I just edited a new acting reel. The last few years, there’s been a trend towards 30 second clips and 1 minute “speedreels.” The common refrains have been shorter is better, industry doesn’t have time, and casting decides in the first five seconds. That may be true to a certain extent, but I thought it could be nice to edit something a little longer (only 3 minutes but still) that showcases some of the breadth of my work and that has a little breathing room.
It’s funny (not really funny though) how easy it can be to follow the crowd – do the supposedly popular thing.
But it can hurt after a while too. Especially when you realize that you’re somewhat blindly doing what X says is *right* and then you realize that they don’t have “the answer” anymore than Y or Z does. And that perhaps that no answer at all.
Making our own marks can feel clumsy and painful at times. But at at least then we can learn from actual experience – instead of being disappointed in others (or ourselves) that we are buying into or someone else’s version of the truth.
So make some marks. You don’t have to share them if you don’t want to or you’re not ready yet, but make them. No one can make your marks but you.
XD
