Demo-reel

The conversation goes like this:

producer: “Hi, we are interested in talking to you about our out-coming documentary, we are looking for a seasoned editor and you have been highly recommended by ... Can you provide us your demo reel?”

Certainly I am having a internal debate about how to respond to his/her reel's soliciting.

“well”, I said, “first thanks for wanting to talk to me about your project but I don't have a demoreel. With all your respect I believe that you can't value my work, understand how I contributed to the success or not of a story and appreciate my craft as a documentary editor by looking at a demoreel.”

Silence in the other end of the line…

producer: “well sorry it was not my intention to offend you but we do like to ask for demo-reels…”

“well”, I respond, “in that case you will not be able to consider me for your project but if you have the time to screen my work I am happy to provide you with few samples.”

The phone call languish with a "we will get back to you..."

I wanted to share that exchange to start a reflection about this new and disturbing trend of asking editors and especially documentary editors for a demo- reel.

How 

Why

Base on what?

Who came out with this idea?

The worst part is that there are documentary editor out there bending to this request and producing fake representation of their craft and contributing to perpetuate this new trend. I believe that no editor work can be appreciated on a 3 minutes demo reel,  it's insulting and diminishing of the valuable creative role and contribution that editors brings into the process of crafting a film. I also believe that we all, as Editors, have the responsibility of protecting our work as individuals and very much so as a collective.I don't accept that a demo reel will become a representation of my work and contribution, I refuse to be measured by that. 

The forum is open, I would like to know what others think about it. 

Ricardo Acosta. C.C.E.