Reels are gold!

Can you imagine an accountant cutting together a reel to land their next CFO position? It sounds absurd, but in our industry, it works.

From my desk, I’ve seen it happen countless times. A DP or producer calls looking to hire someone quickly. They’re in a pinch. At that moment, they’re not reading resumes, they’re scanning visually. Sometimes, the only thing they want before making a decision is a reel.

When a client doesn’t have one ready, even if I submit a strong resume and an IMDb link, they can miss out on the opportunity.

A great resume can open doors, but a great reel gets attention.

A reel is more than a montage. It’s a short film, a concise story about who you’ve worked with, who has trusted you with their vision, and what you consistently deliver. It becomes your visual resume.

I’ve watched many strong reels over the years, and there is a formula to making one count. Keep it under three minutes. Choose a soundtrack that reflects your sensibility and tone. Pay attention to pacing and editing choices. Your first 20–30 seconds matter most. Decision-makers move quickly, so your reel needs to speak clearly and immediately.

Beyond a well-crafted paper resume, your reel has a very small window of time to make an impression, both visually and emotionally. If you’re going to cut one, make sure it elevates you above the rest.

If you’d like to discuss how to approach yours strategically, feel free to call or email.