Demo Reels: What New Actors Need to Know!

How do you know what's worth including on a demo reel and what immediately marks you as an amateur? Backstage Expert and acting coach Matt Newton understands the dilemma, and breaks down what makes a strong demo reel.
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[@Pixala]

I would do all this with my friends but I don't exactly have any friends

[@shawanna]

Pixala I'll be your friend

[@selenaofficial7833]

i can be your friend if you want !!

[@dr.timsmith5539]

well fucking go outside and meet some ppl

[@user-li8rc6vg7p]

I feel you

[@nikkizzlefoshizzle]

Hahahhaha ugh, let's be friends. I, too, have no friends.... Anddd need a better acting reel. And people to help me with it.

[@arterial5177]

But... what if you are an inspiring actor who has never been in a film before? It feels like a catch 22 situation. People require a demo reel to start acting, but I need to start acting in order to create a demo reel. It feels like it's harder than ever to step one foot into the world of acting nowadays.

[@lifeoftiara7684]

Yeah I do agree. It’s like that question on your first job application , “past jobs/experience” well how can I get experience if it’s my first job and you won’t give me a chance ? Lol

[@prettyroses4742]

Exactly!

[@user-kf9lm7rs5v]

EXACTLY GOSH😭😭

[@s.grantc934]

It's pricey, but there are lots of places that will make starting reels for you. Some can do studio reels where it essentially looks like a series of audition takes, while others can make a custom script for a scene and handle movie-quality filming and editing for you (that one is going to be the more expensive option). Or, like this guy pointed out, there's the option of being in student films and getting a few clips that way. But first you'd have to find student films.

[@SamanthaDrews_]

I’m a filmmaker and an actress, as a producer I encourage you to go into Facebook groups and look for student films or projects that need help and work for free :) you eventually make more connections and get more experience! Good luck!

[@icy10108]

Why does he think everyone has access to equipment? I've got access to like my mother's video camera.

[@Head-or-Dead]

icy10108 You can hire equipment or work with students on their end of year project / final piece. You'll work for free, but you will get a short film out of it which you can add to your showreel. Look online for local colleges with film departments and online ads for low budget movies. The opportunities are out there if you seek them.

[@brandonreyes1920]

i got access to the camera on my phone...

[@JM-ml7ge]

he says film students. when i was in college i had a 5d mark ii .... the shit they had was like from 1992 lol i was like.....wtf where the red at hahaha

[@markusshelby3436]

Student film..... All I have is a phone to access the internet did 20 student film got 4.... Found somebody on Facebook that could take all the links editing them and put it on KZbin

[@BellaBrownministry]

I love this info!! I've been writing my own monologues and posting them to all my social media. Sometimes you just have to create a lane that will get you to where you're going.

[@c.w.miles-cowboycookstoryt1528]

Thank you sooooo much for posting that idea. Im on it like flies in jelly!!!!

[@The12adsoccer]

Thank you so much for this advice! I got signed to an agency recently and I wasn't sure how to go about creating a demo reel with videos and pictures. Your two minute video also gave me the great advice I needed to build up the courage to just create my own footage and self-produce. Thank you! You rock! :D

[@Gentlesideoffury]

That's awesome! Congrats!

[@daniellemaroney2931]

Learning about acting and how to become one is very frustrating because you get a lot of contradicting cross-talk from various people. I feel like no matter what road I choose to take, it's always the wrong one.

[@kojoyo1635]

Valuable information. Thanks, Backstage.

[@falloutgirl902]

I’ve been trying to figure out how to get a showreel but I guess the answer is to do unpaid work and put some of that together because starting out how you gonna get work to put on a showreel if you can’t get work without a showreel! So okay I’ll do some student stuff I guess 👌🏽

[@BackstageCast]

That's the spirit! Do take on paid opportunities when you can, but if you're not finding those gigs yet, treat smaller projects like internships and get the experience!

[@falloutgirl902]

Backstage Thanks backstage 😊

[@toniclair1953]

Super helpful and specific advice. Thanks for sharing!

[@mileswoodworth]

WOW! Thanks! Great tips!

[@BackstageCast]

You're welcome!

[@joesuba7781]

yes! self Producing!!! thats the KEY!!

[@christinadelaossa7541]

That was incredibly helpful! Thanks so much! xo

[@geniastewart131]

I'm so thankful for this page. This info is invaluable! Class is in session, I'm here for it.

[@curtricia123]

Great info!!! Just what I needed. Ty

[@kaylamcknight8029]

Just a question..how do you make a demo if you aren't experianced??

[@GoldyLocksBandRocks]

This is just GOLD! Thanks for the clear DIRECT advice! Cheers

[@milady8618]

If they ask for a video reel and the script for each character is attached at the bottom are they expecting you to do a self tape with the lines for the character you're applying for or are they asking for a demo reel of other stuff?

[@MissLionRose]

Awesome feel like he's talking specifically to me! 🎬

[@drodrigues3451]

Lion Rose Music me 2

[@mackayla178]

Ava Mastriani lmfao tf is wrong with you

[@gabrielRaronson]

Love backstage!

[@myronsharrp9861]

I loved his advice. I am a back stage member, so I am gonna take my video reels into my own hands

[@2010onlyme]

Can somebody explain me What’s UNION WORK?

[@brentpop12]

Union work is SAG aka screen actors Guild so union jobs are major gigs so a project like breaking bad is a union project. non union projects are underground like student films that aren't affiliated with SAG

[@great456789]

Just do it with some friends is some bad advice lol. You're better off going out and auditioning for some student films. Get cast, get some acting experience, and get footage from them. Your going to have to do that anyway. And you don’t need a demo reel to get cast in student films.

[@marvelpsychology2774]

What kind of videos should I include in my backstage profile?

[@LPMOVIESTVSofficial]

am starting my story this year let see what happen made a new page so be posting thing on there in a few mouth also work on animation project and vice over work so hopeful one take off in a year or so i giveing myself no time limit to get where i what to be

[@fish98ful]

It’s funny how your guy in e video says get a camera write a script and your article attached to this video I just read the talent manager just said don’t write your own stuff cause it can be bad writing 🤨

[@abbieamavi]

*this is helpful thank you!*

[@makailaseabridge1589]

i learned how to self produce. however i am shocked to hear that u shouldnt contact the director unless need be. also i already knew to keep it short and simple.

[@notherelol]

Good job

[@FlyoverMeTez]

Im sorry im not understanding what suppose to be in a demo reel. Please tell me? Do i introduce myself and talk of myself for the whole 3 minutes?

[@liviacoppini]

I want to sign up but I am younger than 16

[@Lunasent]

I've joined Backstage and most ask for a demo reel. I haven't acted before so I don't have any footage and I can't get any footage if they require a demo. Can I improvise and make my own script? HELP PLEASE!

[@briellehykim]

What if I created my own script and used that? 😅

[@kickiinitwithkay361]

Great info✊🏾

[@shinychris8629]

Thanks

[@Anonymous-wk9zg]

GREAT informative video. This is why i decided to watch it as I was wandering how does an actor get to make a demo reel if they aren't in any productions in the first place! I know a couple of actresses who have access to film equipment but I feel totally embarrassed to contact them just to ask for their help. Forget them. I'll join a company that offers roles to newcomers.

[@AkmaAit]

very useful, and lots of hard work is needed

[@Bus_Driver117]

ive got some voice over stuff im doing for my demo reel. its better than nothing honestly.

[@crunchypeanut7554]

Am i allowed to shoot and use scenes from produced films/tv shows?

[@strikeaposefilms]

But what info do you put on the reel? Headshot, height, weight, titles?

[@Egriffinacting]

20-30 seconds. Outside perspective

[@antonioduenas647]

I be in chino California lmao who’s down?

[@jilliankovac8708]

Like most of this, but disagree with the advice of getting a bunch of friends together to shoot a scene. You would never tell an actor to get some friends together to shoot their headshot, so why would you give the same advice about writing, editing and shooting an effective scene?

[@cord8304]

So you can control what you're showing in your reel. And honestly because the work isn't always there, and even if it is, I have never received copies of my work for my reel without harassing the filmmakers, that's also IF the film gets finished at all. Shooting it yourself means you get it done quickly and you needn't worry about conflicting ideals with other filmmakers because you're in charge.

[@brettbakerthe]

“yeah if I was just getting out of college and had access to all this equipment on the cheap.”? huh. what planet are you living on? you’re setting these young people up for failure. it assumes that people know how to write a compelling or funny scene, lighting, framing up a shot etc.... it makes my head hurt.

[@brettbakerthe]

and by the way, the first scene to go on your actor demo reel is not the “highest quality production value” footage. the first and last scene should be the highest quality acting footage. if the acting sucks no amount of production value will keep the viewer on board, but if you’re fuckin amazing to watch, people will stay with you. you can be acting in a stairwell.

[@saranewman3169]

I hear what you're saying, but hiring a good photographer is something that is in your control, waiting for someone to cast you is not. Casting yourself is in your control, and often times what my friends are writing and producing is just as good.

[@notsurex]

@@brettbakerthe since you have all the answers, why don't you tell us how you got all your imdb credits

[@ThisHandleIsInteresting]

Doesn't self producing without much resources or even much of a budget mark you as an amateur?

[@phillipsfilms2429]

*60 seconds reels.

[@JERSEYBOYPLAY2HARD]

next thing you know they want 3 seconds reel

[@cstephenfoster]

sensational

[@matoflynn]

Super cool

[@AndrewFord]

Exactly! Same thing as when your agent tells you not to sit around and wait for things to come to you that's fooling yourself and who wants to cast a fool? There you go now if you look like Jack Black and have a GF Theres your audition script...complian about the industry while fictishiously, your girl friend gives you pep-talks as if she has hidden wisdom or some crap Lol yah in my dreams. Perfect!

[@sterniprictopic8575]

I saw this cuz of the smosh audition on their website I really wanna be on smosh although im 12 #Accept12yearolds

[@samyazbeck3906]

sweet

[@EvanMcNeeley]

good

[@schinreels]

nice video, can u see my acting showreel, but its in hindi, bollywood, hope u like , thanks

[@JuzzGio]

THANK YOU For The Information Guys MICHAEL JAMES WYANT

[@yoshimusmaximus3473]

Damn dude, so comprehensive, THANK YOU

[@danielmasciari4403]

wonderful stuff. I love this.

[@sofiacasini7432]

This might seem like a stupid question, but should you smile with teeth or just lips? Or does it depend on the person?

[@cord8304]

Always teeth if you can.

[@swiftscoutx]

you're damn right

[@glennaanderson5855]

LOVE Tosin Mor 2014 demo reel

[@nemos422s]

haha you think i have any friends looooool

[@SpiceCDivorcePartyPlannerShow]

Great advice. we are already on it!

[@LovableNamine]

What if you don't have much experience acting outside of school yet? Such as you were in school plays but no access to the video someone may have taken? Could I still make a video of a skit that is related to the audition?

[@mariaalexandropoulou2845]

Never add videos from plays on your showreel. They wanna see preferably close ups