The best showreels would have you playing a multitude of transformational characters opposite Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep, being directed on 35mm by Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay on IMAX. At that point in your career though, you would no longer need one....

When starting out, what then, is the purpose of a showreel?

* For us to see what you look like on screen
* For us to hear what you sound like
* For us to see if we believe you
* For us to see how we might cast you

If you have been in the industry for a while, you might add to that list:

* To re-brand yourself by choosing a role you’ve always wanted to play.

What WE do...

1) …Use natural light where possible and simple but effective lighting otherwise. Why have a showreel in almost complete darkness? People want to see what you look like, let's show you in your best light. Literally.

2) …Suggest that unless an accent is specifically required, use your own natural accent. Why put on a South African accent when you want a role on an Aussie show? Your natural accent is the most appealing and therefore the most likely to get you work.

3) …Recommend and help select (or write) scenes unreliant on far-fetched 'context' and never well-known scenes from famous films. Scenes with guns, car chases, faux cop uniforms and fake doctor’s surgeries tend to be more than a little embarrassing. Don’t draw attention to what you don’t have.

4) …Direct you in a role that is most likely to get you cast. Why play Quasimodo when you are perfect for juvenile leads? (Or vice versa)

But hang on....

"I've seen showreels cheaper than yours. Is that true?" Yes and no. Whether you go with us or go with them, we believe you will get what you pay for.

As far as we know, the prices quoted for other reels rarely include rehearsals or classes and when they do, they are shot at the culmination of a long and costly course. Several of our packages include hours of rehearsals up front and with some of our packages, you could have a showreel online a day or two after booking it (Sneak Peek & Maverick).

The other point to raise there is that you cannot shoot more scenes for the same price without the average quality dropping. (Once again, you get what you pay for) Showreels Australia offers a range of different reels at affordable prices with optional services, should you wish to upgrade the package you choose. The aim is that there is something here for every budget, with no hidden fees or charges.

"Can I share my showreel with a friend and cut the cost in half?"
Er...You can. But we try to discourage it.

Look at it this way: If they aren't a good actor, you lower the viewer's opinion of you. If they are a better actor than you, they'll totally upstage you. Either way, when an agent or casting director views your scene, you want them to be thinking of nothing but you. This is impossible in an equally weighted scene.

Showreels Australia attempts to edit largely in your favour (something you'll never get by recording your episode of All Saints from TV). The other person only needs to be present enough to make it realistic and dramatically interesting, but you're paying so you should get the screen time.

"Your scenes seem to be edited differently to everyone else's"

Thanks for noticing!

As mentioned above, when you send your work out to agents, directors and casting directors, you want them thinking all about you. Our scenes include enough of the other person to make it dramatically coherent, but not enough to take the focus away from your performance. Most actors are shocked to shoot a week on Underbelly and find out they had a minute's screen time.

Shoot a reel with Showreels Australia and have the lion's share of the screen time. After all, it's a show-reel. Not much point if you've got nothing to show.

"Well then, why not shoot an equally weighted scene, but edit it twice, each time favouring a different actor?"

Believe me, Showreels Australia has looked at all the options to try and create the best deal for you. If your scene partner sends out a reel that has 80% them to 20% you, the next time the industry sees that reel they will think they've already watched it and switch it off. They will not know that the second time around is 80% you to 20% them.

"The scenes are quite subtle. I thought showreels were supposed to be more dramatic"

We can get as dramatic as you like. Largely, though, we avoid scenes with loads of yelling and screaming and slapping and snot-running-down-the-face because casting directors and agents tell us they simply aren't interested. (The ones we've seen usually aren't done very well anyway)

Yes, showreels are supposed to be interesting and show range, but don't mistake colour and movement or noise for range. Remember, showreels will rarely ever get you a job, only an audition. Leave them wanting more and they will see more possibilities in you. Playing the role of a "left-handed, hunch-backed, ADD junkie on the moon in 1974", though fun and transformational, leaves nothing to our imagination and makes you next to impossible to cast.

“I don't recognise any of the scenes you have on your showreel examples”

Good to hear. We want viewers to be totally immersed in the experience of Showreels Australia’s scenes.

The greatest compliment we repeatedly receive is that when viewers reach the end of a scene they had forgotten they were even watching one. Most often we hear "I thought I was actually watching a scene from a film or TV show". A number of our scenes are written by us, by our clients themselves (and edited by us) and devised through our own unique improvisation technique (inspired by Mike Leigh and Robert Lepage).

Even the scenes taken from known films are the more obscure ones with all names changed to avoid comparisons in the viewer's mind. Why would you want us to be watching you and comparing you to Brad Pitt?"

“I can’t afford a full 2/3-scene showreel. Is it better to get a Maverick or wait until I can afford a full 2/3- scene piece?”

The most important thing is quality. Quality of performance, quality of picture, quality of sound. You are better off with one quality scene than five scenes that are unwatchable. By all means save for a Blockbuster, but even a quality Maverick today is better than a Blockbuster in two years.


Have more questions? Feel free to e-mail us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Go to the Contact Us page.