Get Reel LA: Tips

From Kevin E. West, veteran working Actor and the Founder/President of The Actors' Network:

		Due to the way the industry functions today, a good reel can increase your chances of getting representation and booking a job by 200%.

		Unless an Actor has a tremendous referral, nine out of 10 representatives will not take a meeting without a reel, and it's very unlikely they'll take the time to go to a website to watch one.

		Approximately 500-1000 Actors per month arrive in LA to become part of the entertainment industry.

		According to SAG/AFTRA statistics, out of 150,000 Actors, only 10% of them are working. Having a well produced reel will drastically enhance your chance of breaking into these numbers.

"Why wait six months on your student film? It may never get finished, much less be technically produced in a way for the footage to be used. Getting results quickly, and within a well-produced environment, is invaluable."

- Kevin E. West

Picking Scene Material:

LA loves stereotypes. Picking a scene which showcases your stereotype can lead to a very smart marketing tool. The clip you use in your reel will be short, so the character type you choose should be obvious within the first 10 seconds of viewing.

This will make it easier for everyone. Stay away from scripts that depend too much on location. You want the script to highlight you, not the location.

You should have at least two buttons! A button is a piece of dialogue that your editor can use to open or close your scene. It's an important tool that grabs our attention in the beginning, and leaves us satisfied at the end. Buttons can turn your scene into a 2 Minute Movie, with a beginning, middle and end.

Even though its two minutes, you still need a climax. Choose material that has one clean turn; either an event or a piece of dialogue. Your moment should be simple and to the point.

Scene Partners:

Team up with an Actor you know and trust. It's not mandatory that they're a different type than you, but it is helpful in setting you apart. If you don't know anyone offhand, ask around in your acting classes or acting auditions.

Your 2 Minute Movie is a permanent acting audition tape, so make sure you're showcasing your full potential. If you don't go with our Get Reel LA Director, make sure you and your scene partner rehearse on your own before the shoot. Because like the real world, you only get two takes to get it right!

Your Shoot Day:

Your crew is on a schedule, so if you're late, that means less camera time for you.

You get two takes to get it right, so make sure you've rehearsed! If you're using props, work with them before you're on set.

You need to look like the character, but more importantly: You need to look GREAT. This is LA. Know what colors look best on you. Choose a wardrobe that highlights your best features.

Your 2 Minute Movie is Finished...Now What?

Now that you have your 2 Minute Movie, you should find an Editor who specializes in Actors Demo Reels. Make sure you shop around, view the demos, and choose the editing style that works best for you. Most Editors charge an hourly rate.

How your 2 Minute Movie appears on your resume is up to you. Feel free to ask for suggestions and we'll let you know...off the record.

Once your reel is complete, get out there and share it. We suggest checking out The Actors' Network (www.Actors-network.com). Take advantage of as many Acting Workshops, Casting Director Seminars and Acting Classes as you can. The more you're in the mix, the more people you'll meet. The more people you meet, the better chance you'll have of getting into the right Acting Auditions and signing with your preferred Acting Agent.

FEATURED ARTIST

Molly McCann
Check out Get Reel LA's very own Molly McCann! Her footage helped her get cast in the 2008 Drama "Fireflies In the Garden" and an Apple iphone commercial!

Click here to view Molly's 2 Minute Movie.