Avoid these mistakes actors make when creating a showreel from scratch.
Acting Showreels from Scratch are a relatively new concept – and therefore, many people dive deep into the many pitfalls. Here are five of the most common. Oh and, for those of you who don’t know what a shot from scratch showreel is: it’s where you write, direct and edit scenes specifically for demo reel purposes, rather than taking material you’ve acted in from other projects.
1. They steal material from TV and film.
They think them doing their own version of Cumberbatch’s ‘Sherlock’ is a good idea. They think their own interpretation of Morgan Freeman’s parole board meeting in ‘Shawshank’ will impress. Sure, the film industry is known for rehashing old stuff, but leave that to Hollywood, it has no place on your showreel.
2. They rely too much on one scene.
3. They make them too long.
Afraid to cut stuff out; what should be two minutes ends up being four minutes. Casting directors are busy people and if you’re to stand any chance with them, you need your reel to be short.
4. They load the end of the reel with bad material.
5. They act too much.
Fade Out
If you are thinking of making your own acting showreel from scratch, try to be as natural as possible. And hopefully you too will avoing the Mistakes Actors Make.
Ask a question about Mistakes Actors Make On Their Showreels
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About Daniel Johnson
Daniel Johnson is an award-winning screenwriter and film director from London, England. He also creates actor showreel scenes from scratch. You can view more of his work at danieljohnsonfilms.co.uk
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You forgot the one that drives me MAD when watching a demo reel: DON'T have a bloody MONTAGE at the start – if you MUST have it, stick it at the end, but as a director I don't want to sit through a montage waiting to see you act. Start straight in with your acting so that I know immediately if i want to see you in person for an audition! Montages are a waste of time in my opinion.
You forgot the one that drives me MAD when watching a demo reel: DON'T have a bloody MONTAGE at the start – if you MUST have it, stick it at the end, but as a director I don't want to sit through a montage waiting to see you act. Start straight in with your acting so that I know immediately if i want to see you in person for an audition! Montages are a waste of time in my opinion.
Totally agree Raymond! It was my hope by now that everybody knows that – because I think everyone is in agreement. But yes, for some reason, those darn montages keep popping up like a recurring illness!
Totally agree Raymond! It was my hope by now that everybody knows that – because I think everyone is in agreement. But yes, for some reason, those darn montages keep popping up like a recurring illness!
Very interesting and useful info…thx
Very interesting and useful info…thx
Glad you found it useful Archie!
Glad you found it useful Archie!
Wow, I was going to make all these mistakes and more.. so thanks 🙂
I totally disagree with the first one, I have seen this many times and as long as the actor has something new and interesting to add to the performance, then it can be a great addition to a showreel. I would prefer to see an actors take on a Sherlock monologue than the same old Shakespeare piece. What I am sick of is showreels where the actor cuts the audio and just has a montage of shots – we need to hear the them as well as see them.
After reading assorted sites etc on how to with show reels, it is harder than I thought. Some contradictions. I am trying to support my son with this and the show reel is becoming a difficult hurdle knowing it has to be near perfect. No pressure of course. You can tell in a few seconds what someone has to offer, so I'm not sure why all the fuss re the lighting, the script, to montage or not to montage, professional versus non professional, etc. It's a show reel not a movie. All the same it was interesting to note directors comments.