What is a reality show 'sizzle reel'?

What is a reality show 'sizzle reel'?

Mark Cronin (Founder & Producer) gives expert video advice on: What is a reality show 'pilot'?; Does a network ever buy a show without making a pilot?; Should I put my own money into producing a reality show pilot or series? and more...

A reality show sizzle reel is just a fast moving presentation of something. You're trying to sell something, really. It's another sales tool. Often it's used in terms of a talent, when you want somebody to think that you've got the hottest talent out there. For example, if it's a musician and they've got 15 number one hits, big Grammys, and big videos. You want to cram everything into this fast moving five minutes that cause a network to think, "That's the biggest star I've ever seen in my life because look at all those number one hits and Grammys and movies they've made. That's a big star." That's a sizzle reel in reality television. It's exciting and under five minutes - possibly under three to two minute - with just a barrage, trying to convince somebody of something.