I am pretty new to the industry and have not yet finished my drama degree however I thought I would be safe and try and get an agent before I graduate in 2 years to make life a lot easier for myself. I have a showreel and when writing to agents I tell them about it and ask if I can send it in. When I recieve a reply there is just the usual "we cannot take on an new talent at this time"
Why does no one want to see it, how do they know if I'm any good or not if they don't see it.
Thanks x
Editorial Comment If you are interested in finding out about how an agent thinks, consider attending An Evening With... this week which will feature Glenn Bexfield (long time agent, though now working as a Casting Director).
Yes, it's always seemed to me that agents place more importance on whether or not they have someone of your type, and if there's a good workable chemistry between you - more than a showreel - which usually they havent got time to see.
Put yourself in their position. Would you like to spend hours going over lots of 5 minute showreels piled up in your office when you could just bring the person in if you're curious based on their other details?
Come to think of it, not only have I never sent a dvd of my showreel to anybody - I haven't even printed it to disc yet! It's very much an online thing which you can point a specific potential employer to, and also hope someone might come across while searching.
I was interested in the agent's comments - well, if that's the way they've always done business, that's up to them. But I can assure you that those of us involved in the corporate video production business, who are highly unlikely to have a budget for casting directors or any other intermediaries, find it VERY helpful to be able to watch an online showreel.
That distinction's certainly a valid one, Albert. I think it's quite true there is a market for having a showreel out there, just as it can be useful to have MP3 voice samples of your work. Generally, I think most people who want to see a showreel do make that request explicit, though. And many actors do seem to get a bit obsessed with the idea that sending unsolicited showreels to agents and casting directors is a brilliant move. When, as David Padbury just seems to have confirmed, most agents and casting directors don't agree.
I feel that Albert rather missed my point. The lady who posed the original question still has two years to go to complete her course. Therefore I feel that her money could be better spent elsewhere at this stage of her career.
My younger clients have what is to my mind a better idea. They make actual short films that have a dual purpose - they can, of course, be used as showreels but they can als be entered into short film festivals. This means that everyone in the film gets a chance to be seen and they can share the not inconsiderable cost. They also get a stab at writing and directing as well as cinematography. We have one such project on the stocks at the moment and I am doing everything I can to assist. However, it is very definitely their project.
Rarely am I asked by a CD for a showreel (unless it's for presenters or overseas). CD's will, quite rightly, assume that because an actor is being submitted for a role by a recognised agent, that actor is up to the job. Whether the actor fits what the CD has in mind is quite another thing - hence the audition process.
I didn't want to give the impression that a showreel is a useless waste of money - it isn't - but it does have its limitations. To do one before graduation is, in my view, premature.
I wholehearted agree with the posters here who say "hang on". In a short while, you will be in the best position to blitz those agents and CDs, with a showcase and/or final year productions. That will be when people will take a big interest in you, and it sounds like you've got the right attitude in place to maximise your exposure.
On the other point that is developing here... has anyone got a TV/paid film job out of sending off their showreel?
Being involved in low budget production recently, I found showreels invaluable in the casting process when doing an initial search, as we are not approaching agents or employing CDs.
So are showreels only good for getting unpaid work, ie more showreel material?? Not that it's a bad thing, as the experience and networking opportunities are far ranging.(sometimes)
It would be nice to know that a showreel can get the numerous unrepresented masses a look-in occasionally, alongside the lucky few with agents (Don't get me started on THAT again!)
Would be nice to hear some success stories!
An alternative method is to have your own website.
(The trouble with showreels as I found many moons ago is that sometimes as soon as I'd invested time in prepping one, I'd then do something else I'd want to add to it!)
THE PLUS POINTS ARE:
*Greater flexibility. It can be continually updated to be quite extensive. I use mine as a living gallery/shop window. The visitor can choose what pieces of yours they'd like to see that match the project they're considering you for - and get a more detailed look at your background should they wish to. Moreover, they're not hidebound by the typical 5 minute time limit usually suggested (Isn't this why the CCP designers added this a feature to member profiles? )
*Secondly, when your agent sends employers your Spotlink, then can also submit your website link as well (My agent does this).
*As for the cost, you can buy off-the-shelf kits if you don't have talented lean-on-able' mates - and the cost of buying web space per year is no more than you would probably spend on regularly updating and reprinting covers etc for your showreel!
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