How to choose scenes for your acting showreel

A showreel is a short film of you doing what you do best. The scenes you choose matter more than almost anything else about it, so here is how to pick them well.

Last updated 15 November 2026

1. Know what your showreel is for

Before you pick anything, decide who will watch it and what you want them to think. A showreel is usually watched by casting directors, agents and directors who are short on time and looking for one thing: can this person act, and are they right for what I am casting?

That means a showreel is not a record of everything you have done. It is a carefully chosen selection that shows your range and your type clearly. Think about the roles you are most likely to be cast in, and choose scenes that show you doing them well.

2. What makes a good showreel scene

• It shows you clearly. The camera should spend most of the time on your face. If you are small in the frame or sharing the scene with a far bigger part, it will not do its job.
• It starts fast. Open with something that grabs attention. Do not make anyone sit through slow set-up.
• It has a clear shape. Even a short scene should have a start, a turn and an end, so the viewer feels something has happened.
• It lets you do something. Look for a character who wants something, hides something, changes their mind or is under pressure. Emotion that develops is more interesting than a single note held for two minutes.
• It works without explanation. A casting director should understand who you are playing and what is at stake without a long introduction.
• It is well written. Strong dialogue gives you something real to play, and weak dialogue is very hard to hide.

3. Scene or monologue?

Both can work, and they do different jobs.

Monologues

A monologue puts you at the centre with no one to share the frame. It is the easiest to shoot, needs no scene partner and gives you full control. It works well for showing emotional range, but it is harder to look natural when you are speaking to nobody, so choose one with a clear person you are talking to, even if they are unseen.

Two-hander scenes

A scene with another actor shows you listening and reacting, which is a big part of screen acting. It is more work to organise, as you need a scene partner, but it often feels more natural on camera. Make sure the scene is balanced so you are not just feeding lines to the other actor.

A good reel often includes a mixture. For example, For the Record is a one-actor monologue of around two minutes, and The Assembly is a two-actor scene of around three minutes.

4. How long should it be?

Shorter is almost always better. A showreel is commonly one to two minutes long, and many professionals suggest putting your strongest material first. If you have one outstanding scene, lead with it. A short, excellent reel beats a long, uneven one.

It is also fine to have separate pieces: a full short film of a single scene that you can share as a standalone film, plus a shorter edit of the best moments for your reel.

5. What to avoid

• Overused speeches. If a monologue is famous, the person watching has seen it many times, and you will be compared with the best version they remember.
• Scenes you are the wrong age for. Play something within your playing age and type.
• Weak sound or picture. Poor quality can sink great acting. Sound is especially important.
• Scenes where the other actor dominates. If you are not the focus, it is not your showreel.
• Long intros, titles and effects. Let the acting speak for itself.
• Material you cannot legally publish. See below.

6. Film it so it looks good

You do not need expensive equipment, but you do need to take the production seriously. Good light, clear sound and steady framing make performances look much more professional. Our guide to filming a short scene on your phone covers the basics step by step, and if you are filming a monologue on your own, see how to self-tape a monologue.

If you are filming with others, treat it as a proper shoot: rehearse beforehand, agree the plan, and film each setup more than once so you have choices in the edit.

7. Check you have the rights

Many scenes from published films, television and plays are protected by copyright, and some are not licensed for you to film and publish. Before you invest time in making a scene, check that you have permission to film it and to use it in your showreel.

All our scripts are original and come with filming and performance rights, so you can use them in your showreel and publish your production online or enter it into festivals. The details are in our licence summary.