Check Out My Demo Reel. Please?

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young_fast_&_scientific

Active member
Hey guys,

Just finished the first pass at my brand new demo reel. It's for directing, and mainly focusing on my documentary work, with a few other things thrown in for good measure.

I'm hoping to show my ability to conduct interviews AND shoot interesting B-roll footage. It was a bit of a challenge putting together a reel that wasn't just shots to music, but rather short clips with interview audio. Hopefully it's come together alright.

Also, decided to go SD 4:3 with this one considering a good chunk of my footage was shot on 16mm and captured from miniDV. The rest of the footage was shot with the HVX.

Here's the linK: http://www.spacejunk.org/podcast/JCDEMOREELSMALL.mov

Please let me know what you think, especially if you were a documentary producer.

Thanks in advance.
 
Very solid. Very nice camera work. Exceptional really. I would give the B-roll (choices and execution) an A+!

Couple of comments. Because the music 'unifies' the material, it feels a little confusing when you switch to another piece without indication (transition, chyron). Also, because the music does not have any significant changes it hurts the energy of your demo reel overall because it makes it feel long.

Additionally, while some of the b-roll was high energy and helped to move the energy along. At other times, during the interviews, it dragged. In particular, the guy in the baseball cap talks for what seems to be a really long time. I fast forwarded at that point the first time but then watched it in real time so I could give better feedback. His interview, as well as the guy in the blue collared shirt, do not look as good (well shot, composed) as the rest of your stuff - which is top notch.

Overall, I would take a look at punctuating your piece more. Energy changes, music changes. Your work seems to be top rate. I think that it raises the expectations for a demo reel.

Hope that helps.
 
Only one commment . . like a lot of movies coming out today . . could hardly hear the interviews over the loud background music. Our software from Avid gives us what you hear is what you get . . others programs must not do that because there is a lot of stuff being made on video that has LOUD background to the point of not being able to hear the narrative. Otherwise, cool stuff. Looked like TV :o)
 
Nice style. I got a tad bored in the middle. I would cut it down some. I like the way you present yourself. It's a good first pass. The last interview has bad composition. The subject is on the left of the screen and looking to the same side. He should be sitting on the other side or looking to screen right. Might wanna cut that if you're showcasing your skills.
 
Thanks for the comments guys.

Oynk: I really appreciate your comments. I did have titles at one point, indicating the names of the films the footage came from. That could help seperate the segments. I'm not sure if that's a standard among demo reels. ?

I agree that one or two interview segments ran a little long, and some looked better than others. I'm thinking I may cut down the one that you suggested. In some cases, I think the interview content is more important than how it looks (unless it looks HORRIBLE) but I agree some of it can be cut down.

drdimento: I haven't really done much work levelling the sound yet, so thanks for the comment. I will be sure to adjust the volume appropriately.

Phil Maker: I agree with your thoughts on the last interview shot. It was a matter of choosing what he was saying over how it looked. The rest of the interview has him looking directly into the camera, so the composition isn't an issue. I just liked what he had to say in that particular moment. However, I might just cut the whole clip entirely.


Thanks again guys. Any other comments would be greatly appreciated.
 
some interesting stuff there - though I think i found the content more interesting and compelling than the shots.
 
Great work. I enjoyed the shots and colors. The pacing was nice too. What exactly did you use for the classroom shot when you dollied back? It came out great.
 
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