How to Pick a Demo Reel Editor

"Hi my name is Craig Scime from Clearstarmedia.com and we're talking today demo reels on Expert Village. In our last segment, we were talking about how to find a demo reel editor. And that's still what I would like to talk about. I know this is all very boring and dry but if you're looking to put together a demo reel that's going to make it difference in your career, then some of these steps you might find very useful. So when you're searching and finding a demo reel editor, you want to know what kind of work have they edited, how long have they been doing it and certainly get references. If you get somebody from word of mouth, that is one of the best ways you know that you're getting a good demo reel editor. Why? Because you can see their reel and say "wow, they did a great job". And of course, the person who refers them will tell you what it was like dealing with that person. The other thing you want to do when you're trying to find a demo reel editor is you want to find out exactly how long will it take to get your demo reel from start to completion and will you be in the process of editing. And these are things you can certainly talk about with somebody over the phone. I really feel, and what we offer here at Clearstarmedia.com, is that it's very important for the person to come here, sit with us right at this table here. We have another chair for them to sit down and really look at all the footage. Once we look at all your footage, we decide together as a team what is the best clip that I feel is the best clip to showcase, but more importantly, what the actor feels is their best clip and showcases their ability. Then what we'll do is we'll put it out together on a time line, edit it and make it look really good. And the reason that I want you here is because I want you to look at the way we're putting this stuff together. I want you to feel comfortable. More than anything, when you're sitting here with the editor, you can really decide if that clip is working, if it's cutting together, if it's feeling right, if it is you're personality. Because again, this demo reel is showcasing you. You want to make sure that it's a reflection of you. So if the editor is doing all this fancy crazy stuff and you're like, "that's really not me. That's not my personality", you need to say it. I tell everybody who edits with us don't leave until you're exactly happy or we hit exactly what you're looking for. Reason being is that it's very easy for me to put something together and they can say I kind of like it and then they go home and they cry because they spent this money and have a demo reel that they're really not proud of. You have to be excited and proud of it. My feelings won't be hurt. I do this every day. I cut demo reels and I make lots of people happy. So if you tell me "you know what, it's not working. I really don't like what you're doing", I don't care because, I mean I care, but I mean it that my feelings won't be hurt. Tell me that. I want to know so that I can better your demo reel. I can cut it any way you want to make sure you're happy so you as the demo reel purchaser, need to make sure you talk to your demo reel editor and tell them exactly what you're looking for. In the next segment, we're going to talk a little bit about how to get your demo reel. Do you want it on DVD? Do you want it to be on the web? What is it that you want to do with your demo reel. So stick around and click on the next link and we'll show you how to decide."