I’ve found that many actors seem to be playing against their type when it comes to how their reels are put together. It’s a bit of a touch subject with several components at play.

Many people are firm believers that an acting reel should be as eclectic as possible and it makes sense. What actor wants to portrayed as a one-dimensional, one-trick pony that can only play one type of character. Earlier in the year for example, I cut a reel for an actor who was a bit frustrated by the roles that were being thrown his way. A full-time member of the NYPD, he was also pursuing a career as an actor. Producers looking to cast police officers in their films were lured to his natural, authentic portrayal and cast him as such in their projects. I believe he only had one clip in which he was not playing a cop.

The logical solution for the aforementioned is for the actor to expand the type of projects he pursues and slowly shed his reputation as someone who can only do one thing. But is it possible to have a reel that is too diverse?

… Sometimes it is very possible. For any actor, the question of whether or not to really diversify their reel ultimately boils down to one very simple thing and that is just being honest with yourself. If you’re a primarily dramatic actor with 7 quality clips, are the 2 comedic pieces you have as good as the dramatic ones? No… are they really as good? Chances are that the answer is no. Too many actors diversify their reels just for the sake of diversity, just so show casting directors that they “do everything”. This is a mistake. Chances are that you can’t do everything. Now, I don’t mean for that to sound harsh and you really shouldn’t feel bad because I don’t think anyone can do everything.

Denzel Washington is my favorite actor working in Hollywood today but if you really think about it, he has just as many limits as the rest of us. Has he ever been in a film in which he wasn’t the coolest, most confident mofo on the screen? He’s been a corrupt cop. A homophobic lawyer. A drug dealer. A basketball-obsessed felon. Malcolm himself. Indeed, he’s had a diverse array of roles and has portrayed many, many different characters but he’s really only played one type of role.

And he’s one of the most successful and accomplished actors in the history of cinema. Maybe one day, you’ll be right there with him but until that day comes, one of the purposes of your acting reel is to lessen fear and reassure producers and casting directors that you are right for the role they are acting.

I say yes to diversity only if the material does not vary in quality as you progress thru your reel. The one thing I will almost always advise against is when an actor has a multitude of similar clips and ONE clip that’s just out of left field.

This too, is far from a “rule” but something that I will adhere to most of the time with the people I work with.

Thoughts?

Dead Echo blog
www.deadechocreations.com

I had a teacher that said you should worry about getting cast before you worry about getting typecast.

In reguards to Denzel Washington, I agree that abofut 90% of what he does is the same type of role, but a few of them, like Training Day, are quite different. And he was awarded for that one by the way.

You must be typecast, or else you're not working.