If there’s one thing I would do differently if I had to start all over again, it would be creating a good showreel much sooner.

When I returned to acting after more than thirty years away, I already had professional headshots and plenty of enthusiasm, but I quickly realised that wasn’t enough anymore. Almost every casting director wanted to see me perform before even considering inviting me to audition. That’s when I understood that a strong showreel had become one of the most important tools an actor can have.

Over the past few years, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. I’ve made mistakes too. There were scenes I thought were perfect until I realised they didn’t really show who I was as an actor. Little by little, I’ve replaced older material with stronger performances until I finally had a showreel that truly represents me.

If you’re just starting your acting journey, I hope my experience helps you save some time—and avoid a few of the mistakes I made.

1. A showreel isn’t a short film

This was probably one of the first things I had to change in my own mindset.

At first, I thought a showreel had to impress people with beautiful editing, dramatic music or cinematic effects. Today I think exactly the opposite. The only thing that should stand out is your acting.

Casting directors aren’t looking for a film editor or a cinematographer. They’re looking for an actor.

Whenever I’m deciding whether to include a scene in my showreel, I ask myself one very simple question:

If I removed the music and all the editing, would this scene still work?

If the answer is yes, then it probably deserves a place in my reel.

2. Show who you really are as an actor

For a while, I was tempted to include every scene I had ever filmed. Eventually I realised that more doesn’t always mean better.

I’d much rather have a short showreel with three powerful scenes than ten minutes of footage that doesn’t really say anything.

When I choose material, I look for scenes where my performance carries the story, where there’s emotion, conflict or a real character journey.

Personally, I try to include:

• The characters that suit me best.
• Scenes where I actually have dialogue.
• Moments where my performance is the focus.
• Roles that represent the kind of actor I am today.

Don’t be afraid to remove older scenes if they no longer reflect your current level.

3. Quality matters… but not as much as you think

Of course we’d all love a showreel made from big productions with beautiful cinematography. The reality is that most actors start with whatever material they have.

My first goal was never to create the perfect showreel. My goal was simply to have one.

Every new project allowed me to replace older scenes and improve it little by little. In fact, I still update it whenever I finish a project I’m especially proud of.

It’s much better to have a showreel that grows with your career than to spend years waiting for the perfect footage.

4. Keep it updated

This is something I always try to do.

Every time I finish filming a new project, I watch my showreel again with fresh eyes. Quite often I realise that a new scene represents me much better than one I’ve been using for years.

You don’t need to rebuild it every few months, but it’s worth reviewing it regularly.

I usually ask myself:

• Does this showreel still represent the actor I am today?
• Is there a stronger scene that could replace an older one?
• Am I showing the kind of roles I want to be cast for?

Sometimes one small change can make a big difference.

5. Less really is more

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was to keep my showreel short.

Casting directors watch hundreds of showreels every week. They don’t need to see your entire career. They simply want to know, within the first couple of minutes, whether they can picture you in the role they’re casting.

That’s why I’d rather leave them wanting to see more than lose their attention with a reel that’s too long.

If a scene doesn’t add value, I simply remove it.

6. Think about the roles you actually want to book

This is another lesson I learned over time.

Not every scene is right for every actor. Your showreel should help casting directors imagine you in the types of characters you genuinely want to play.

In my case, I try to include roles that feel authentic to me—mothers, professional women, elegant characters, emotionally complex roles or women with quiet authority. Those are the characters I’m most often called to play, and they’re also the ones I enjoy the most.

That doesn’t mean limiting yourself.

It simply makes it easier for casting directors to see where you fit.

7. Never stop improving it

To me, a showreel is never really finished.

Every new project gives me the chance to replace a scene, strengthen my material or discover something new about myself as an actor.

When I compare the showreel I had when I first returned to acting with the one I have today, the difference is enormous. It’s not just because the footage looks better. It’s because I’ve grown as an actor, and that growth shows on screen.

So don’t become obsessed with creating the perfect showreel from day one.

Create the best one you can today.

Then let it grow alongside your career.

At the end of the day, a showreel tells a story. Not just the story of the characters you’ve played, but the story of your own journey as an actor.

When I watch mine, I don’t just remember the projects I’ve worked on. I also see everything I’ve learned since I decided to return to doing what I love most.

Here’s my current showreel. Like any actor’s career, it’s always evolving.