A ‘reel’ is a compilation of clips from an actor’s body of film and/or television work that shows them at their acting best. Reels can be posted to online casting services in addition to the actor’s headshot and resume or directly submitted to casting professionals. Reels allow casting people to see the actor in action, and are being used more and more as a determining factor in who gets called for an initial audition.

When putting together a reel, actors select the best moments from their work and then have the collection or reel put together professionally. Beginning actors who do not yet have television or film work to include in a reel should consider creating one.