Is your acting showreel getting you the roles you want?

A showreel should be short and punchy – it doesn’t need to show full scenes, just key moments – but make sure it’s not over-edited, give enough space for the characters to breathe and for the pacing to work.

  • Your showreel should represent you as you are now, and reflect your current look.
  • A showreel should include the most appropriate scenes for the type of roles you’re being put forward for. Check your submissions list!
  • Include a good contrast of scenes in your showreel and show your range, but bear in mind most casting directors are looking for a type, and using material with characters of the same type in your reel can make it easier for casting directors to see you in the role they’re casting.
  • The order in which the scenes play is crucial.
  • You know who you are, but casting directors don’t always; be clear who you are in your reel. Your showreel should open on a close-up of you; avoid opening on group scenes or a scene with another actor of the same sex and age range.
  • An existing scene can be re-edited to minimise the screen time of other actors, and focus more on you.
  • An opening montage won’t help; they waste valuable time and casting directors don’t like them. Go straight into a piece with substance.
  • Keeping a showreel regularly updated is a great way to remind casting directors (and your agent) about you, and keeps them interested.
  • Waiting for your material can be an endless waiting game – Are you holding off on updating because you’ve got a new clip or two but are waiting for more footage to come in? It’s often better  to regularly update a showreel rather than wait too long and lose out on the new roles.

A showreel is like any other piece of marketing – if it’s not bringing you in the work you want, tweak the edit until it does.

Find some more answers to other commonly asked questions about what makes a good showreel here.

If you’d like me to help with your showreel (view some samples here), please give me a call on 020 8144 8835, or on my mobile at 07763 261 509. Or just fill out the form below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.