Another Attempt (Completely Revised Demo Reel - First 50 Seconds)

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dwnsthballer

Well-known member
Alright, so I'm back for another round of ripping.

I sat down and thought about how I want to present my work and everything, and I went around looking at a bunch of other demo reels and got a lot of great ideas about how I want to edit and put it together. So here it is:

NOTE: IT'S ONLY THE FIRST 50 SECONDS THAT ARE DONE FOR NOW.

www.greenbench.tv/videos/Demo121406.wmv

I'm working with 4 projects:
3 Music Videos
1 Promotional Photography Piece

Tell me what you guys think, I'm hoping that this is a HUGE step up from my last demo reel (which can be seen at www.greenbench.tv/videos/Demo.wmv). How is the music? The choice of shots? The editing? I plan on sticking another music video in there after January. I'd like to have more moving shots in the beginning, but you guys tell me! I'd like to know if I'm going in the right direction this time.

I put that it's a "director/writer reel" (going to package scripts with my reel when I send it out) but I'm thinking of changing it to a DP reel (slowly getting more interested in DP'ing, which means I'd have to change some shots). I'm waiting to see how this next music video goes.

Be honest and let me have it!
 
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Just my opinion, but the music choice may not be the best with that video so fresh in everyones minds. Its still in heavy rotation, and your in a way almost trying to compete with the cinematography and killer slow motion in John Legends video.
 
Thanks for the response.

What was your opinion on the shot selections (lighting, composition) and the editing?

My reel is far from complete, so maybe by the time it's done, the song will be out of rotation and not so fresh in people's minds. Once it's done (a few months from now when I finish my big projects before graduation), I'll post it again and see how everyone feels about it, but for now, I just want some direction.

Any other responses? Don't make me bump this thread! ;)
 
There seems to be footage from only three projects in there so, to me, it seems very repetitive. Also, as a director and writer's reel, I don't quite understand the placement of the ocean shot, it's visually appealing, but I doubt you directed those waves.
 
As stated in my original post, I'm working with only four projects at this moment. Three music videos (two of them being from the same artists), and a promotional piece I did for a sorority at my University.

I understand where you are coming from, and I do intend to add more and change a few shots around once I've completed my other projects, which is why this is only the first 50 seconds. I may turn this into a DP reel as I am becoming more interested by the day in DP'ing than I am in directing.

Quick questions:

1) Would this type of reel be more suited for a DP than a director's?
2) Also, is the demo reel for my new intro more appeasing than my old one?
3) What do you classify yourself as if you want to do everything? (Direct, Write, DP, Produce, etc.)
4) How do you present your demo reel as non-repetitive if your best visual work is only within three to four projects. Most of my work is great by content, and not by it's technical or visual aspects. How do you get that across?

I think it was around the time I discovered I couldn't direct the ocean that I got more into framing, composition, lighting etc...

KEEP THE FEEDBACK COMING!
 
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here, i'll answer your questions:

1. this is a dp reel. director's reels tend to have excerpts of their work that displays the directing. for a writer/director reel, i would want to see examples of blocking, a brief example of narrative work, and acting. little excerpts of completed work not set to music.

2. yes.

3. tell people you're a "hands on producer."

4. show some of the work as-is.
 
Sorry for being so technical, but could I really classify myself as a "film maker"? I'm not really using film and in the past when I've tried calling myself that, my professors and professionals in the field (did an internship with CBS in NY for the past two summers) scolded me for using that title and so on, so I've just avoided the usage of it until I'm actually using film.

Thanks for the suggestions Bewillia for #4. That one was my biggest concern. I'm going to try and experiment around with it.

More feedback!
 
I'd go back to the music in the first version of the reel. It's less alienating, and seems more original. Also, I like the cuts in the first version better (minus all the special effects). The new version is repetitive even at 50 seconds long- you show the guy singing to the girl at the bar 3 times, with very little change between the 3 shots. Finally, stick to black letterboxing, and keep it all the same size and color letterbox. The original looks better with the black letterbox, but then it changes to 4:3 and then back to letterbox, and then the color changes again.
 
The comments I got in my thread about the other demo reel called my music "Cheesy porn music". You're the first to suggest keeping it. Thanks.

I can change the shots around once I finish my other three music videos in January.

As far as the letterbox goes, the original projects were all shot in different aspect ratios, which meant my framing was different for each one. I tried to satisfy everyone by sticking with the same white letterbox size (cropping) for the duration of my new demo. I prefer white over black.

I'm learning that I just can't make everyone happy.
 
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