Teri Wade's Lounge Discussions

What up Thomas... Here is my two cents: Cut out the comedy bit in the beginning. I feel your books bit is the strongest so that should lead off your reel. The reason being is in that segment it starts in a C/U of you and focuses the viewer on your face and your acting. Also, considering that this is "your" acting reel I want to see footage that focuses on you and your different levels of acting... that is unless you are just concentrating on comedy. In regards to your name and email at the beginning, leave it as not everyone always has your name and email in hand, in fact I would bookend it but remove the thanks for watching tag. I would also change up the images in the latter part of the reel where the singing is taking place for if I am looking at an actors reel I want to focus on the "ACTING" ability. That is just my two cents.

Tom tried to watch your video but vimeo is joining with stage 32 to make the slowest networks ever.;-) unless it is just an impressionistic piece with a pause icon a loading bar and black screen, in which case phenomenal :-) let me know if you want to share a different link.

@David. Thanks for the notes man, I will add these to the list (sort of compiling everything everyone is saying before I head back to edit anything). I like the idea of moving the books guy before anything, he's one of my favorite pieces. I'm not sure you fall into this category about the comedy bit in the beginning but a lot of people have been telling me they think its from a comedy show (and shouldn't be in my acting reel) but that is actually a scripted scene from a short film we did... granted it's comedy like much of the other stuff in the reel I feel like it's different enough of a character to include? Maybe just in a different place? As far as the singing, you have any suggestions on what else to go there. I know it's hard being that you haven't seen a lot of my material but the problem is that the shots that lay over it are from a music video (and I don't have much footage of me showing any love / hate with real dialogue to it). @robert, Finally! Someone gets it!.. It really is just an experimental art piece. Not sure why it's doing that for you, I'll try and get it up somewhere else so you can have a look.

Most likely browser and operating system. It as more fun to blame stage 32 and vimeo tho.:-) I have an idea for you to fill some space, which may or may not work for you. Youngmannsbrewery@gmail.com if you want to discuss it.

My first hunch with the comedy piece was that it was scripted acting, not footage of a comedy act, so I wouldn't necessarily cut it. Perhaps just putting it a bit deeper in would take care of the confusion and show versatility.

John - I agree and have tried to have the lighting issues corrected as far as possible. As with any of us, I can only use the footage I'm given though! OK, after many of you have been so kind to watch this and Alle's high horse has ridden her off into the sunset... here's the next edit. Some bits and a new clip in, some chops, a re-ordering, a few seconds sliced off and more focus on me without it being a hash of everything but me cut out. Constructive criticism is absolutely welcomed and helpful. Arguments fuelled by and swathed in arrogant egotism, not so much! Thank you. :) www.vimeo.com/peterhalpin/actor

Good stuff, Peter. My notes are easy...remove the 2nd placement of your contact info before the musical medley. Some people may assume the reel is over. You list it again at the end and that's where it should be. I'd love to se how you do with comedy.

Thank you Jon. I totally see your point. I just put it in because some CDs say they don't watch montages, so it's there for them. I'm trying to please everyone, I guess! I love doing comedy and have done a lot, though largely on stage and in stand-up. The web series I'm in (3some) has a second series coming up that I'm told has some comic moments in. :)

Ok, I'd hire you!. You have strong niche. You should work alot. I would however recommend you trim both the number of clips and the length of each clip. Loved the ending. www.bryankent.com

Hi Peter! I liked very very much! Congratulations, you are a great actor.

Just start acting! Audition, classes, read scripts out loud, student films, shorts, music videos, anything you can do to learn will get you where you want to go. Then when you have some credits & some clips start looking for an agent (that's the stage I'm at right now as well).

Enroll in a class with a teacher you vibe with, get your acting resume together and start submitting (have someone read your cover letter and resume first). A lot of people get held up with thinking they have to have a million credits and a reel--but honestly, if you don't have credits for your resume you can always create them. Write an original scene, film it and use that for reel footage. I got an agent after 6 months of acting classes (in my whole life) and several of my friends have after similarly short times. One of my friends got an agent after 4 months in and booked a national commercial a month after that. The biggest obstacles are in your head :)

You've got great connections not too far away from your location. But if you're aspiring to act , you're going to need for agents to see you working. Here's a casting director who's top notch in the Va. area - http://arvoldcasting.com/