!nstant demo reel

This is your checklist (not in any particular order):
Click here for a printable version. (PDF)

Logistics:

ARRIVE EARLY!

It's very important that you schedule your shoot on a day and time when you will have no problem arriving at least 15 minutes early. The last thing you want to do is rush in the door seconds before your shoot and have to go to the bathroom, do your makeup or call your scene partner to find out if they're on their way. When your appointment time starts we want to get right to work. This is a timed session and will begin at your appointment time. So, this means make sure you take into account TRAFFIC, PARKING and MURPHY'S LAW. Click here to be taken to a map.

Wardrobe:

bring at least two clothing options for each role you are going to play. If you have a scene partner, advise them to do the same. Avoid white, black, and red shirts-and busy prints. Medium tone colors like blues, greens, purple, pink, and browns are the best. Go for a style that will reflect the character, and if you are doing more than one scene find ways to make the characters look different, you don't want it to look like a different scene from the same movie!

Make-up:

Women should do their own make-up prior to arrival. Bring your make-up case for touch ups. For both men and women we have powder if you start to shine.

Props:

Some of our clients bring a couple of small props, if necessary. But too many props can distract from your performance, and in a lot of cases, since we tend to shoot mosly close-ups, we won't see that many props to begin with. We want this to be about YOU not the props or set! If you want to bring something that requires more than one person to carry to our studio, please call beforehand and make sure it can be done.

Scene Partners:

It's very important to choose a reliable scene partner. We've seen it too many times where an actor has to wait for their scene partner. So choose wisely. Get the best actor you can-as that will help your performance. But know enough about them to assess whether or not they'll be reliable.

Be Prepared:

This should definitely go without saying, but we wouldn't be saying it if we also haven't seen this happen. Know your lines and be well rehearsed. Yes, some actors show up for a paid shoot and spend half of the time trying to remember their lines. Unless you're strictly using your tape as an educational tool (how to be unprepared for a shoot) then have your lines fully memorized. Nothing comes off worse on tape than a "line reading."

how to prepare

"As the Creator of the "CSI" franchise, I personally comb through thousands of Speed Reels clients via the internet in search of new talent. I have used many of their clients on all three shows. Speed Reels is my 'ace in the hole' when looking for the next best thing."

- Anthony E. Zuiker/
Creator of CSI franchise

"The IDR tape got me a new agency!"

- Louise Linton

"SpeedReels is an actor's dream! Coming from a primarily London West End theater background, I had few TV or film roles that showcased my true talent. SpeedReels provided the forum for me to create, film, and edit my own scenes for immediate use on my reel. SpeedReels is the perfect tool for any actor needing to add substance to their reel. I used SpeedReels to create a reel when I did not have one; and I now also have the 60 second reel they created for me, as an excellent internet marketing tool. This has been instrumental in securing representation and booking jobs! Thank you SpeedReels! You're the beset!"

- Kerri