How demo reel editing works
You send your footage and tell us what the reel is for. We choose the strongest moments, cut and clean them up, and send you a first version. You give notes, and we deliver files ready to upload. Here’s each step in detail, plus everything worth gathering before you start.
Step 1
Gather your footage
Send every scene you’d like considered. More is better than less. Choosing is part of our job, and the scene you’re least sure about is sometimes the strongest.
Footage that works well
- Scenes from film, TV, streaming or commercial work
- Student films and independent shorts
- Self-tapes, ideally with a reader rather than a solo monologue
- Your current reel, if you’re updating it
The best files to send
Send the highest-quality version you have. The original file from the production, often a .mov or .mp4, is ideal. A copy downloaded from a streaming site or recorded from a screen will usually look and sound worse.
You can share footage as Google Drive, Dropbox or WeTransfer links, or unlisted Vimeo and YouTube links. Please check that anyone with each link can view or download it.
Getting footage back from a production
Waiting for your scene from a student film or indie project is one of the most common reasons reels stall. A short, specific, friendly request usually works better than a general “can I have my footage?” You can adapt this one:
Hi [name], I really enjoyed working on [project]. When you have a moment, could you send me my scene from [shoot date or scene description]? A file of just that scene is perfect. I’ll only use it on my acting reel. If you’d rather I wait until after festival submissions, just let me know when works. Thank you!
On future projects, agree in writing before the shoot that you’ll receive your scenes, and roughly when.
Step 2
Tell us what the reel is for
The right cut depends on who will watch it. When you start a project, you’ll tell us:
- Where it’s going: casting profiles, agent or manager submissions, your website
- The roles you’re usually right for
- Any scene you definitely want in, or definitely don’t
- Your deadline, if you have one
We’ll reply within one business day with a package recommendation. We’ll also tell you honestly what your footage can support. For example, a strong 60-second reel may be a better choice right now than a padded two-minute one.
Step 3
We build the first cut
Most of the work happens here.
| What we do | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Rank scenes by performance, not credit | A strong scene from a student film can do more for you than one line in a big show |
| Open on your most specific, recognizable moment | Viewers should know whose reel it is right away |
| Group similar tones | Jumping from broad comedy to grief and back is jarring |
| Trim each scene to its turn | The viewer gets to the important moment quickly |
| Shorten scene-partner dialogue but keep reactions | The scene stays natural and the focus stays on you |
| Balance dialogue levels and correct color | Technical differences between clips stop being a distraction |
| End on a simple name and contact card | No montage opener, no music over dialogue |
With the cut, we send short notes on what we used, what we left out, and why.
Step 4
You give notes
You’ll get a private link to watch the first version. Plain-language notes are ideal: “open with the hospital scene” or “cut the second line in the café” is all we need. Your package includes two rounds of revisions.
Step 5
You receive your files
- Your demo reel as H.264 .mp4 at up to 1080p
- Each scene as its own clip, trimmed to stand alone and clearly named, for example
firstname-lastname-drama-hospital.mp4 - A private viewing link for emails
We keep your project files for 12 months so future updates are quicker. You can ask us to delete them at any time.
Uploading your reel to casting platforms
These points come directly from each platform’s own help pages, checked October 24, 2026. Platforms change their rules, so check the linked page before you upload. These are file-handling rules, not advice on reel length.
| Platform | What its help page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Actors Access | Convert to .mp4 if your file isn’t one already, and use a lowercase extension. Remove special characters and extra periods from file names. The uploader accepts video files up to 1 GB; for files over 500 MB it suggests making them smaller so they upload faster. Upload the slate and each scene as separate files unless casting says otherwise. | Actors Access: tips for uploading video |
| Actors Access | New video costs $22 per minute (or fraction of a minute), with a 4-second grace period at the top of each minute. Media on your profile can’t be replaced: you remove it and upload again, which is charged again. | Actors Access: video/audio pricing |
| Casting Networks | The maximum video file size is 300 MB. Up to 10 media clips or photos can be attached to a single request. | Casting Networks help |
| Backstage | Profiles accept direct uploads and public or unlisted (not private) YouTube and Vimeo videos. Uploaded files can be up to 2 GB, in common formats including .mp4 and .mov. | Backstage help |
Wondering whether to upload a full reel or separate scenes? See Actors Access demo reels and clips.
Timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Recommendation after you send footage | one business day |
| First cut | 5 business days after we have all footage and payment |
| Each revision round | 2 business days |
The clock starts once we have every file. Missing or broken links are the most common cause of delays, so a quick check before you send saves time.
Your footage, your permission
You need the right to use the footage you send on your reel. Most actors use excerpts of productions they appeared in, but some contracts restrict this, so check if you’re unsure. We use your footage only to edit your project, and we never show your reel publicly without separate written permission. Details are on our footage rights page.
Process questions
Do we need to meet or talk on the phone?
No. Everything works by email and private links. An optional call is available if you’d like one.
Can I send footage that’s already online?
Yes, send the link. If we can’t use it in good quality, we’ll let you know. We don’t retrieve copyrighted footage from streaming services.
What if I disagree with your recommendations?
Tell us. We’ll explain our reasoning, and the final decision is always yours.
Have your footage together?
Or check our demo reel editing prices first.