Everything You Need To Know About Casting Reels

You have made the decision that you want to become a serious working actor and either snag an agent or audition for a role. So what is the next step that you need to take you may be asking? Making your self a casting/demo reel. This is essentially your advertisement to people showing all you are capable of doing in the acting world. Casting or demo reels are used to send to agents and or casting directors in order to grab their attention by putting selections of your highest quality material together in order to get them to want to sign and represent/cast you in a role. Casting/Demo reels are quickly becoming the most important part of professional casting submissions- even more important to some, than headshots and resumes. Many actors use clips from student films, independent films, web series, or privately produced productions to make their reel. But if you are just starting out it is acceptable to record yourself (or someone record you), performing various scenes. Below are a few tips and suggestions that you may find helpful in beginning your journey to making your casting/demo reel!

Do and Don’ts to Remember!

• Casting Reel should be 60-90 seconds tops. No longer. You don’t want to do the entire scene or show your entire part from the play you are using…leave them wanting MORE!
• Most of the time the viewer decides if they like you from in the first 10 seconds, so GET their attention and KEEP it!
• Know your type (what types of characters you are best at playing (examples: Comedy, Preppy, Serious, Dramatic etc.) and focus your material in a way that highlights it. As your reel continues you can diversify and show your range. 
• If using more than one clip have each self contained, and run about 15-20 seconds depending on the amount of clips.
• Label each individual clip; at the top of the clip
• This way you will have a large variety of clips to choose from and the viewer can pick and choose which they want to see or send.
• Make your reel easy for people to view; instead of emailing the intended person a huge email file they will have to download then load. Try making it a click-able link...this could be the difference between getting seen or ending up getting deleted.
• Make your reel focus on YOU! Even if other actors are in the scene, avoid covering them too much.
• At least 75% of your reel should cover you, they want to see your face, emotions, and how you convey yourself, and your body movements because as we all know these things can make or break a scene!
• Have someone who has an objective eye (NOT your mother or other family members who think nothing YOU do can be wrong/different/better!) to help you edit to get to your final copy.
• Make sure your reel is good quality (High Definition) and professional.
• Finally, make sure your contact information is easily viewable in the video. You want them to be able to contact you without having to hire a decoder to decipher your information. After all that hard work you want them to be able to easily contact you when they realize you are the next SUPERSTAR! 

How to Make a Casting Reel!

• Get sides (aka Script)
• Slate into camera -If the audition you are doing the reel for has their specific set of slate rules follow theirs. 
• Then turn head a little and look next to the camera
• Deliver lines (scene)
• Look back at camera when you are done with lines/scene
• Person who is assisting with the scene/other character should not read lines exaggerated, but in a tone above mono-tone 
• When the script calls for direction (such as character closes door; take the direction but minimize it) so pretend you are closing the door or whatever the direction states, but NEVER turn your back to the camera even if in script.
• Make sure you have a plain background/wall (no bright colors stick with neutrals such as white, cream, beige, etc.)
• Wear solid color shirt with absolutely no logos, patterns, pictures, or other distracting things. Also make sure it compliments your skin tone
• Appearance should be clean cut, nothing extravagant, look presentable!

*Last but not least… Remember the golden rule when it comes to Casting Reels: “No Reel is BETTER than a BAD reel”.

New York Talent Scout Visits Starbound

This past weekend Starbound Talent held auditions for the upcoming trip to IMTA Los Angeles. The auditions featured IMTA veteran, former Broadway and Television actor, David McCowen. David came to Starbound Talent all the way from New York for this special event. Mr. McCowen along with the extraordinary talent finders Starbound Presidents Wendi Davis and Justin Shivak held auditions from Saturday to Sunday hoping to find those special few.

Auditions were being held for a multitude of talents including singers, actors, dancers, and models, along with a new section at IMTA for songwriters to name a few. The purpose of this event was to find through auditions the many talented women, men, and children who reside here in Toledo and surrounding areas of Lucas County. Those who show superior talent are then chosen by Starbound to attend classes and hone their craft even further in hopes they will be ready to attend the annual IMTA Convention that is being held in Los Angeles this year. 

Those wising to audition came to Starbound Saturday or Sunday. Participants were first shown a video with talent from IMTA who has gone on to become famous and able to work in their respective industries and make a living doing what they love to do. The video even featured a few stars from Toledo, Ohio such as Adrianne Palicki, Alyson Stoner, Olivia Stuck, and others that have came from Starbound Talent and have went on to star in blockbuster movies, television shows, print ads and more. 

Then it was time to Audition! Seeing a mixture of emotions in the participants from nervous energy and anxious (mainly from the older ones) while the littler ones were ready to show out…in a good way. There were a few little kids who stood out to me, and who you could definitely tell were there because they wanted to and not because mommy or daddy “made them”. A little boy named Nathan who looked to be 5 or 6 walked the runway and ended with an “uhh why?” look and stance (I later found out dislikes modeling class which explained it all!). It came time for him to recite his commercial and he nailed it, and the cute voice only made it that much better. Then there was another little girl by the name of Gigi who even before she went to audition was giving facial expressions and looks that had me giggling to myself.  Then this little girl got up to do her audition and the expressions her face gave let you know she loves to act. Then she exclaimed was the line “Chomp or Bite-Ohh I don’t know!” which only added to the cute factor. 

Ok! I know it is starting to seem as if I am a little biased towards the children, but what can I say? Whitney Houston said it best; they are our future and so stinkin’cute!

Now… On to the others where we had a variety of ages auditioning, there were also a few standouts. There was a teenage boy named Chase who played a cover acoustic version of a song and had me, and everyone else swaying and tapping our feet in our seats. This young man had the vibe all the little teenage girls would love and I can see him one day performing and the girls going as the kids say CRAY! Also a young man by the name of Keyron who has done local shows around Toledo and who’s audition was very funny. Last but not least we had a young lady by the name of Moriah who was there to support her friend and was not planning to even audition. She ended up reading a screen test playing the part of the “airhead” exact and hilariously. Then she sang a song and her voice was very unique and calming. Just goes to show you never know when an opportunity or talented person may be.

All in all it was a very successful weekend and many talented people were found and chosen and will hopefully represent Starbound Talent at IMTA this upcoming January. Contrary to popular belief Toledo does breed talent!

So if you or anyone you know has that “IT” factor and has a talent you feel needs to be seen. Make sure you give Starbound Talent a call! We’d love to help you hone your skills and live your dream career. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @STARBOUND_TALENT.

Thank you to everyone who auditioned!

Starbound's IMTA Success: The Adult Actors

       

Starbound’s group of teenage and adult actors performed exceptionally well at in NYC at IMTA. Each of them arrived to NYC with a determination to prove they were the best and with goals to start a career in the industry. By the end of the week, the group fell in love with the city and were even more excited to move forward with their acting careers. 

Shirley came to us from New Jersey and was a part of the Starbound NYC team. She had been pursuing acting for a few years and was ready to take the next step and find an agent or manager who would represent her in the industry. She auditioned for IMTA and with the help of her acting coach, she was able to impress the judges and receive a scholarship to the New York Film Academy. 

Abby, avid in her high school plays and productions, came to Starbound knowing she wanted to be an actress. Her love for the craft caused her desire for a bigger stage to grow. The combination of her workshops at Starbound and her high school stage experience prepared her for the big stage in NYC!

Kelly came to Starbound with no prior acting experience. Her family knew she light up in front of the camera. After auditioning with Starbound, her natural talents came to light. Kelly was able to increase her confidence in workshops preparing her to take on the stage in NYC.

Asia knew acting was her passion at a young age. This passion took her to Toledo School for the Arts where she honed her acting and dancing crafts. Coming to Starbound was the next step in her acting experience. She worked with Starbound in preparation for NYC.

Vince’s love for film and acting lead him to Toledo School for the Arts. After attending TSA, Vince found a talent for music as well. The combination of music and acting sent Vince throughout the country as he went on tour and acting gigs. Vince was able to encourage everyone in workshops and better his fellow actors while bettering himself. His natural instinct and passion showed as he competed at IMTA in NYC.

Lande had a craving for the entertainment industry that lead her to star in short films throughout the area. With aspirations to start a career in the industry, Lande auditioned for Starbound. Her talent and versatility were enhanced as she spent time in workshops. She was able to take NYC by storm once she hit the stage!

        Jay’s outgoing personality and natural acting instincts brought him to Starbound. Honing his craft was no issue as he performed in workshops. In workshops, Jay was able to pick the perfect piece for his personality allowing him to shine on stage in NYC!

Anna’s spunk and sass showed when she auditioned for Starbound. After performing in workshops, she was able to show her versatility as she took on dramatic roles as well. Her talent showed at each audition she had in NYC.

Awards

Lande

Cold Read – 4^th Place

Improvisation – 4^th Place

Monologue – 4^th Place

Singing – 4^th Place

TV Real People – 4^th Place

Shirley

Monologue – 4^th Place

Abby

Improvisation – 4^th Place

Monologue – 4^th Place

Vince

Improvisation – 4^th Place

Jay

Monologue – 4^th Place

Anna 

Female Young Adult Actor of the Year – Honorable Mention

Monologue – 4^th Place

Screen Test – 4^th Place

Kelly

Monologue – 4^th Place

Tips From An Industry Mom

Brianna Lanzen

After her daughter Brianna competed in IMTA NYC 2014, she signed with an agency and manager in NYC and LA!  Brianna and her mom Jennifer spent pilot season in LA shortly after. Jennifer quickly learned the ropes of the industry from a parent’s viewpoint. 

Here are Jennifer’s top 4 tips to all the new industry parents.

1. Celebrate everything!  From finishing an audition tape correctly, to getting an actual audition, to receiving a call back...even if you don't get it...every step is important.  I have heard a million times already, "It's a game of chess, not checkers."  It takes awhile to make connections and learn.  Celebrate those steps along the way!

2. Don't wait for your agent and manager to do all the work.  Sure, they are working hard but nobody will look for every small opportunity for your child like you do. Check out local film schools for short films, call local production companies for local commercial work and do extra work!  Even though the extra work shouldn't go on a professional resume, it is great experience and there is so much terminology used on set that your child can start getting used to in a safe group environment.

3. Get your child in improv classes....they seem to help in literally every situation.

4. Leave early for auditions.  There is nothing worse than your child blowing an audition because they were stressed  about being late.  Leave early, stop at a smoothie shop across the street, take a deep breath and have fun with the audition!

Hopefully, these tips aid in the success of you and your child as you enter the entertainment industry! 

Tanner Buchanan to Co-Star with Kiefer Sutherland

Starbound Talent is excited to update you on our star, Tanner Buchanan! Tanner has been working hard this year. In 2016, he already has been in multiple television shows. Tanner can be seen in the TV Series ‘Game Shakers’ on Nickelodeon, ‘The Fosters’ on ABC Family, and the film ‘The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards’. Currently, Tanner is filming the series ‘Designated Survivor’ with co-star, Kiefer Sutherland!  

        ‘Designated Survivor’ is a drama thriller telling the story of “A low-level Cabinet member is appointed President after a catastrophic attack kills everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession.” Tanner plays the character Leo Kirkman in the upcoming series. 

The first time Tanner came to Starbound, he performed a tap dance routine that included a back flip! Starbound Talent took Tanner to IMTA when he was 9 years old. After IMTA, Tanner’s career took off. He has been working in the industry for the last eight years. Keep your eye out for Tanner in ‘Designated Survivor” airing this fall! 

Below is a clip of Tanner from the TV Series "Girl Meets World"