Acting Tips: Getting Clips for Your Reel

It's 2021 and finally I have a new credit. (Whew) A week ago, March 12th, I appeared as Dr. Iris Carson, a couples therapist to Sharon and Rey on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless. Four scenes and 35-40 lines. Wonderful people at CBS. Professional and friendly. My whole time there went like clockwork and was such a positive experience. I even had a parking space with my name on it. (Funny how much the little touches mean to an actor.)

Now, how do I get my clip? Years and years ago I addressed this topic from my perspective as an East Coast know-not-much and it seemed terribly difficult. Now that I have an agent the whole process is much easier. Olivia at MZA referred me to sceneclipper.com where actors can get a downloadable high-res copy of their scenes, any length, for a mere $10.  In fact, for a bit more, they'll even string your clips together into a reel. The caveat is that you do need to be an "industry professional" and the staff at Scene Clipper need to approve your account application. Read the terms of service here.  It seems to me that having professional representation was required and one way they determine you are a pro. Check it out, just to be sure.

My YnR scenes won't show up for a couple of weeks yet, but I was able to find and view my scenes at other cable and broadcast shows I'd been in, such as House of Cards.  Also, since a clip is $10 regardless of length, and since I have my own editing program, as most actors do, I found it easier to just grab the whole section in which my scenes appear and to cut them out and string them together on my own. Anyway, it's good to be back, even if the production people I meet - for the moment at least - look like they're dressed in hazmat suits. I have four auditions hanging. Keeping a good thought.