Just some tips on what you should have/bring/expect:

If you’re an actor, and you want to put together a demo reel to show casting people, hopefully you have already recorded at least a couple of scenes. If you haven’t, you need to find a good scene or two, plus a scene partner, and work on getting them honed to a commercial performance level. Find someone knowledgeable (preferably, a director or acting coach) who can watch you and give suggestions on how to improve your performance. If you don’t have/can’t find a scene partner, work up a couple of monologues.

I can personally recommend a fine acting coach-her name is Jeannie Hartman, her website is:

http://www.jeannehartmanactorsdetective.com/

Once you’re ready, collect all your source material (DVDs, VHS tapes, etc. if you have recorded stuff, copies of your scenes/monologues if you don’t) and find an editing studio. If you are recording material, you need a studio that can also put you on-camera and tape you. In the Los Angeles area, the studio I know of that tapes actors’ audition scenes inexpensively is EditPlus. If you’re somewhere else, sorry, I don’t know who does that in your area.

For anyone who is editing: the previous paragraph applies – gather up all your source material that you have recorded on. Look through them and make yourself a “paper edit”- a list of scenes you want and where they begin (Example: “Approx. 13 minutes from the beginning”, “1:34:52″ if you have a miniDV tape and you can see the time). If you’re not sure about including something, note that, and discuss it with the editor. She/he can help guide you to make the finished product look its best.

If you have pictures or videos that you want to include, make sure you bring them. The more prepared you are, the more efficient your editing session is. That saves you time, which of course, saves you money.

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