How to Make an Awesome Acting Demo Reel

[@thebrownstoneclassnyc]

I teach a screen acting class shot on camera. A lot of our students use their footage for demo reels. We're called The Brownstone Class and located In NYC!

[@AugmentedActor]

That's great. And yes footage from scene classes is perfectly legitimate to use in demo reels. In fact, it might actually be better than a lot of the clips you get from projects.

[@charlied.]

Awesome, I'm now 20 and doing a degree completely unrelated to acting but I've wanted to be an actor ever since I was little, hopefully ill have the courage to make it big. Thank you for this video!

[@AugmentedActor]

With determination, you can do both. It's always nice to have a degree as acting can be difficult to make a living from. Hopefully it's something you enjoy doing as well. While you're doing your degree you should try and add in some acting classes and see how things go. Best of luck in whatever path lies ahead for you.

[@charlied.]

@@AugmentedActor thank you so much! I understand acting is such a difficult career that requires a lot of determination! I'm currently looking into small parts in student films so I'll get an insight into how the basics work. :)

[@tomatosoup2193]

@@charlied. hi, 9 months later how are things?

[@LilHollywood]

This was so helpful I’m a “middle ground” season actor that thru the strikes and pandemic I realized I hadn’t cut a reel in new awhile and felt like I forgot the basics of what I needed in my reel. Thank you for this it’s helping me rethink and recut my reel I’m working on

[@AugmentedActor]

Oh you’re very welcome. I have to say the strikes and the pandemic did a number on us all. I have been slow to get new videos up myself and have barely done any acting as well. So I’m glad to see that my videos are helping others get back on track.

[@LilHollywood]

It’s sure did especially on confidence, so when it comes to putting ur self out there in a new reel, there’s so much second guessing. Ur tips helped me finished mine

[@AugmentedActor]

I'm so glad to hear it. Hope your demo brings you a lot of success!@@LilHollywood

[@cinemarco9478]

One of the most useful tips-clips I found so far! Thank you!

[@AugmentedActor]

I’m glad you found it useful.

[@cinemarco9478]

@@AugmentedActor useful and encouraging! 👍

[@_catelin_]

This is super helpful!! I didn’t even know about demo reels before this

[@AugmentedActor]

Glad to help out

[@rociodeleonpantoja]

Thank you for all this valuable information! ❤

[@AugmentedActor]

You're very welcome!

[@lonisamari]

Thank you so much for this breakdown. What do you put on the info card, if you don't have representation?

[@AugmentedActor]

Just put your name, website (if you have one), social tags, and some form of contact (email is probably safest, but beware that you might get spam). You basically want potential casting folks to know who you are and how they can get ahold of you. You might put your website address and then have a contact me form on the site.

[@lonisamari]

@@AugmentedActor thank you so much! I appreciate your reply.

[@HenWangOfficial]

Thank you Doug!

[@AugmentedActor]

You’re welcome!

[@l8diva]

What about if you change your hair colour in the reel (different from the headshot hair colour)?

[@AugmentedActor]

Your headshot should be close to how you look. The demo might include several different looks because you’re playing different characters. So it’s ok.

[@CandyceWeirActor]

This was awesome! So it’s not necessary to source someone to get your footage off KZbin or ispot? Will handbrake or one of your options convert it into HD or high enough quality? Cheers

[@AugmentedActor]

I haven't used handbrake but I believe OBS can capture at whatever quality you view a video on KZbin in. I know that handbrake can export at higher quality levels but I don't know that it will make the image any clearer to do so. There are some AI video upscaler sites online like Tensor that actually upscale lower res videos using AI to make them 1080 or 4k, but they usually cost a fee and I have not tested them. I also know that capturing videos with OBS, it's sometimes difficult to get the audio to capture correctly. It sometimes captures the sounds in your room like a microphone would. So the answer is maybe. You may want to source someone to capture videos from youTube if you don't have access to software that will allow you to do it yourself. It's always best if you can just get the original videos from whoever posted them.

[@CandyceWeirActor]

Thank you for that! Appreciate it

[@summerkennada]

Good evening! I don't see the link for watching your demo. Would you please send it to me? I appreciate all the info.

[@AugmentedActor]

The link is in the video description. But here it is again: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqrTaGh3qNipgKc

[@VirnaLichter]

Thank you so much! Very helpful!

[@AugmentedActor]

You’re welcome.

[@rich2376]

Thanks for the information. I am a background actor and would like to know if your advice changes for background actors who don't have lines. Also sometimes my scenes include several other background actors and principal actors, is it necessary to highlight yourself in the clip? Thank you.

[@AugmentedActor]

If your intention is to remain a background actor then I suppose a demo reel of your BG moments would be fine, but I don't think there is a high demand for demo reels in the background acting world. Usually background actors don't have to demonstrate their acting skills much. If you intend to become an actor with lines eventually, then you will want to avoid putting background work in your demo or on your resume because casting directors are NOT looking for background credits. They want to be able to see you acting. So I would then recommend filming some scenes or monologues and using those instead until you build up your acting credits. To answer your other question, the clips you use in any demo reel should highlight you. If we can't tell by looking at the clip which person is supposed to be you, then I wouldn't use the clip. So in the case of several background actors, just avoid that clip. Highlighting yourself in the clip, just draws attention to the fact that you are blending into a crowd.

[@isskierkaxd9225]

What if I never played in anything but the play I want to audition for needs a demo reel? Do I just say some random stuff that in my opinion suit the play or maybe i have to get experience and try for the role when I have some actual clips?

[@AugmentedActor]

If you don't have anything to put in a reel yet, then it's kind of difficult to create something especially for just one audition. It's a strange request for a play because usually theatre doesn't require a demo reel. You only really need them for film. Perhaps you can film a few monologues (and or songs if it's a musical). And edit them together. If you have a friend to film a few scenes that is something you could try as well. Treat it like a self tape audition.

[@isskierkaxd9225]

@@AugmentedActor Thank you!!

[@nikoasalas5976]

Hey, I wonder if you would put the name of each film at the beginning of each clip if the clips are from student or indie films? Does casting truly care where the clips are from as long as they look good and showcase your acting? Love some thoughts on this, thanks! Love the video.

[@AugmentedActor]

I usually put the name of the film and the role I played, but it doesn't really matter. Most CDs don't care where the footage is from as long as it looks good and shows you off. I would NOT indicate student or indie in the demo. You want to use the highest quality clips and ideally everything in your demo should look as close to network or Hollywood standards as possible. You want them to believe that all of your clips are from big films or television so don't give them any indications that they are from low budget projects (they'll be able to tell usually, but you don't need to point it out).

[@aliciaonlineee8297]

Thank you for this!!

[@AugmentedActor]

You’re welcome!

[@ting_chang]

Thanks for the info

[@AugmentedActor]

You’re welcome

[@realindieshortfilms]

Cool! 👍

[@AugmentedActor]

Thanks!

[@mattiasmoller]

Can you do a demo reel where you act against yourself if you don't have anyone who can help you?

[@AugmentedActor]

Those types of videos work for TikTok but may not be the best for a demo reel. Unless they are really well done and clever. It would be a way to present two different characters. But I would opt for just doing a solo scene/monologue instead. If you don’t have much material to put in a demo reel you may not be to the stage where you need one yet. That said any example of your work that you can show someone is better than nothing at all. But I would think it’s better to just post individual clips of yourself as examples of your work and not officially call it a demo reel until you have enough material to make one.

[@binuserkaf]

Thanks!

[@AugmentedActor]

You're welcome!

[@LoveJungle420]

What's the best way to make a reel if you have no money? Imovie?

[@AugmentedActor]

If you are meaning what to edit it on? Sure iMovie is a great option if you are on a mac. And for PC you can try the free version of Davinci Resolve (which also works for mac) but it's a little involved to learn. There are other editing softwares out there too. A quick google search should pull up a list.

[@gaetanovergoglini7558]

Need to get something I shot on You Tube

[@AugmentedActor]

I can interpret that statement two ways. You have something you shot already that you want to upload to KZbin. Or you have a video on KZbin that you need to figure out how to get so that you can add it to a demo reel.