Showreels. Every actor needs a showreel - a compilation of work to showcase one's skills to potential employers. A visual resume. A demonstration of one's skill sets.
The question I get all the time is: "How do I make a reel when I haven't had any professional work?"
As a regularly working actor with a full body of work, of course you want to show that you're experienced and working currently so you would be using footage from network programs and films you've been cast in as materials for your reel.
As a part time working actor, you'll most likely have a mix of network programs, films, student & short films, new media such as webseries and even independent and self produced work in your reel.
As an auditioning actor who is fresh to the industry, your reel could be made up of a few things:
STUDENT FILMS
Film making schools are a great resource for getting materials as their students' assessments is to make a film in order for them to be graded. What else is required for film making? Actors! Get in contact with your local film making schools and ask about how you can be notified of any auditions coming up for their student projects. Some have a register you can sign up to. Others may provide you with lecturer's details to get in contact with and some may even provide you with student contact details themselves.
If you have a business card or a website, you may be able to provide that and leave it with the institution to provide to their students which is even better business skills on your part because you've done the work for them!
INDEPENDENT FEATURE / SHORT FILMS
There are plenty of websites like backstage.com and starnow.com that provide breakdowns for independent feature films and short films alike. Some of these even come through film making schools too! Research local production companies who do these sorts of projects on the side to build up their portfolio. Research bodies that provide grants to film makers, writers, etc and see if any projects are within reach - both locally and time wise. Get in contact with said schools and production companies with you enquiry, attach your materials so they can put it on file for when a project does arise, they've got your stuff to reference straight away.
WEB SERIES
Web Series are really picking up steam these days. With short attention spans and binge watching being the norm, web series are a fantastic way to get footage, get exposure through festivals and online distribution and it's a great way to grow your network and connect with fellow industry peers. You can find auditions for these everywhere - film making schools, social media, breakdown websites - you just have to look!
SELF PRODUCED
Do you have a smart phone? Do you have an editing program? Have you got actors? Thats all you need to create your own work! Get together with a bunch of your peers, start writing scenes, short form scripts and start recording them. Once recorded, then you can edit it into your reel!
SELF TESTS
This is probably my most controversial one as this is the way I see it.
When you go into a casting office, what you put down in the office is the same as a self test set up. It's this footage that is set to production and if they decide, you are cast. What's the difference between the self test in the casting office compared to the self test that you create for your reel - unless the lighting and sound is terrible - then nothing.
I personally don't believe in playing showreel companies thousands of dollars to produce 2 "professionally graded" scenes when you'll be updating your reel in a couple of months with new work or to showcase increased ability in skill which is why I favour the Self Test method if an actor doesn't have other shot materials to use.
EDITING
Put your best scene at the beginning
Make sure it's engaging every 10 seconds or you risk the audience tuning off & stop watching
Maximum 2 mins - no longer
Always leave them wanting more
Put your details at the end - not at the beginning
Don't put the title/character info in the clip - you don't want anything distracting away from your performance
Make sure the scenes feature you and we can see YOU and your eyes CLEARLY
CHECKLIST
Do I have any footage from student projects?
Have I contacted my local film schools?
Do I have any footage from Independent Features or Shorts?
Am I signed up to local casting directories/ websites?
Do I have any footage from Web Series?
Am I looking for breakdowns every single day?
Have I created my own content?
What am I doing to grow my network?
Do I have the right set up for a self test?