A showreel is a short video that shows casting directors what you can do. Your approach depends on whether you're an established actor with existing footage or a new actor starting from scratch. Either way, you need a showreel that grabs attention in the first 10 seconds.

Established Actors: Use Your Best Existing Work #

If you've already appeared in films or TV shows, you can use those scenes. Choose 2-3 clips that show your strongest work. Put your absolute best scene first because casting directors decide within 10 seconds if they'll keep watching.

Edit these clips together to create a reel of about 90 seconds total. Skip the fancy title cards at the start. Jump straight into your first scene so viewers see you acting immediately.

New Actors: Create Your Own Scenes #

New actors face a problem. You need a showreel to get work, but you need work to get footage. The solution is simple: create your own scenes and film them.

Write 2-3 short scenes that play to your strengths. If you're good at emotional drama, write dramatic scenes. If comedy is your strength, write funny scenes. Each scene should be about 30 seconds long.

You can film with just a smartphone on a tripod. The quality doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to show you can act.

The Critical 10-Second Rule #

Casting directors watch hundreds of showreels. They give each one about 10 seconds before deciding to continue or move on. This makes your opening 10 seconds the most important part of your entire reel. Possibly of your entire career!

Never start with title cards, music, or group scenes where you're hard to identify. Start with you speaking and acting in a strong scene. Make it crystal clear which person you are on screen (have 2 actors who look very different in the first scene so the CD knows who to look at, for example).

If you don't speak in the first 10 seconds, you've already lost the job. Put your contact details at the bottom of the screen throughout the reel instead of wasting time with opening credits.

Keep It Focused: One Genre Only #

Never mix comedy and drama in the same showreel. Never mix languages either. Each showreel should showcase one specific skill in one language.

If you act in both comedy and drama, make two separate showreels. If you speak English and Spanish, create one English reel and one Spanish reel. Casting directors want to see exactly what they're hiring for without searching through mixed content.

This focused approach makes you look more professional. It also saves casting directors time, which they appreciate.

Upload to Vimeo, Not YouTube #

Always use Vimeo for your showreel. YouTube creates a new URL every time you upload a new version. This means everyone you've shared your link with will still see your old showreel.

Vimeo lets you replace your video while keeping the same URL. You can update your showreel 10 times and the link you shared never changes. Everyone always sees your latest version.

This single feature makes Vimeo the only smart choice for actors.

Never Use Password Protection #

Some actors password-protect their showreels. This is a stupid. You're making casting directors work harder to see your work, which creates an unnecessary barrier.

Casting directors also wonder why you're hiding your work. Does it contain stolen material? Is something wrong with it? You're creating doubt before they even watch.

Upload your showreel as unlisted if you want privacy. This keeps it off search results but lets anyone with the link watch it immediately. No passwords, no problems.

What If You Have Nothing to Film? #

If you're completely new and can't create scenes, make a simple self-tape introduction. Stand in front of your camera and talk for 30-60 seconds. Introduce yourself, mention where you're based, and describe any training or experience you have.

This isn't as strong as a proper showreel, but it's better than having nothing. It shows casting directors what you look like and how you sound on camera.

Replace it with a real showreel as soon as you get actual footage from any production.

Take Action Now #

Making a showreel isn't complicated. Choose your best footage or create simple scenes. Edit them with your strongest work first. Upload to Vimeo without password protection. Put your contact details on screen.

Follow the 10-second rule religiously. Keep each reel to one genre and one language. Make it easy for casting directors to see your talent and contact you immediately. Your showreel opens doors, so make those first 10 seconds count.