Module 15 - Casting Showreels

Question 1

With clip-based casting, what’s the main reason actors are not shortlisted?

Answer 1

1. Because their showreel isn’t good enough, or isn’t appropriate.

Yes. Getting your showreel, or demo reel right, is of the utmost importance. It is your one point-of-sale and the only thing that can make you stand out above the other 200 clips the voice director has for that role.

Question 2

What types of showreel (or demo reel) do you need as a voice artist in general? (6 answers)

Answer 2

1. Narrative Reel
2. Characters Reel
3. Caricatures & Animation Reel
4. Dramatic Reel
5. Commercial Reel

Question 3

What types of showreel, or demo reel, do you need for gaming? (2 answers)

Answer 3

1. A specific gaming reel.
2. Any of the reels in the previous question.

Yes! That’s right. Now we’re getting somewhere. Sending in a specific gaming reel and also a targeted reel from the previous question will improve your chances dramatically. See the Resources section for more info on showreels, or take the GravyForTheBrain.com Showreel course!

Question 4

Should you ‘Slate’ your reels? (‘Slating’ means saying your name and the type of reel as an introduction to the reel).

Answer 4

1. True

Yes, you should, and anyone who tells you differently isn’t a casting director. Slating your reels tells the Casting Director instantly what your natural voice sounds like, and what kind of reel you are intending him to listen to. When a casting director is listening to 500+ reels a game, this is very useful.

Question 5

It’s ok to have a different person slate your reels for you.

Answer 5

2. False

Absolutely, 100% and categorically not. NEVER allow your reel to be slated by another person. Your showreel, or demo reel is your only chance when clip-based casting to tell the casting director what you sound like, withing a very short period of time. Only fools would allow this, and if your agent makes this mandatory, get a new agent because they don’t understand how casting directors operate.

Question 6

Should I cast for free and record bespoke characterisations for game that is being cast?

Answer 6

Yes you do need all those reels for your job, but why not send in a bespoke clip, recorded on your phone or home studio as well? It can only increase your chances, and you will go to the top of the pile in the Casting Director’s eyes.

Question 7

Which of these are good examples of file-labelling your voice reels? (2 answers)

Answer 7

1. Hugh Edwards – Gaming Reel – Hugh’s Agent Name.mp3
2. Agent Name – Gaming Reel – Hugh Edwards.mp3

Yes that’s right. Make the file-labeling clear and easily sorted and searched in a pc/mac file manager window. By the way, well done for spotting that the *.tgw file was in there as a red herring because it was an un-commonly used file type – use MP3’s, much simpler for all involved.