When you're trying to break into the television industry, a professional, effective video reel of your talents is indispensable. A demo reel consists of several short clips, scenes, or commercials that demonstrate your ability as an actor. Many casting directors review reels to narrow down an initial pool of actors after referencing headshots and resumes. Unprofessional or poor quality reels are tossed out and the actors attached to them are passed over.

As a working actor it is extremely important to maintain a video library of all of your filmed work. Even if you've had many roles in the past, directors and casting agents you are auditioning for might not have seen your work and credits won't mean much to them. So after every performance you give, in a commercial or a student film, make sure the director or producers provide you with a copy of the finished product. Watch every tape or DVD you receive to isolate the best scene or segment. Pull the exact scene you want in your demo reel. You should pick scenes that have your character in focus, and if you have lines of dialogue be sure to include them. Clips that showcase your ability to create a strong and memorable character are key. So are scenes that show you interacting naturally with other characters. Also try to pick out clips that demonstrate as much range as possible, with different character types and looks. You don't want a reel that only shows you acting as a father or a cheerleader, as this leads to a stale type-casting effect.

If you haven't done much television work in the past or any student films, you can still make a demo reel using non-professional footage. You can recruit a friend or a camera operator to film short scenes or monologues especially for you. Casting directors understand that everyone has to start somewhere. If you don't have previous acting credits, showing your determination and energy with a demo reel can be a great help. Just try your best to make your own footage as professional looking as possible, with bright lighting, good framing, and a clear focus. Unless there's a specific reason, you should use close-up shots that show your features well. These scenes don't need to be long, but they should be distinct from each other and entertaining. Whether or not you're using professional film footage, start out your reel with a lighter scene that shows some humor to make the casting director feel comfortable and enjoy your presence. After that you can move on to more dramatic clips, and if you have any commercial footage, place it near the end. Your tape should also start and end with a still photograph or a headshot, along with your name and contact information.

Once you've figured out exactly what clips you want to use for your video reel, its time to actually get the reel produced. Keep in mind that reels should be no longer than ten minutes and ideally close to five. Most casting directors will have made their minds up in the first few minutes. Traditionally video reels have been produced in the VHS format, but the physical video tape has become obsolete. Some agencies might still use them, but it's safe to assume that most places will be equipped to play DVDs, which are far easier to produce and cheaper to boot. Depending on the format of the clips in your possession, you have several options.

If you have basic video editing software on your home computer and the ability to log footage digitally, you can save a lot of money by putting together the reel yourself and burning it to a DVD. The editing itself will be fairly simple, so you don't need professional software or facilities. Likewise if you can find a friend with the skill and hardware necessary, it can be a much cheaper option. If not, there are many small video production companies starting up everyday, and production is shifting heavily toward digital facilities. It won't be as expensive to get a DVD reel produced by a professional studio as it would be to get an old-fashioned master VHS. You could also post an ad online for a one-time editing job. There are plenty of video hobbyists and film students around who are more than competent and would love to earn a few extra dollars putting together a reel. If possible get a copy of the actual movie file they produce and back it up on your own computer so you can easily make additional copies or post it on InstantCast.

Once you've got copies of your video reel in hand you'll be ready to start auditioning with a leg up on the competition.

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