Seven Actor Demo Reel Tips

1. Use only professional footage.

Don't put material on your demo that you've shot yourself or created specifically for your reel. Demos should contain only material from actual commercials, television episodes, or film shots.

2. Put your best material first.

Remember that the person viewing your tape likely won't watch the entire thing, so be sure that your first sample is your best.

3. Only use clips that feature you.

Your demo reel should show that you have been cast as a featured actor, so don't include work where the focus is on someone else. Extra work should never appear on a demo.

4. Keep it the appropriate length.

The entire reel should be between 4 - 7 minutes. Demos that are too long are a waste of your effort and money; if they're too short they imply that you don't have enough experience. Don't include a lot of time on the set-up of a scene if it doesn't include you. Edit so that your work is featured.

5. Don't mix media.

Demo reels are not used when casting theater, so don't include any theatrical work. If you can afford it, make a separate demo reel featuring your commercial work and one featuring your TV/Film work.

6. Include contact information.

Include a postcard-sized headshot with the video and have your name and contact number clearly printed on the outside of both the tape and the tape case. Include this information in the video itself.

7. Keep it professional and polished.

Find a professional who specializes in creating demo reels (get recommendations, look in trade publications such as Back Stage, etc.) and see their work before you hire them. When you make copies, be sure they are copied from the master (no copies of copies).

BONUS: Sample outline from professional reel

1. Name over a black screen. - 3 sec
2. Headshot - 3 sec
3. Quick list of credits - 4 sec
4. Montage of television work - 30 sec
5. Black screen with title "Actor/ Voice Over / Singer"
6. Montage of stills with voice over radio clips - 20 sec
7. Big finish - Best TV clip for last - 10 sec
8. Black screen - Name and contact info
9. Fade up on your best photo with motto: "A Wolf in Chic Clothing"

If you've got a demo reel, then you're ready to send it out to agents. If you don't, you might need to do some work getting a few commercials or film spots (indie films are a great way to get footage when you start out).

"Actor Tips" is copyright 2006 by Chad Gracia and ActorTips.com, Inc. All rights reserved. For more articles on acting, as well as free monologues and play scripts, subscribe to the newsletter by visiting http://www.actortips.com

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