Actor Reels NYC: Shoot a Scene for Your Reel
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​
​We Help Actors Get Professional Footage
Reliably, Quickly, and Easily.



​​(affiliated with City Headshots®, Yelp & Google's #1 Rated Studio)
Serving NYC, New Jersey, and Connecticut since 2011

​Already have footage & need it edited? Visit 
Demo Reel Editing
​Need new headshots? Visit Headshots NYC
Schedule a Free Consult

Demo Scenes & Actor Reels in NYC & NJ

Demo Scenes:
​The Process


​Step 1

best demo scenes

​To start off, we'll do a free consultation with you to discuss your brand & character types, plus any scene ideas you currently have. If you're looking for an agent or manager, we'll also talk about what kind of reel footage will improve your chances of getting signed.


​Step 2

demo scene 4k

​After we’ve confirmed the package you want to move forward with and some basic scene ideas, we’ll email you a link to place the initial retainer payment so we can get the ball rolling. This retainer payment is put towards the shoot total and is not an additional fee.


​Step 3

restro demo scene

​Once payment has been placed, we'll begin the writing process (or we'll jump right into casting if you're doing the Pro Footage Shoot).

We'll
confirm shoot dates with you, find actors if necessary (you get final approval over them), secure locations, and ensure everything is in order for the big day.


Step 4

demo scene music

​The shoot day has arrived! Rehearsals will take place as camera and sound equipment is set up. ​The shoot itself takes a few hours per scene, meaning there will be plenty of time for us to help you rehearse and do a few takes.

We'll shoot from numerous angles so we have lots of footage to work with for the final edit. Once the shoot is complete, you'll place your final balance payment.


Step 5

what does demo video mean

​If you're doing the Pro Footage Shoot, you're done! You'll receive your footage same-day.

​If you're doing the Deluxe Shoot, editing typically takes 1-2 weeks. We'll highlight your best moments, apply color grading, sound design, and/or music. We always aim to shoot more so we can edit your scenes down to the absolute best moments (kind of like a headshot session – you shoot 300 pictures to find your best 2-3 shots).

Once it's edited, we'll send you the demo scenes for review and notes (we're happy to re-edit a few times to make sure we get you what you need). Once you're happy with the final cut, we'll convert your demo reel into whatever specific file formats you need for easy upload to Actor's Access, Backstage, and other online submission sites.


Want FREE Footage?
Join the Actor Screener Shoot Roster. 
​

  • Free professional footage that casting directors, agents, and managers take seriously
  • Get reimbursed up to $40 per shoot and have the opportunity to perform on a professional set
  • Fast & reliable turnaround – you'll be emailed frequent opportunities and can expect to receive your final edited clips within 3-4 weeks of each shoot
Actor reel
Join the Roster for Free!

​“They contacted me to perform in a demo scene for another actor and it was such a great experience. Professional, excellent direction, the footage and edit was top notch, they finished quickly, and my reps were super impressed. Highly recommend!” 

- Kimberly G.

Kind Words

Acting reel


​David Pegram
Professional Actor - Broadway's Warhorse

Actor demo reels
demo reel
"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 demo 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 actor demo reels and I will be coming back to Actor Screener Shoot in the future."
Acting reel services

Larry O'Connell
Professional 
Actor - A Crime to Remember

acting reel services


​"Starting out in this business, it is very unlikely you'll perform in a scene that hits your strong points. That's where Actor Screener Shoot boosts your reel and improves your chances of getting an agent  They give you a demo scene that is customized for you and 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."
Video reels for actors nyc

Joseph Conlin
Professional 
Actor

"My experience with y'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 3-Scene 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."
Demo reels for actors new jersey
Video reels for actors nj
"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

Demo reels for actors New York

"When 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." 
Reel for acting nj
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About

The industry hasn't been completely honest with you.
They say the process of finding great agents or managers can take years... Years of showcases, pay to play auditions, workshops & seminars, one on ones, and more. Years of building a resume, following up, and hoping to be in the right place at the right time.

Many actors wind up spending a ton of their most precious resource - their time - hoping an agent or manager will eventually find and sign with them.


But is it really just about being in the right place at the right time? Or knowing the right people?
​

The answer is a resounding "NO!"

​When you get clear on your brand and combine it with a fantastic set of marketing materials, agents and managers WILL take notice (especially if you submit to them the right way).

We pride ourselves on shooting "indie film" style (either indoors or outdoors), where scenes NEVER appear "cookie-cutter" or recognizably shot by a reel production company.

You'll not only capture the attention of agents and managers with your new high-end footage, but we'll also help you strategize on how to find and sign with a hardworking talent rep.

And it all starts with believing in yourself and saying, "Yes, I'm good enough for an amazing agent or manager to WANT to represent me."


Martin Bentsen (founder)
​Acting Coach (NJ shoots)

Reel for acting
Hey I'm Martin, and I appreciate that you've taken some time to check out Actor Screener Shoot!

I've helped actors land on Broadway & get recurring television roles through my actor consulting work, I'm a regular contributing writer to Casting Networks News, I've interviewed well-known broadway actors, agents, and casting directors, and my headshot work has been featured on billboards in Times Square, in The New York Times, and in The Wall Street Journal.


I graduated from NYU in 2011 with an honors degree in film production, and am currently in post-production on my second feature-length film called Dakota: Dedicated to My Best Friend. In 2009 I founded City Headshots, which, according to Yelp and Google, is ranked the #1 headshot studio in New York.
 
​At least a few times a month an actor we've worked with tells us their new reel for acting helped them land a dream role or secured them an agent or manager. It's amazing to hear about everyone's success, and I hope it continues for each of our clients.


Manu Pasqualini
Acting Coach (NYC shoots)

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Manu Pasqualini is an NYC-trained actor who enjoys coming of age movies, dramedies and PTSD-based stories. He is also drawn to VO work which helps transcend type-cast.

Manu speaks French, English, Spanish, Italian and conversational Arabic. 

He admires actors who make him care about a villain and feel the pain hiding in their motives. It makes them human. His ideal role is a man from the people who goes rogue after a personal tragedy and starts a rebellion against the establishment.
​
Manu trained at the TSchreiber studio in Shakespeare, and with Allen Savage in NYC.
He is now at the Anthony Abeson studio.


​J Warner

Shooter & Editor

how to make a demo reel
J Warner specializes in shooting and directing. He also takes screener shoots through to completion in the post-production/editing process.

J Warner is a filmmaker and 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 worked on 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.


Janelle Gonzales
Client Relations & Makeup Artist

Reel for acting

​Hey there! My name is Janelle and I've been interested in the art of make-up since I was 13 years old, practicing my technique on all the women in my family. I was always fascinated with not only the transformative nature of makeup but the confidence it brought to my family members. Later I learned how to accentuate beauty in a way that brings out the essence in my clients. I always aim to leave people feeling great about their appearance and ready to tackle whatever’s ahead of them. 

I moved to New York to work in this field and I'm elated to have the opportunity to work with all different types of people with Actor Screener Shoot and City Headshots. No matter your background, ethnicity, or job description, rest assured that our team will work our hardest to make sure you’re picture perfect! 


Gerald McClanahan
Writer

How to make a demo reel

​As one of the founding members of the renowned LA-based theatre company Sacred Fools (now in its 25th year), I began my career writing for the stage.

Since then, my work has spanned the gamut from theatre to short films to television series to full-length screenplays. As well, I have worked in publishing as an editor. I currently live and work in Portland, Oregon.


Paul Plunkett
Writer

How to make a demo reel

​I’m Paul and I write actor scenes for reels, but I’ve also been an actor since I was a kid growing up in New Mexico and appearing in a few westerns (including Butch and Sundance: The Early Days’ as Butch Cassidy’s son).

I’m also a playwright and screenwriter and I find that my acting experience feeds my writing and vice-versa. I understand that this work is about creating a tool for the client, so that whoever watching thinks about who they’re seeing onscreen, and not the writer.

After college, I moved to New York for a few years, then Seattle, and I’ve lived in California for over 25 years, the last dozen with my lovely and talented wife Tifanie and our two wonderful cats. I may be in Los Angeles, but thanks to the wonders of Zoom and email I can work anywhere you are!

Get in Touch

Let's see if we're a right fit to work together!

​We'd love to chat with you via Zoom to see what your goals are and how we can help. We'll build out a custom package for you and even help you find a preliminary brand if you're not sure of yours yet.

​Click the button below to submit a short form and we'll schedule you in for a free Zoom consultation:
Get in Touch
Midtown Manhattan Location:
2 West 46 St., Suite 1500
​New York, NY 10036
Northern NJ Location:
1.5 Acre Private Residence

​Ho Ho Kus, NJ 07423








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Related Links & Partner Sites:

  • Martin Bentsen: Actor Consultant
  • City Headshots
  • Demo Reels for Actors
  • Photographer in Barcelona

Contact Info

(212) 706-1902 ​
[email protected]
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Location

2 West 46 St., Suite 1500
​New York, NY 10036


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