Are you an actor considering shooting your own reel footage? You’ve done your homework, nailed your casting, and you’re clear on your selling points. Now comes the challenging part: transitioning into the producer role and bringing it all together. How do you connect the dots from concept to reality? Easy – just follow these pre-production tips for reel footage that is guaranteed to showcase you.
As actors, our ultimate goal is to narrate the story. We crave the narrative arc – the beginning, middle, and end of a scene – to truly showcase our range. A few years back, my reel was overloaded with extensive coverage of other actors. Editing my footage down was a daunting task. However, the industry is in a constant state of evolution. Casting decisions can now be made in mere seconds.
So, how can you demonstrate your full range and still keep it concise? Here are three essential pre-production tips for creating your own reel footage.
Know your role
The writing must be authentic to your casting. This may seem obvious, but don’t overlook this crucial step. You’ve worked hard to define your specific casting. Now, bring that character to life with compelling writing that supports it.
You have a limited time to impress, so focus on demonstrating your role, not just telling a story. Are you the quick-witted medical intern, the corrupt detective, the stern lawyer, or the awkward high school nerd? Within the first ten seconds, the viewer should grasp the scene’s premise: who you are, who you’re speaking to, and a basic understanding of the situation. If writing isn’t your forte, consider reaching out to friends or other creatives in your network for assistance. You can also find potential roles and auditions on Actors Access.
Maximize your screen time
Maintain a high speaking ratio within a limited screen time. Make every second count! It’s your reel, after all. Share as little screen time as possible. Visualize your dream scene—crafted specifically to highlight your strengths—and convince the viewer you can convincingly play that role. You can also study the performances of successful actors on IMDb to understand how they maximize their screen time.
Quality over quantity
Production value matters. This isn’t an audition video that you can shoot against a blank wall or a curtain. It should resemble a genuine clip from network TV or film. If you’re unfamiliar with the basics of lighting, sound, and filmmaking, don’t attempt this alone. Reach out to your network of friends with equipment and the know-how to use it, and then keep it simple. It’s not about the action, the set, or the props. It’s about you and your talent. For some examples, please check out our samples page.
Production value matters. This isn’t an audition video that you can shoot against a blank wall or a curtain. It should resemble a genuine clip from network TV or film. If you’re unfamiliar with the basics of lighting, sound, and filmmaking, don’t attempt this alone. Reach out to your network of friends with equipment and the know-how to use it, and then keep it simple. It’s not about the action, the set, or the props. It’s about you and your talent. For some examples, please check out our samples page.
Remember, you’re likely competing against actors with footage from TV or film. Ultimately, your reel should be on par with those reels. It should stand out for all the right reasons—your acting skills, compelling writing, and superior production quality. If it stands out because it looks and sounds like a home movie or like you shot it with your smartphone, you’re doing yourself a disservice.