Film and TV casting directors tell actors that a showreel increases their chances of being auditioned – but what if you haven’t shot anything yet? IdeasTap to the rescue!

We’re offering 12 members aged 18-30 (plus a duologue partner, who must also be an IdeasTap member) the opportunity to make their first professionally shot and edited acting clip, which they can then upload to their portfolio and send to potential employers.

Winners will be given access to a room, lighting, a professional film crew and a director. You and your acting partner will have 45 minutes to capture your scene, so you must be ready to perform to camera from the start. Award-winning short-film director Rob Savage will be on hand to give feedback and direction.

You'll need to make sure your scene has characters suitable for your casting (e.g. age appropriate) and try to avoid well-known scenes from films or plays. The scene should be two or three minutes in length; you can bring props and costumes along if necessary.

The footage will then be edited into a short 2-3 minute clip (which you’ll receive on a DVD) that you can re-edit, upload and distribute as you see fit. You will not be allowed to consult on the edit, although you can re-edit the finished clip if you desire.

The shoots will take place at IdeasTap HQ on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 February, so please make sure you’re available to attend. There will be two types of space available: a meeting room, with table and chairs, or the larger Green Room café.

This brief closes on Monday 7 January at 5pm and is open to IdeasTap members aged 18-30. If you have any technical queries, please visit the help centre. Late entries will not be accepted under any circumstances, including technical issues – so make sure you don’t leave your application to the last minute.

Image by Vancouver Film School under a CC BY 2.0 licence.

Follow this brief to download the application form