, 30 Rock, etc... OK, so you need to show 
WHAT characters in WHICH of these shows you could play. If the clip you want to 
put on your reel isn't in the genre of one of the above shows, exclude it. Simple.

2- Don't put "Heavily Dramatic" Scenes on your reel.  This is the biggest mistake
of beginners who want something "juicy" and "serious" to show they can act. Wrong. 
Good acting is subtle. Did you ever notice that most student films include a lot of
screaming, heavy drama, crying, yelling obscenities and firing of guns? They think 
it's cool. The real industry does not. Scenes that are clever, fast-paced, witty or 
humorous, entertaining, intelligent and subtle are closer to the real thing. Go for 
those.

3 - Don't Include the Horror, Alien Or Other Sci-Fi With Special Effects Scenes. 
Exclude anything overly graphic, gratuitously violent and unwatchable. First time
indie directors love these scenes because it fulfills their agenda to produce a 
sensational, money-making, low-budget first feature. It doesn't fulfill YOUR 
agenda. No A-list Casting Director or top Agent wants a client whose tacky 
demonstration of talent consists of being pursued across the Mall's parking lot 
by a maniac wielding a chain saw. Get something better to represent you if 
you want representation and any work at all!

4 - Don't Shoot Or Write Your Own Scenes Unless You Really Are A Professional
 Writer who's been writing for years. But then why would you need an actor's 
 demo reel?  Find a company (see TAM below) that can produce, write, shoot and
 edit a scene or two for you. You deserve the best so go to professionals. And NEVER
 use a scene that's from a REAL series- it's illegal and you're breaking the copyright 
 law! Besides, you'll  never look as good as the original. Don't shoot yourself in the 
 foot as well!

5- Get The Advice Of An Excellent Editor Who Has Worked On Major Primetime
TV series not just edited low budget indies. The style is different, the pacing, the 
music,the LIGHTING and the length of scenes. Better yet, find a Career Coach to
advise you on choice of scenes/roles, wardrobe, image and style. The roles
you will be offered are exactly the ones you display on your reel. Get advice.

6- Make It Short, Fast Paced And FUN! - Show Off Your best traits, personality and 
acting ability. Agents can tell in about 10 seconds if they want to work with you. 
They don't need to see a long boring dramatic scene. On your website you could 
post two or three (1-2 minute) complete "scenes" but if you have a good editor you 
should create a "SIZZLE reel". It has about 6-8 (5-10 second) clips that come to a 
total of one minute and is much like a fast paced, fun, intriguing trailer to a great
 movie. You can even include a clip from a commercial or music video. Agents, CD's,
 Film producers - EVERYONE in the Industry loves "SIZZLE reels"! So get one!

Successful Marketing!

Gwyn