Demo Reel Tips

• 1 - 2 minutes is a good length. 
  • Eliminate redundant clips. 
  • Only go longer if you have significant credits to show.
• Casting directors may not watch past 5 to 10 seconds, so hook them immediately.
• Demonstrate your type so that the casting director knows what to call you in for. 
  • Showcase what you do best. 
  • Show your face in good lighting, especially at the beginning.
• Find strong clips.
  • Moments you are actively directing behavior toward your scene partner.
  • Moments you are changing tactics.
• Have your name in large letters towards the beginning. 
  • You can place your name over footage, but don't insert headshots.
• The reel should primarily be clips from scenes (somewhere around 10 - 20 seconds each).  
  • Each clip should highlight you, not your scene partners.
  • Use clips that make you and your talent look good.
  • Select clips that show contrast.
• Having a short montage of clips with music can add interest and give a quick highlight of your range.
• Student films are a great resource if you are just getting started. 
  • Prioritize high quality footage that looks professional.
• If you have professional footage, feature the project title in the corner of the screen at the start of each clip.
• Optionally end with your name and email as a quick reminder of who you are and how to contact you. 
• DaVinci Resolve and iMovie are popular free editing programs.
  • College students can often get free access to Adobe Premiere through their school.
  • There are several YouTube tutorials available for any of these programs.
• Vimeo is a great platform for sharing your reel.
  • It also provides you with code so that you can embed the video on your website.
• View these reels as examples:
  https://craigtrow.com/demo-clients/ 

References:

• Heilbrun, Mikie. Lecture at Savannah College of Art and Design.
• Johnson, Isaiah. Lecture at Savannah College of Art and Design.