GUEST POST: Disney Auditions and why your demo reel is important by Marie Skillern

I am absolutely delighted that Marie was able to share her industry knowledge with my B.A.B.E. readers about demo reels for Disney. With Disney movies like ‘Into The Woods‘ being shot in the UK right now (and obviously other Disney movies in LA and NY and the world) it’s important as actors that we think about the content on our showreels and how this helps to attract the CD’s attention when they’re choosing between hundreds of up and coming actors. Make yours count.

Disney Auditions – why your demo reel is important

– Marie Skillern

Marie Skillern

Why are ‘demo reels’ important for Disney Auditions? What are they? How do you make demo reels? These and more are just some of questions that parents, teenagers and kids are asking when it comes to creating and using demo reels for their auditions and they will be answered here.

How Important Are Demo Reels?

Demo reels are important in this fast-paced, highly innovative world. They are one of the means for soliciting approval during auditions and casting calls. Getting agents or agencies to represent you is one way of using these reels. But, their main purpose is to be presented to casting directors.

Before, when they were still in videotape format, these reels were used as audition mediums. Now, they are still being used by aspiring actors and performers, but in a more advanced form. Creating a high-quality audio-visual demo reel through the use of a software program is already quite fast and easy today. But, why area lot of demo reels rejected even with the availability of advanced technology?

It is not in the format of the demo reel, but in the content. Below are several of the strongest tips that will make your demo reels interesting to watch and eligible for earning the approval of casting directors:

Effective Ways to Create Attention-Grabbing Demo Reels

1. Keep your demo reel shorter than 2-3 minutes: Always empathise with casting directors, or agents, when it comes to demo reels. You have to think like the casting director and consider whether or not you will be pleased about watching lengthy demo reels. Thousands of demo reels will be presented by hopefuls hoping to have a chance to be spotted by casting directors.

Videotapes, CDs and URLs are sent everyday for casting directors to watch. So, you need to shorten your demo reels as much as possible. If you are lucky, casting directors like those for Disney Channel may give 10 seconds of his or her time to view your demo reel. If you fail to make them sit up and pay attention, you failed in your reel’s main purpose.

2. Start strong on the first few seconds: The first few seconds of your demo reel is critical. Make it as interesting as you can. The first scene or cut should create such a lasting impression that even when the casting directors are viewing another actor’s demo reel, they are still thinking about yours.

3. Show different character types: Create contrasting characters on your demo reels. Also, you have to place real cuts from your previous work on your reels. If you’ve played parts in movies and television shows, these cuts should definitely be included. But, do not limit yourself on these materials. You can also us monologue performances, script reading, student film productions and on-class workshops.

4. Make sure that they get to see your face first: Your face should register first on the demo reel so that the casting director will recognise you on the next cuts. Keep your face large and close to the camera or screen.

5. Must contain only quality content: The audio and video quality must be of high quality. Use a software program that will bring out the best in your acting. If you have to use background music, ensure that it is fitting to the clips you’ve included. The transition should be clear as well so that it won’t be disturbing for the casting directors.

6. As much as possible, keep the focus on you: Even when you have a scene with award winning actors, keep them away from the casting director’s eyes. Keep the focus on you and not on the other actors on the scenes. It is your demo reel, so it should be about you only.

7. Ask professional help:  If you’re not too proficient in making demo reels, you should ask for expert advice. If not, have your reels done by a professional or a group so they can be sure that they get approval ratings, even in auditions for Disney.

As you can see, there are ways for you to ensure that your demo reels will help you succeed in any casting call. Just remember that in such auditions as Disney auditions, they should catch the attention of the people you want to impress.

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Marie Skillern enjoys blogging about disney auditions and the rags to riches stories that goes with it. Over the last four years, Marie has written and published numerous articles on celebrities in different local and international publications.

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