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
If you enjoyed this article, email a question directly to the author Daniel Johnson, who, incidently, makes great actors showreels. From Scratch!
Daniel Johnson is a screenwriter, director and shoots showreels for up and coming actors.
http://www.danieljohnsonfilms.co.uk
@danieljohnsonuk
