For students who would like to be professional actors

Show reel

What is a show reel?

A show reel is a snippet of different scenes of an actor’s work. Professional actors, with film and TV experience, create their show reels by taking the best ‘moments’ of theirs, from a variety of TV episodes, and/or films.

What is a show reel used for?

A show reel is used primarily to ascertain the ‘type’ of character an actor can play, and how well. Sometimes, when a film or TV producer has limited time, they may request to see an actor’s show reel, in the event that they cannot audition them in person.

Actors also regularly update their show reels, forwarding them to casting consultants and directors to remind them of who they are, and of their most recent work.

An actor’s agent often uses a show reel to promote an actor to an overseas producer, for a role interstate and/or overseas.

How can I make a show reel if I don’t already have enough professional film and/or TV work to put on it, or if I don’t have ANY professional work to put on it?

It can be very difficult for actors without professional film and TV work to create a good show reel, especially when they are being compared with actors who have genuine work. Sometimes, less experienced actors attempt to compensate for this by going to places that claim they can replicate a professional reel for you. The truth is that one always knows when a show reel is a ‘mock up’, and it is completely unnecessary to pay a small fortune for one.

It is best to acknowledge that your scenes are not from real shows, and to put your energy into you, as the actor. Don’t waste money trying to create rooms, settings, car chases etc.

Good lighting is important, and a good choice of scenes is essential.

The scenes need to portray you in a range of realistic roles. They need to be within your age range and ‘type’. They need to be the right selection of scenes for a show reel, which is often the area that people misunderstand the most.

How we can help you create a good show reel

  1. We offer a series of private acting lessons first. This gives us the chance to ascertain what type of actor you are, and how you are most likely to be cast at this point.
  2. We have an endless supply of television and TV scripts, and will go to the greatest lengths possible, to make sure we help you to choose the right ones.
  3. We can also give you advice as to websites that you can go to for scripts, and tell you what kind of roles you should look for.
  4. You will receive a number of on camera, private acting lessons before even attempting your scenes.
  5. We will give you expert guidance in your level, (ie: whether your acting is too big, or too small for the shot), and explain the differences in close ups, mid shots and long shots.
  6. We will show you yourself on tape and discuss with you the things you believe are working and not working.
  7. When the choice of scenes is complete, we will begin filming them for you.
  8. If they involve dialogue with another actor, (which most of them will), we will play the other character for you.
  9. However, we will not edit the other character into your reel and the focus will remain on you.
  10. For several weeks, we will shoot the scenes with no intention of using them as the final footage, but with the intention of learning from them.
  11. We will shoot the final footage with enormous detail to lighting.
  12. By the time all of your scenes have been shot, you will have a great deal more footage than you will need.
  13. We will then sit down with you and discuss what you should keep, and what you should not keep. We will advise you about the order of the scenes, and how best to make them work as a whole. This sometimes includes flipping between scenes.
  14. You can then edit the show reel at home, if you have the right equipment, or we can offer you the names of several editors who offer reasonable rates.

What do I do with my show reel once it is finished?

How we can help you!

We will offer you genuine and honest feedback about your show reel. If, for example, we believe that you would be best starting to look for work as an extra, we will give you the details of reputable extras agencies. These agents do not ONLY do extra work. They do larger roles as well, but often start ‘beginner’ clients in extra work, in order to give them experience on set, allow them to understand how things work etc. Then, as you gain more experience, you can talk to them about going for speaking roles.

Often, an actor might be ready for smaller speaking roles, which the agent will know on seeing the reel. This is sometimes the way actors get noticed, and gradually get given larger and larger roles.

How we can help you with the process, the possible rejection and the possible success!

If we believe that you are ready to go for larger roles, we may suggest a number of boutique agents that you can send your reel to. These are agents that we know are reputable, and deal with larger roles on a more regular basis. We cannot predict, however, how they will respond to your show reel, or whether or not they will represent you.

Sometimes agents get excellent show reels from new comers, but if they already have a lot of people in your age group, or with your colouring etc. they may not take you for that reason alone.

It can be demoralising to receive rejections and sometimes no response at all (which is worse!) and this industry has more of this than any other. That is why we think it’s helpful to undertake this process with people like ourselves, who can reassure you that the perceived rejection is rarely, if ever, personal.

What happens if none of the agents accept me?

We will explain the nature of the industry to you in greater detail. It is possible for an actor to be ‘self-represented’, however you need to know how to go about it! We will assist you with details of casting consultants etc. that you can approach directly, who will keep your information on file. We will explain the role of each of the organisations that we give you, how best to approach them and so on.

NB: For prices on private tuition and show reel making, please contact us directly so that we can discuss your needs.