Frequently asked questions

THE SPEED REEL is for performers who already have a standard reel that they feel shows them to their best ability. A speed reel is an abbreviated version of this, highlighting the very best of that reel and offers an additional option to casting offices and reps. This is also a better choice for actors who have under 10 clips or who have mostly self-tapes instead of produced footage. THE STANDARD REEL is for performers who want to build or re-build a reel that shows them in their best light. All of your clips will be meticulously reviewed by a working casting director. They will then consult with you about your footage to go over what may be serving you or working against you, and then create a plan to have your reel edited that shows you to your best ability. THE STARTER KIT is for performers who want a STANDARD REEL and who would also like the option of a SPEED REEL. THE SCENE STEALER is for performers who want a STANDARD REEL in more than one genre, comedy and drama for example. THE ACTOR'S TOOLBOX is for actors who want THE STARTER KIT but in more than one genre. This is a great option for those who have a lot of footage and are looking to widen their window of opportunity as much as possible.

Something actors may not realize is just how important your reel is. As casting directors, we have to be incredibly efficient with our time. The way for us to do that is to see the actor's ability before we bring you in, and that is what your reel is for. Another reason is the ever-changing way we do casting. As casting offices begin to put more actors on tape for producers, the age of the pre-read starts to fade away. In a sense, your reel is now replacing that pre-read. If your reel is not showing what you are fully capable of, you are going to find yourself feeling stuck.

For editing purposes, we define one clip as a single clip no longer than one minute in length. We encourage you to provide us with the best footage you have available. You can still upload clips longer than a minute. If you upload a clip that is three minutes long, we will count it as three of your clips. If there are other actors in your scene, do not cut around them to make the clip shorter. Acting is rarely you in a scene alone, and showing your ability includes the context and interactions of the scene you are in.

15 clips are included with each standard genre and 10 clips are included with each speed genre. Additional clips are $5.00 each and can be added at checkout.

Preferred formats are .MOV, .MP4 and .M4V. Other formats may work but are not guaranteed. Please convert your files to one of these three formats to guarantee a smooth editing process. Recommended resolution is 1080p or higher. Recommended frame rate is 23.98 fps.

If you do not have any footage, we will ask you some questions during your consultation to get a feel for the types of roles you may be right for. We will then hand pick a few scenes for you to put on tape in self-tape format, and we will go over the do's and don'ts for successful self tapes. Once these are complete, we will cut them into a reel that highlights your range.

You may upload your full reel for us to edit, as long as you do not have music running over the entire reel.

We highly recommend separating clips only by genre. If you separate your clips, you risk a casting director or associate clicking on the wrong clip for the role you are being submitted for, and they may move on after that. Although we rarely have time to watch the entirety of a reel, we do skip forward and watch a few seconds of each scene. Giving us one less thing to click on is extremely valuable when we are talking about thousands of submissions per role. The only time we recommend separating your clips is by these genres: comedy, drama, hosting, stunts, standup, and specific languages, which must have English subtitles.

We do not currently provide any camera work through The Casting Director's Cut. If you would like recommendations for places to record your self-tape, please ask us during the consultation.

First you choose your package and proceed through checkout. That takes you to your account page, where you can upload your clips. Next you schedule your consultation date and time with a casting director. During the consultation, your casting director goes over your footage with you. You will discuss order, length, and anything they feel needs to be cut or added. Depending on the amount of notes and footage, the call may last up to 20 minutes. After the consultation, your reel is edited in a format that is most preferred by casting offices. In-person consultations are not available at this time. You have the option to decline a consultation by leaving us a message at checkout, though it is not advised.

Your phone consultation will be up to 20 minutes for one genre, or 40 minutes for two genres, with a casting director. Most consultations do not take the full time. That is just the maximum allotted. Because of the limited availability of our working casting directors, we do not offer in-person consultations at this time.

A session is not a job interview or an audition, and it is not a guarantee or promise of employment. During your session, please do not raise auditioning for a project your casting director is currently working on, and do not raise current breakdowns or projects in production.

We are committed to ensuring that deaf actors and actors who are hard of hearing can access all of the services, privileges, advantages and experiences we have to offer. We are happy to provide alternative support if a phone consultation is insufficient. Please contact us for initial assistance.

In order to give you the best reel possible, we have a Best Work Policy. During your consultation, your casting director may find that you do not have enough quality work to show what you are capable of as an actor. If that is the case, they will assign you applicable sides with extensive notes. This applies to standard reels, not speed reels. You then self-tape that scene and we implement it into your reel. Self-tapes are a perfectly acceptable addition to your reel. We are constantly watching self-tapes pitched to us by agents and managers for different roles. The reel is about your ability as an actor.

Standard delivery is 7 to 10 business days. Priority is 4 to 6 business days for $30, and Expedited is a 72 hour turnaround for $60. Whichever you choose, the clock starts the day after your consultation, not the day you pay. If your casting director assigned you a self-tape under the Best Work Policy, it starts the day you submit that tape.

Your finished reel and every clip you sent us stay on file for two years from delivery. We would still encourage you to download and save your own copy as soon as you receive it, rather than relying on us to hold it. But if you do lose it inside those two years, ask and we will send it again.

One free edit is included per reel if needed. The first additional edit incurs a fee of $50, and each edit after that is $100.

We respectfully decline. One of the primary reasons we offer this service is that there are specific formats the industry prefers. Having us create your reel guarantees the correct format and gives casting directors the best opportunity to consider your work.

Returning customers within 6 months of their reel delivery can add new footage to their reel for $25 per clip. Returning customers past 6 months of their reel delivery can purchase a reel package they have previously bought at a 20 percent discount. Email us for the promo code.

Yes. We keep your finished reel and all of the footage you sent us for two years from delivery, which is what makes a recut possible later. Download your own copy at delivery all the same.

This answer covers reel packages, add-ons and consulting sessions. For The Acting Retreat and webinar tickets, see the separate answer below.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but only coupons and promo codes used at checkout can be honored.

If you received any amount of credit from our admin team for a missed class, intensive or other event, your credit is valid for three months past the date of the event. You may use it toward anything from The Casting Director's Cut, including classes, consultations, reel packages and other special events.

We understand that things come up, but because of the limited availability of our coaches and the structure of our sessions, we are unable to offer refunds or reschedules for missed events or late materials. Consultations, webinars and intensives: if you miss your scheduled session, your spot and payment are forfeited. Please double check your time zone and calendar before booking. Coached self tapes: send the script and the breakdown 24 hours before your appointment, or as soon as you can if you booked inside 24 hours. Our casting directors need this window to research, analyze and prepare feedback specific to your scene. Late submissions do not allow us to deliver the quality of coaching we promise, and we cannot guarantee your tape will be coached. No reschedules or refunds are issued for late or missing materials. Please review all instructions carefully before booking, and reach out in advance if you have any questions.

If an event is cancelled, a refund or credit may be issued at the sole discretion of The Casting Director's Cut. Tickets for The Acting Retreat and webinars are transferrable, as long as you email us at least 48 hours prior to let us know who is receiving your ticket, including their name, phone number and email. Any full or partial refund is subject to the deduction of processing fees.