What Should you Consider When Creating a Showreel Scene?
What should you consider when creating a showreel scene? Well, many things! But here are just a few:
Where is this scene going to fit in your showreel as a whole?
Consider where this scene fits amongst your showreel as a whole. Remember - your showreel is like your CV, and it should only showcase the very best of you. You don't want your reel to feel monotonous, so try to have some variety in the snippets you have chosen to feature. If you have lots of similar scenes on your reel, try to shake it up!
2. What is the power dynamic in the scene?
The power dynamic of the scene is important - who is in charge here? What is their motivation? What is the relationship between the characters? Consider the light you are showing yourself in, and whether the character you are portraying and the dynamic between the characters is appropriate for the energy you naturally bring.
If you're a naturally front-footed person, bring that energy to the scene and the character. Remember, a showreel needs to show the very best of you and needs to be truthful to who you are as a person as well as an actor. You can still show diversity here, and that's a fine line to balance.
You can still play a role in which the character is acting submissive, even if you are naturally a dominant person, but just ask yourself - if I had to be submissive, how would I act? What scenario could I find myself in, and with what type of person, that would cause me to behave this way? How would I feel about behaving this way? Bring that energy to your scene - don’t just mimic similar characters!
3. Are you working within your casting bracket?
Working within your casting bracket is crucial. A showreel isn't the place to be aspirational, it's for showing exactly who you are as a performer right now. As you grow and evolve as an actor, so can your reel - but right now your scenes need to be accurate to the auditions and the roles you could realistically find yourself landing.
4. Why this scene? Why now?
What has made you decide to include this specific scene or character portrayal in your reel? Are you noticing a lot of castings at the moment that you would be perfect for? Have you changed up your appearance, or aged out of the scenes you have currently? Has your energy shifted as you have matured, and you no longer feel your previous scenes reflect you in a truthful way?
Your motivation for creating this specific scene will influence the scene itself, and will help you to be as grounded and aware as possible in your performances.
5. Cut to the chase!
It's a showreel scene, not a short film! We try to create scenes that feel well rounded, but always have a specific snippet that could be used in your reel.
You're only going to want to include the very best section of the scene in your reel (around 20 seconds of it!) so keep that in mind when in the idea-generation phase. Remember - the scene doesn't need to make sense as a stand-alone piece, it just needs to show you giving a strong and believable performance!