Oh how technology has revolutionized the industry. Long gone are the days of mailing out headshots and having theatre credits merit respect. Today it's reels, Eco casts, electronic submissions, web series and Skype auditions.
Often casting directors narrow down their selections solely based on media attachments. Having a reel gives the actor a great advantage over their reel-less competition. Having an outstanding reel gets the audition.
So what makes a reel outstanding you ask?
1. A reel should be 2 minutes to 3 minutes. Not a second longer. If it has to be shorter that's fine by me but anything over 3 minutes is grueling to watch
2. If you don't have draw dropping credits then pick your typecast and play it out in two or three scenes. Don't try to stretch your limits and play something challenging. Chose characters you can believably play. And run with it. Once you become recognized for having a strong acting skill set, then you can test your limits and try something out of your realm.
3. Ok. You're not going to honestly chose a scene from a famous movie and do your version of the a list celebrity's performance. It will never even come close to comparing. Please chose something unrecognizable.
4. This goes with number 2, but come on. If you're not drop dead gorgeous... Then maybe playing the head turning smoke show isn't your best bet. Try cute best friend?
5. I love seeing recognizable scenes... But if they don't portray you at your best or they're seriously outdated then drop them. Ill see your résumé, don't worry.
6. Lighting is everything. But sound is something too. If you don't have the camera & computer know how then hire a ucla film student for gods sake.
7. No monologues. I want to see you taking and receiving from your scene partner. Don't be afraid of pauses and a little non verbal acting. 2 minutes is plenty of time to hear your voice, don't feel like you have to fill every second of it with a giant run on line.
8. No opening music. No 10 second slide of your name or a montage of photos. A simple 3 second name slate is fine. And that's it.
9. And nothing at the end either unless you're going to tell me a funny knock knock joke or do the robot.
10. Two to three scenes per reel. If you have more than that break up your reels into dramatic, comedy, commercial, text.
Often casting directors narrow down their selections solely based on media attachments. Having a reel gives the actor a great advantage over their reel-less competition. Having an outstanding reel gets the audition.
So what makes a reel outstanding you ask?
1. A reel should be 2 minutes to 3 minutes. Not a second longer. If it has to be shorter that's fine by me but anything over 3 minutes is grueling to watch
2. If you don't have draw dropping credits then pick your typecast and play it out in two or three scenes. Don't try to stretch your limits and play something challenging. Chose characters you can believably play. And run with it. Once you become recognized for having a strong acting skill set, then you can test your limits and try something out of your realm.
3. Ok. You're not going to honestly chose a scene from a famous movie and do your version of the a list celebrity's performance. It will never even come close to comparing. Please chose something unrecognizable.
4. This goes with number 2, but come on. If you're not drop dead gorgeous... Then maybe playing the head turning smoke show isn't your best bet. Try cute best friend?
5. I love seeing recognizable scenes... But if they don't portray you at your best or they're seriously outdated then drop them. Ill see your résumé, don't worry.
6. Lighting is everything. But sound is something too. If you don't have the camera & computer know how then hire a ucla film student for gods sake.
7. No monologues. I want to see you taking and receiving from your scene partner. Don't be afraid of pauses and a little non verbal acting. 2 minutes is plenty of time to hear your voice, don't feel like you have to fill every second of it with a giant run on line.
8. No opening music. No 10 second slide of your name or a montage of photos. A simple 3 second name slate is fine. And that's it.
9. And nothing at the end either unless you're going to tell me a funny knock knock joke or do the robot.
10. Two to three scenes per reel. If you have more than that break up your reels into dramatic, comedy, commercial, text.
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