Nearly all the showreels I have done have been through word of mouth - I don't advertise - and it's best if you can talk to someone who's had one done by me. There is a list of all my showreel clients (even the one's I fell out with (!)). If there is a name you know, please contact them.
For the list, click here:
There is a genuinely random selection of my reels always online click here to have a look
But read this as well, if you have time...
SHOWREEL INFO
In 1990 I bought an edit suite to make a video film. I also cut together a showreel of my own work and that was seen by a couple of friends so I did theirs. They showed it their friends who rang me up and I did theirs. Everyone showed their reel to their friends and agents who told their clients to ring me and so it snowballed.
But I’m really an actor. For twenty five years, so far. I’ve been very lucky and worked a lot mostly on TV and commercials , though I have played major roles at the National and Stratford East Theatre Royal. And I had the lead in the feature film WEAK AT DENISE, which makes me (technically) a filmstar, much to my surprise. I am was in the regular cast of the BBC TV series CUTTING IT (described as a fuckfest in one National newspaper (but mine was a small, sexless part, the nice dad with a ghastly wife, and I’m kept well away from the plot)). We’ve finished shooting series 4. I’ve done an episode of DOCTORS and half a dozen of EMMERDALES just lately. I wrote, directed and edited SHOT, a forty minute film. I will also happily talk about writing and shooting footage for your reel. We’ve just started doing it, and it’s best if you and I talk about that separately.
What I do:
Creating the showreel is a simple but absorbing process.
It normally takes about three hours and we work in my office at my house, where I live with my wife and some children, all of whom are grown up and most live elsewhere. It’s a domestic environment, it's hopefully a fairly informal and relaxed space, since we will have to work closely and your showreel is a very personal thing. Within the casting process, though, it is rather crude tool and frankly has to get you work or it’s a waste of money. Given the nature of the beast and the way it is used in our business, I believe it is best to have a reel that does not market you too broadly. That is to say very few people who sit down to watch showreels are looking for versatility. They are looking for the very best actor they can get to play the bus driver, the Bank Manager or the randy tramp. If they are casting a villain in a Bond movie, it’s not helpful to see you presenting Blue Peter. Some people who watch your reel will lack imagination.
We can still make a work of art - proper television - if we can - finding your energy and the rhythms and textures of drama within the collection of your work will make it easier to watch and more impressive. In my experience, showreels that are too contrived and over-produced look desperate (and are expensive). A series of short extracts from scenes with varied emotional content will normally do the trick. Passion is bonus. Dull is not an option. Except sometimes (‘dull’ is actually a lucrative casting brief!).
You will bring with you your work which you have recorded off TV or got from the company. Beware shop-bought or rented videos as they often have copy protection. DVDs are best, and I have a wicked gismo which can get round most copy protection routines, and the picture is perfect. My suite will only work with tapes on VHS or Hi-band SVHS, DVD or Mini DV., but almost everyone has their work on one of those formats. On average it takes about 2 ½ hours. Probably you will have talked to your agent about the reel and have ideas of your own, and I hope you’ll let me add ideas and advice. Since I probably don’t know you my first impressions and reactions are useful but your agent, your partner or your friends and relations will have useful things to say because they do know you.
Most people have one reel that covers all areas, yet the reel feels comfortable to watch, or your agent may be happier to have a selection of your work on separate reels each may be only a few minutes, so that he or she can pinpoint the right one for the specific job.
At the end of the session I will have created, from your originals, a showreel.
You should publish the reel on the web, and SPOTLIGHT is really sound. Some people want something about ten minutes long, but a five minute reel will almost always be more successful (and SPOTLIGHT will not let you have more than five minutes), though I have done one that lasted two and a half hours and one that was 30 seconds. (It did the trick and she got the job) You can watch a couple of five minute showreels and you’ll be amazed how quickly you draw your conclusions and get bored. I have an aversion to 'Montage sequences' - a section of video edited to sexy music in which we can see what you look like when you wear glasses, or laugh or fall over - it's the kind of opposite of acting in my opinion. However, these days, since my information is that often people wont watch beyond a minute (yes, isn't it scarey) I often start with three or four ten second 'teases' of what's to come, followed by your name. Obviously we pick the meatiest of the fayre to put up front, and we use the dialogue of the scene if we can and some music can be effective as a score to this section...
so to the reel proper...
You can't make bricks without straw or a silk purse from a sows ear etc., but you'll be amazed how good even lame footage can look with a bit of editing.
I don’t usually use a whole scene; out of context it can be pretty boring, unless it has compelling internal dynamics. If we can do your performance justice in thirty seconds, why linger? Having said that it’s very important to include all the bits that you feel good about and nothing that you are worried about – that’s top priority – so you send it out with pride and confidence. Again, though it’s wrong to generalise, I know, film makes you look fabulous and video makes you look work-a-day. Extracts from THE BILL and CASUALTY are often boring – all talk, no music, unappealing visuals, but MORSE and LONDON’S BURNING - even DOCTORS are glossy and filmatic. It’s not always so (and anyway it’s a matter of opinion), but it’s generally worth bearing in mind.
A scene will always pick up energy as we cut it down. Student films, often shot on 16mm or even 8mm film, or DV, can be great. They are often let down by poor sound which betrays their pedigree, but if the script isn’t actually awful, the medium and the genre can be quite exciting, and you get to play some tasty characters.
If an extract finishes on you then it’s your scene in our mind (so we try always to finish on you) and by taking out a couple of another actors moments we can change the whole focus of the scene. However your acting will look best in a context - we appreciate your performance more if we have a flavour of a story.
I use Adobe Premiere, and changes are quick and easy. We can add titles and music. Most people still expect your reel on DVD and/or the web.
The copies of your showreel are packaged in boxes, with your photo on it as well as details of the content and your representation, if you want. We can take a ‘still’ from the tape and put it onto the cover. The packaging says something about you as soon as it lands on the desk, so it should be given some care.
Usually you take away a copy of the master for approval or comment from trusted sources. Like I said, changes are easy and unless you need to come back, or there is a re-build, there is no additional charge.Then you order copies - with any changes.
There’s about three hundred people who have had their showreel done by me. I don’t advertise at all, I just get recommended, it’s an exclusive club, and most come back to add material as time goes by.
Cost
At the moment I charge £7.50 per quarter hour (£30 an hour) for the edit and £7.00 per copy including box and cover . I don't charge VAT. Most reels can be put together in less than 3 hours. If it takes longer we may have to break it up into two sessions because it’s concentrated work and my brain collapses after three hours. Basically, the time starts when we go into the edit suite, and ends when we emerge.
My availability is often awkward, and given the nature of our business, yours may be the same. If you or I get a job or an interview we may have to re-arrange. Copies may be delayed if I have to go away to work. I do try to keep everything up to date. I don’t mind if you can’t make appointments at the last minute or turn up a bit late - there’s no charge. As my office is at home there is no shortage of coffee, food, fruit juice etc. And a couple of times a technical gliche has screwed up a session and which is just a pain and I will have to sort it and get you to come back. I’m terrible sorry that this does happen, and as some sort of recompense I will cut the edit bill for the showreel in half. Once someone came from Lincolnshire and I forgot they were coming and went to Tesco and obviously that person got everything for nothing and a pound of flesh etc. I am not a proper business - though I am a professional - I am one man band with no staff...
Making your showreel may be the start of a long term relationship and. you’ll come back to add bits and change bits or ring me up for a particular cut off the master for a particular job you’re up for. I’m a follower and disciple of Sky Digital TV and have all the channels, so I may be able to record your movie, drama or sitcom on DVD if you ask me, so we have a perfect original.
And if you don’t like it you don’t pay. If I don't like it you don't pay. If your agent doesn't like it you don't pay.Just return the reel you took away and you’ll owe me nothing. It’s much better to have no showreel than one that doesn’t do you justice.
How to get here...
I live in East London - in Bow, just North of the Blackwall Tunnel. You can easily park here or get the tube to Bromley -By- Bow. No 57 Purdy Street is at end of the street, near the bridge. You get a mobile signal as you leave Bow Road (the station before Bromley By Bow) and I’ll come and get you if you like.
Occasionally I have a bit of a waiting list. Like I said, I am not a business. I do get a bit overwhelmed if I have long periods of acting work as well as a lot of showreels. I try to keep it down to two or three a week. Otherwise it gets like a factory in here and that’s no good for anyone!
I hope to see you soon.
BT x