Quick Tips for Compiling Your Dance Reel

by Tawny Chapman

A dance reel is your visual resume and can be used to supplement an audition, act as the audition itself, or be used as a quick reference of your talent, skill, and artistry. Below are some quick tips to help you get started on your professional dance reel:

• Collect your footage.
  Start by sorting through your video footage. For a dancer reel, solo footage works best so that the viewer can easily identify you. We suggest footage that is stable, in focus, and as close as possible. Avoid shaky, handheld footage or large ensemble performances where it is difficult to pinpoint your individual performance.

• Shoot additional footage.
  If you find that you are short on footage after you've sifted through your archives, consider shooting additional footage. We suggest using a dance space with a clean background and wearing simple, clean, and form fitting dance attire that is going to get you noticed in a positive light and show your fullest potential.

• Organize and trim your clips.
  Dance reels often range in length from 1 to 3 minutes. After sorting through your footage, choose the clips that best represent your talent, artistry, and personality. We suggest using short clips (no more than 10 seconds in length). Start with the most impressive clips, and leave out the clips that don't make you proud.

• Choose some background music.
  We recommend choosing a single audio track for your dance reel. Be mindful of copyright laws. Many channels such as YouTube and Instagram will mute your video if you don't have the appropriate licensing rights. Don't worry! There are several websites where you can download and license songs for a small fee. Our favorites are: BenSound, PremiumBeat, MusicVine, or Soundstripe. Choose a track that is dynamic, energetic, and will capture your unique personality.

• Hire an editor or edit your reel yourself.
  If you are hiring an editor, we suggest seeking out someone with industry experience. Alternatively, there are many easy and free phone or tablet apps that are available in the iOS or Google Play stores. Some of our favorites include: Splice, iMovie, Quik, and FilmoraGo. Use lower thirds to credit the choreographer in each clip.

• Share your dance reel.
  Upload your dance reel for free to YouTube, Vimeo, or any of your social channels. Be sure to use social tags to give credit to the choreographer.

Check out this great example by upcoming GET REAL/REEL guest artist Raquel Fraticelli (Aug. 4)!