(affiliated with City Headshots®, Yelp & Google's #1 Rated Studio)

Shoot a Scene for Your Demo Reel

Serving NYC and the Surrounding Area
139 Fulton St. Suite 715 (right next to Fulton Center)

​212 706 1902
screeners@cityheadshots.com

Over 200 Google Reviews for City Headshots, Actor Screener Shoot, and Demo Reels NYC

Putting a Reel Together is HARD.

Most actors HATE the process of having to create their reel.

Why? First off, you pour your soul into working (often for free) on unprofessional sets with crew members who are late and inexperienced actors who make your job way more difficult than it should be.

Second, after you're told you'll have the footage within a few weeks, you realize it's going to take YEARS for the director to get it back to you! Or if you're in a professional project, the footage is almost IMPOSSIBLE to find or access anywhere because of copyright protections, etc.

Finally, once you do get to see your clips, you realize the quality either looks like something out of a low-budget student film or they shot you on your worst angles, the sound isn't clear, or the footage looks way too dark.

Isn't it frustrating that 90% of the process of creating a demo reel is completely out of your hands?

Well, I'm Martin Bentsen and that's where Actor Screener Shoot comes in. We want to make the reel creation process as easy as possible for you. Our goal? Shoot professional scenes for your reel that look straight out of a high-budget film, with a quick turnaround and minimal effort on your part.
(Note: Already have footage? Click here)

Martin Bentsen (founder)

"We shoot scenes in a way that feels like you're watching something out of a real film or TV show."

I don't believe your reel footage should look SO stylized that casting directors wonder whether it was done by a reel-production company. Most medium and large budget films use natural lighting setups and cut between numerous angles, not simply going back and forth between two actors. If your footage clearly looks like it was done by a reel production company, casting directors'  focus will shift away from you and onto the company that shot it.

We take you to real locations and/or build custom sets. We shoot from multiple angles for every scene. We apply unique color-grading and editing techniques to each scene we do. And we aim to create a scene that's completely YOU. We want to get casting directors thinking, "Wow, this actor is pretty good. I think I might just call them in."

Our ultimate goal is that you have an enjoyable time working with us and walk away with unique and memorable footage you're proud of. We'll guide you through every step of the process from idea generation, writing, and casting, to shooting, editing, and even helping you actually promote your new scene(s) to the right people in the industry.

Scroll down to see some of our work and determine whether we're a right fit for you. We'd love the opportunity to chat!

Have a Question?

​Related Article:

4 Things to Know Before Hiring a Reel Production Company

Gallery

Have a Question?

Our Process

Step 1. 
When you reach out to us, we’ll respond to set up an initial consultation call where we'll discuss your needs and clarify what makes the most sense for where you're at in your career. In this phone call, we’ll find out your brand/type and how to best present it through the scene we shoot. We'll then discuss what types of characters you most enjoy playing and hash out some ideas for scenes.

Step 2. 
After our consultation call is finished and we’ve confirmed what package you’ll be moving forward with, we’ll email you with a link to place your deposit so we can get started.

Step 3. 
Once payment has been placed, we'll begin the writing process and start organizing everything for the shoot. We'll find and audition actors, secure locations, confirm shoot dates, and ensure everything is in order for the big day. We'll also put you in touch with the other actors if you'd like to do any rehearsals ahead of time.

Step 4. 
The shoot day has arrived! Everyone will meet on site to begin production. As the makeup artist prepares you (if you've opted for makeup), the director will discuss specifics and help flesh out your characters in more detail. Rehearsals will take place as the camera and sound crew set up all the equipment.

​Scenes generally take about two hours each to shoot, and at the end of the day you'll place the final balance payment (with card or cash).

Step 5. 
We will take your footage and edit it in a natural way. We want to ensure a good balance between being focused on you and the other actor. If everything is on you, it will be a dead giveaway that your scene was shot by a reel production company.

We'll highlight your best moments and apple color grading, sound design, and in some cases, add music to the scene. We'll then send you the final reel for review. If you’re happy, you’re done! If you have any further adjustments you want, you can easily email us back and we’ll take care of them within a few business days.

Have a Question?

Packages

Professional Scene

From $599

Want a high definition scene written for and focused on you? Ready for character depth?  Excited for more time on screen?  

"The Professional Scene" is our standard package that gives you brand new reel footage that looks straight out of a feature film so you get the auditions you really want. 

Plan on spending about 2 hours on set.

Action Scene

From $749

Ready for action roles in movies and TV shows? Looking to film an exciting chase scene? Got fighting or martial arts skills? Want your reel to show them off?

"The Action Scene" is an advanced package that brings the epic factor that you've always wanted in your reel.

Plan on spending about 4 hours on set.

Sizzle Reel

From $1,499

Ready to seriously beef up your reel? Looking to play three different characters to show off your full acting range? Want a full day of on-set acting experience?

"The Sizzle Reel" is our ultimate screener package, bringing you the most footage for the lowest price per scene!

Plan on spending about 8 hours on set.

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Our Promise:
"​You'll Love Your Reel"

"Our number one goal is that you have a fantastic experience working with Actor Screener Shoot. We want to create a reel that you're proud of, and if for any reason you're unhappy with the final product and there's nothing we can do to fix it, we promise to offer a reshoot or fully refund you everything you paid."

- Martin Bentsen
​   (founder)

Get in Touch

Kind Words

Over 200 Google Reviews

​David Pegram
Broadway Actor and 2016 Leonore Annenberg Fellow

"Thank you to everyone at Actor Screener Shoot ​for truly looking out for actors!"

"I recently came to Actor Screener Shoot after an extensive search for a production company that would produce high quality scenes for my reel.

"Immediately upon meeting I knew I had made the right choice. Not only was the team incredibly warm and professional during our meeting, but they listened carefully to what I was aiming for in my scenes and when the scripts came I was delighted to see just how much they were in tune with my particular ideas.

"The shoots were very fun, comfortable and efficient and when I saw the footage I was honestly blown away by the quality and attention to detail they provided. I have already recommended them to all of my colleagues looking for high quality scenes to add to their demo reel and I will be coming back to Actor Screener Shoot in the future."

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Larry O'Connell
Professional Actor

​"Starting out in this business, it is very unlikely you'll get the scene that hits your strong points. That's where Actor Screener Shoot boosts any reel. They give you a scene that looks like it is part of a larger production."

"Actor Screener Shoot is like finding actor gold.  I wrote to them and told them what I was looking for to add to my reel. They returned with a script that was exactly what I needed.  We worked on making some adjustments and it turned out great.  They gave us a script that my scene partner and I could really dig into and work on...

"They suggested a great location for the shoot.  I was impressed how they shot many different angles and how attentive they were to getting the sound clean.  In post-production, they were very receptive to making changes. The picture looks great and the sound is clear. I felt the team was very committed to giving me what I needed for my reel."

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Joseph Conlin
Professional Actor

"My experience with you all was fantastic and I'm more than happy with the quality of footage and the professionalism of the entire process, from beginning to end, I couldn't have asked for a smoother production. The entire crew delighted me and my co-stars beyond expectations and made us very much at home so we could get down to performing our work.

"Doing the Sizzle Reel package has most definitely been helpful for my career and I'm proud to have more content for my online presence as I seek work as well."

"And for all actors seeking fresh material and eager to present more screen time, whether they are working or not, services such as this should be applauded as it is so important to keep relevant with the type of brand you wish to project. New material is a must as often as possible. And that is exactly why I decided to work with you all!"

---

Casey Sullivan
Professional Actor

"While dealing with Actor Screener Shoot,
​it becomes quite clear that you are dealing with professionals that care about the content they are creating, just as you do."

"The whole City Headshots® and Actor Screener Shoot teams have been a tremendous help in my pursuit of a career in acting.  They allowed me to have movie-quality scenes to show to agents and casting directors, resulting in auditions and jobs.  

​Throughout the entire process they were incredibly helpful and clear, guiding me through each step from our initial emails, through filming, to receiving my final, edited screener." 

---

Get in Touch

Your Crew

Martin Bentsen
Branding Consultant & Director of Photography

Martin Bentsen, founder of Actor Screener Shoot, specializes in helping actors find their brand and determine what scenes will work best for their reel, and will be present on site to shoot your scene(s). Learn more about his actor coaching work here.

He's spoken numerous times at New York University, has run educational seminars at Actor's Connection on branding and marketing strategies for performers, and has written and published an informational book called Get Cast, which focuses on marketing tactics actors can use to find more consistent work. He is a member of both the National Association of Sales Professionals and Sales & Marketing Executives International, two highly acclaimed marketing organizations in the United States.

Martin graduated in 2011 with honors from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts with a focus on directing. In 2010, he founded City Headshots®, which, according to Yelp, is ranked the top headshot studio in all of New York City and has worked with well known companies such as LinkedIn Corp and American Express, and some of its photos have been featured in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

As a filmmaker and entrepreneur who has written four features, produced and cast two of them, and grown a company from zero to working with 150 clients per month, Martin not only understands the intricacies of marketing and finding an audience, but also what it takes for actors to successfully navigate the casting world while making themselves memorable. He coaches actors one-on-one in their branding, marketing, and business strategies, and in how they conduct themselves during the actual audition.

Martin’s long term goal is to connect business coaches with actors across the country and help permanently end the cliche of The Starving Artist.

Tyrone L. Robinson
Writer, Director, & Producer

Tyrone L. Robinson specializes in writing, producing, and directing scenes at Actor Screener Shoot.

​Tyrone was awarded the ASCAP Frederick Loewe Award for his work as a writer. He holds a MFA degree in Writing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and studied directing in New York City. His short comedy screenplay Overrated won First Place at the 2018 Action On Film Megafest/Script Summit Screenplay Contest for Best Short/Web-Series and his short dramatic film Un{H}armed is an Official Selection of the 2018 Georgia Shorts Film Festival and Official Selection of the 2018 New York Short Film Festival.

Tyrone was selected from a nationwide search to be part of Chris Rock's television writing program for comedy writers at Comedy Central Network where he worked with Emmy Award winning writing teams at The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. While there, Tyrone was mentored by comic greats Larry Wilmore, Tracy Grandstaff, Rory Albanese, and Barry Julien - Head Writer of Colbert's show. Tyrone writes for stage, film, and television.

​

J. Warner
Editor & Post-Production Manager

J Warner specializes in taking screener shoots through to completion in the post-production/editing process.

​J Warner is a film and video editor, originally from Los Angeles. He began his career in 2001 as an Apprentice Film Editor at Paramount Pictures, and as such was the last person trained on film in the studio system before digital took hold.

Since then, he has edited a wide array of digital shorts, concert films, music videos, trailers and promotional spots. He also worked as assistant editor on the 2013 indie feature Deadly Revisions​, as well as serving as production coordinator on The Simpsons: The Longest Daycare​, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short. After that, J shot and edited many projects for Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer), including a feature-length training DVD, "Essentials of Dog Behavior: Socialization." 

Most recently, J spent three years doing digital restoration and as Assistant Editor for a soon-to-be-released documentary about Frank Zappa, as well as editing video montage pieces for the "Bizarre World of Frank Zappa" hologram show. He's currently editing a narrative feature called Dakota, directed by Martin Bentsen.

Get in Touch

Let's see if we're a right fit to work together! Feel free to reach out with any questions you have, and we'll get back to you within 24 hours.

(212) 706-1902
screeners@cityheadshots.com

​Website Copyright 2019 Martin Bentsen
screeners@martinbentsen.com
(646) 504-6521

139 Fulton Street, Suite 715
New York, NY 10038
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