Can you let me know if my demo is effective?

Can you let me know if my demo is effective?

  • Yes

    Votes: 2 25.0%
  • No

    Votes: 6 75.0%

  • Total voters
    8
I liked the first scene. Not so much the rest. You block out the email address at the end too much and the Karate guys (neither of them look like you.}
 
Hey thanks Zblock for taking the time to check out my stuff! What did you mean about you didn't like the rest of the video so much? Was it a matter of the content or skills? Thats pretty much all i have to put on a video. Do you think its a matter of editing? I figured the audience would be able to understand the guy with the shaved head in the martial art clip is the same guy with the shaved in the other clip. Also I see what you mean about the e-mail address. Do you have any work that I could check out? I would like to see where you are coming from

Thanks for the feedback!
 
Not sure what you want to use this for so my feedback may not help all the way. But I have trained actors, former talent agent and done casting on and off for a very long time...so I do have opinions on this stuff and will try to share them...

If this is to get film work...you should not have stage performance on it. The footage after that seems to be a homemade movie that was taped off of the TV while it was on. That should not be used for multiple reasons, including the quality of both the footage used and the way it was shot and edited to begin with. On the next shoot...I would edit it a little more. Maybe the 1st cutaway shot of the girl and the last shot of her screaming....better to leave them wondering what you did!

As ZBlock mentioned, the last shots don't look like you so maybe you add some photos of your different looks at the end.

This is also a bit too long. Under 2 minutes is better. Quicker splices. Casting often will only watch the first 20-30 seconds and switch it off if it does not catch their attention and if you go much past 2 minutes, most will not watch the entire thing unless you are a seasoned actor with a massive reel and resume.

If I was still an agent handling new talent, I would tell you to lose the stage stuff, lose all the shots from the next one, tighten the last scene, toss on the 'looks' and that would probably get it under 2 minutes and keep them watching it all the way through.

That's my two cents...

Michele
 
Michele, thank you so much for taking the time to check my reel! As far as the stage footage and the scene that follows goes, I guess I was trying to squeeze something out of nothing- trying to add some variety i guess. Great idea about adding some different looks at the end. Also are the opening/closing sequences too long or necessary? Anyway your reply has been very very helpful!

Thanks!!!!!!
 
Opening is a tad too long and looks like you tried to make it a movie open. don't need all of that. shots of you with proper contact info and maybe some stats is all you need at the open and close.
 
Sure SteelReel, I'll just link my youtube account and you check out some of what I've done. Or my imdb link. http://www.youtube.com/user/one66bigfoot

For the content or skills question... I think your going to be using this to show off YOUR ACTING CHOPS. So you would want to showcase your VERY best acting ability. The problem for most people is that they don't have enough footage to compile into a reel. Try to get some higher quality stuff along the lines of roles you'd like to be cast in in the future and make a new reel.

IMO you should get rid of the stage act because even though it was kinda funny I could't hear what was being said which left me asking why did you choose THIS to show off.

Hope that helps man. Good luck with the 2nd cut. See if you can rent a camera or whatever and do a few scenes with another actor. It'd be something at least.
 
Again Z thank you much for your insight. I took a look at your stuff and its pretty tight. Keep up the great work!

I'm going to re edit my reel... and I will be back with it soon!

Thanks
 
The first thing I would suggest is lose the "title sequence" and go straight to that first scene which is very strong. Put your name over the opening shot with your face so people know this is you (and not the other guy). If this is for film work lose the stage scene (I couldn't hear it anyway and I've never seen stage work on an actors "film" reel.) I think the other two scenes could do with a re-edit as the cutting is a bit sloppy and particularly on that last clip the performance of the actress isn't great and detracts from your performance. Then simply end with your name and contact details. Keep it very simple and professional looking.

Again, that first scene is very strong so make the most of that and try keep it all that level.

Good luck.
 
HuckLBerry, thank you so much for taking the time to view my reel. I took a look at your work and I think it looks fantastic! I will definitely take your advice. Thanks again!
 
Check out this video from the SAG Foundation LifeRaft series. This panel discussion was originally available only to SAG members but the Foundation has made it available publicly.

Don't think I can embed the video here so I've posted it on my web site at:

The Real Deal On Actor Reels
 
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