If you don't have a posse of peers to help you produce your own material, and you want it done right, you can hire small LA production companies that specialize in Actor Reels.
I was contacted by Joe and Matias at IndieSo.com, and they told me, hey, we like what you're doing for actors with your blog, and we'd like to pay it forward - can we shoot some actor demo reel scenes for you?
Um, YES. YES, YOU CAN.
I was given the option of finding my own scenes, or working with them to create something specifically for me. I had a few scenes I really loved from an acting class years ago, and wanted to use those. They gave me the option to use my own actors, or if I needed help, using a few of their actors they love working with.
I have to say, I probably was not the easiest client to work with. I had very specific ideas about what I wanted, how I wanted it done, and who I wanted with me, but Joe and Matias were absolutely wonderful - they kept reminding me, "This is your reel, and we want to give you exactly what you want." Bless them. They allowed me to feel like a collaborator as opposed to someone with a high list of demands. True professionals!
I sent them the scenes I wanted and we discussed a few ideas how to shoot it. I got my actors in place, we settled on a date, and bing bam boom, we finished 6 pages in 5 hours, with a break for lunch!
They're a production company, so they have all their own equipment and a few locations, and unlike a lot of other reel companies, Matias, who directed, used his experience and creativity to make the scenes look like we ripped them from a bigger production. These scenes don't look like they were shot specifically for demo use.
And the quality!! YAY!
Do I recommend them? YES. YES I DO.
But of course, Joe and Matias also want to do me a huge solid by offering my readers a special!
You get, just by saying you were referred by me from the Struggling Actress Blog:
2 scenes (you can have more, just let them know and they'll discuss rates)
AND
1 FREE edit, included before the final cut (if you're like, hey, instead of the two shot on this line, can we use my close-up?)
All for only $500, which is a full $100 off their normal price!
You can find more info here, and check out my final product here.
Again, great guys, great product! Love them!
