A demo reel (also, showreel, sizzle reel, or video reel) is a collection of short clips that showcases one’s abilities in a given sphere to potential employers. Think of it as a personal portfolio in a video format.
By Chasing Illusions
— By chasing illusions
“different use cases for demo reels”
Whether working in media and entertainment, advertising, or both, a strong demo reel is a must for any production company. For a producer, brand, or agency looking to begin a new production, a company’s reel is the first place they will look to make their hiring choice.
By Chasing Illusions
For an advertising agency, the power of your reel comes from the power of your creativity. What brands are really looking for when hiring an agency is a representation of emotions or ideas that are often hard to articulate quickly and clearly.
By Chasing Illusions
A brand reel allows a potential client or customer to immediately understand not only your company and your product(s) but also your values and vision. For a B2B brand reel, you might want to focus more on the story and identity of your company.
By Chasing Illusions
For a commercial director, your reel is your calling card. A director’s reel is an incredibly personal representation of your personality, vision, and work. It should show your skill, experience, creativity, and range all in one presentation.
By Chasing Illusions
While there is a lot of overlap between commercial directors and film directors, a main distinction is the end goal of their reel. A commercial reel is all about sales, using creativity to sell a brand.
By Chasing Illusions
For a director of photography, their art is 100 percent visual, and there is no need to worry about the actor’s performance or the scene’s sound design. The main focus is capturing beautiful shots and jaw-dropping camera work.
By Chasing Illusions
An actor’s demo reel is about creating a collection or montage of your best performances so directors can see your range and abilities. That means you should work to keep things simple, using copies of the footage from your previous work and weaving them together to show your abilities, beginning with a high-impact scene to grab attention.
By Chasing Illusions