Guide to editing professional showreels
As an experienced BBC-trained video editor, I am frequently commissioned for my actor showreel editing services. In this blog article, I offer some tips to help make the process more efficient and affordable for anyone needing a showreel professionally edited.
Efficient workflow
Being organised will help make the editing process more efficient and affordable. The style of your showreel will depend on the content and roles you would like to feature. Some examples of the style of actor showreel include:
- Selection of shots edited to music.
- Selection of scenes with actors’ programme sound, no additional music.
- A combination of the first two.
- Specialist showreels feature content for specific roles, such as motion capture showreels.
Sourcing content
Ideally, any content featured in a showreel should be of the highest quality. The programme or film director, producer, or editor may need to provide high-quality files, which can then be sent to the showreel editor for editing.
Ideally, any files for editing would be free of on-screen timecode or watermarks and have a resolution of 1920×1080 or greater. However, you may be able to obtain only entire programmes or films rather than individual scenes.
Selecting best scenes
For a recent showreel edit, I was sent copies of whole short films and TV programmes and asked to review and then shortlist the best scenes for the actor. I then sent the actor a list of time codes with the in-and-out words for them to review.
Given my showreel editing experience, I sometimes get trusted and free rein to make the best selections, which the actor can then give feedback on. Sometimes, an actor will know precisely how they want their showreel editing and will direct the editing process. Sometimes, it’s a combination of input from the actor and myself.
You can see which order works best for the content in the showreel once the selected scenes are edited together, and any edit changes can be made as required.
You may be able to obtain original camera rushes if you would like to feature particular filmed shots that did not make the final edit. Original camera footage might need colour grading. If it’s a speaking part, you must also ensure you have the best sound recording.
Additional information
Consider what additional information you want to add to your showreel. The opening slate would show just your stage name for a few seconds. White text on black is the classic style.
At the start of each scene, you might add the name of the film or programme, the channel or client it was broadcast on or delivered to, and the director’s name. You may also add other information, like award nominations. A classic style uses readable but small white text over the scene action on one side of the screen.
At the end of the showreel, you can repeat your name with white text on black and add any additional information you require.
Revisioning existing reels
If you have an existing showreel, consider whether you need to update it with new content or if a completely new one would be better for your future needs.
A new showreel might help you emphasise a different direction or stronger performance for a potential role. You can always send your existing showreel if you think that would be more relevant for other opportunities.
Consider copyright issues
If you are sending copies of your showreel directly to directors, producers, or agents and not making it publicly available online, you should not have any copyright concerns.
Suppose you want to make your showreel publicly available and upload it to YouTube, for example. In that case, you must have the proper permissions for all of your featured content, including any music, so you don’t infringe copyright laws.
I would be happy to answer any copyright questions you may have.
Questions I ask before I start editing
- Do you have high-resolution files for the content that needs editing?
- What duration would you like your new showreel?
- Are there any text details to add to the edit, such as an opening and end slate and additional text for each featured scene, film or project?
- Do you have any other specific requirements for your edit?
- Will you need any music for your showreel?
Music selection
Selecting the music is subjective, and you must consider cost and copyright issues. I recommend you find a few production music tracks you like and send me the links. I can then advise which track would work best. You can Google search for production music.
Although hundreds of production music sites exist, Pond5 is a good place to start. In my experience, the cost of licensing production music for online use usually ranges between £20 and £100 per track.
How much time does it take to edit?
The time it takes to edit a showreel depends on many factors, including how prepared you are and how many edit changes you require. It will help if you have previously decided on some of the best shots or scenes you would prefer to use.
The more organised and decided you are, the less time it will take to complete any actor showreel editing.
My background
My career in video editing started at the BBC, where I edited a wide range of programmes and short trailers for programmes. Now, I work as a freelance video editor and have over 25 years of television, film and video editing experience.
I am always happy to offer my perspective on any project or answer any questions. I charge an hourly rate for editing.
