What Is A Skill Reel?
As a stunt performer, your skills and experience are your most valuable assets. One way to showcase these skills to potential hiring coordinators is through a skill reel.
What is a skill reel?
A skill reel is like a stunt reel except it only highlights one particular skill - like only stunt driving, or only parkour. They live on your profile next to each individual skill that's listed. Skill reels and descriptions are like a question and answer with a coordinator. They're asking, "Can you ride a horse?" Your description and skill reel should directly answer that. Skill reels aren't visible on free profiles, so even if the link is there, coordinators won't see it.
Why is a skill reel important?
If a coordinator doesn't know you, seeing your skill reel could give them enough information and confidence to know that you can handle the job. They want to know for certain that you can safely accomplish the gag and watching a skill reel is usually enough to decide if you’re the right fit or not.
A skill reel can help you:
• Land more work
• Demonstrate your abilities in a concise and visually compelling way
• Set yourself apart from other stunt performers who may not have a skill reel, or may have a less effective one
Can I just use my stunt reel?
That might be a big mistake. Picture this:
Production changed the shooting schedule without notice so Stunt Coordinator Sam is now in a rush to find someone to do a simple fight scene. Sam logs onto www.StuntListing.com and searches your location for every performer with the "Fighting for Film" skill on their profile. Your picture catches her eye and she sees you have a skill reel uploaded so she clicks on it. Problem is, your skill reel is actually your stunt reel. The coordinator sees some driving, a fire burn and a stair fall - no fight sequence at all. At this point you look like a fool because it seems like you don’t understand what fighting is, and the coordinator is annoyed because she wasted her time.
Not the look you want.
Tips for creating a perfect skill reel
Follow these guidelines to set yourself up for success:
• Keep it short and sweet
-1 minute is more than enough time to showcase one skill.
• Highlight only your best work
- Only include your highest level of skill, not everything you've ever done.
• Show your range
- By demonstrating your range of ability for the given skill, it also shows your versatility as a performer.
• Keep it professional
- Your skill reel should be well-shot and edited. If you don't have the skills to create a professional-looking reel, consider hiring a professional editor to help you.
Don't let your profile hold you back from booking jobs. Set yourself apart from other performers by going to www.StuntListing.com to upgrade your profile and add skill reels. Help yourself by helping coordinators and upload your skill reels today!
Check out the StuntListing Podcast to learn more!
https://youtu.be/0qJJMuunzzI?si=MroNF-kWKaL3PnfO
