Demo Reel

ChuckS

ChuckS

Veteran
Someone just asked me for my demo reel. I was taken back by the question. I haven't needed or been asked for a demo reel in more than 15 years.

How many people have demo reels? What do you include and how long should it be?

I just put this together as an introduction I was going to follow it up with samples from Commercials, Documentaries, and Promotional videos I've produced.

Is this a good idea?



Also this is a draft so I'd welcome any suggestions.
 
Then only thing I'll comment on is something that felt weird to me. (And it might just be me.) This felt like it was moving backwards going from left to right across the screen. I know it probably sounds weird but it felt that way as I was watching it. :undecided
 
This may not apply to you but effects reals should be no more than 2 minutes.
The people who check reels, they say, fast forward through most of it and seldom if ever listen to music. That's from the CG end though. But I'm sure it's typical.

It should show your skills/strengths in the area of the job you are applying for. Anything else is a hazard.

In your case, your not applying for a job, I don't think, so?

But I find your presentation has too much fluff and not enough substance. In other words, too much focus on presentation. If that's your occupation, then it's probably perfect or close to it. Otherwise I have no idea what you do.

Looked very pro though. Just not sure what your trying to say in it.
The intro seemed a bit long/flashy also. Again , not sure what the goal of the reel is.
This might be fine as a public 'here's what I do" kind of thing but not something I send to an employer. Know what I mean?

//Producer. Yeah maybe a brief text (1/2 second maybe?) of what this is about and your name and contact maybe. I'd have to recheck some posts from the guys who look at this stuff.

I don't know. What does a producer do? That's what you want to showcase. It's not an effects reel or a DP reel or an actors reel.
I do not know then.
 
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Thanks guys.

Blaine I certainly never thought of that. I'm not sure what to think about that, but hey, that's why I put it out there...

There's a small independent production company located in Montana, where I would like to move. And I think they mostly do small regional commercials, documentary's and local programing. They are looking for someone who can edit, has experience with After Effects for motion graphics and simple effects, and can generally develop, or at least maintain a certain level of quality.

Gord.T, your comments are well taken. I have a great FX reel but since I've been out of that business for several years I don't use it.

This is currently one minute and I was going to include another minute of content I've shot for Commercials, Promo's etc. But honestly I have no idea what people are looking for.

Even when I was still working in the FX industry I don't ever recall looking at peoples "demo" reels to hire them. We mostly worked on large projects with hundreds of artists so it wasn't clear who specifically did what in a demo reel.

I edit, do motion graphics, and lately been shooting with EX3's and Canon 5D/7D.
 
I thought it was far from typical, but in a good way. If you want to promote yourself as a great graphics guy, this does the job.
 
It's not a WOW but it's definitely something that can lure lots of clients depending on who and where you market yourself. But I've always admire Chucks cinematography skills. :)
 
mainstreetprod said:
I thought it was far from typical, but in a good way.
Click to expand...

OK, I'll cosign that statement.

Looks good, not sure where you're going with it, but certainly anyone "in the know" will pick up on your skills.

I'll also agree with Blaine. Since I would read a book from left to right, that's the way I would have set this up (yeah, like I could put together something like this) :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

I think this reel would be great on a personal website to give some definition as to what you do.

Oh, and I like the fish.
 
Thanks guys. I'm not sure where I'm going with this either so I think I'll leave it as it is for the moment and focus on pulling together some sort of cinematography reel.

~chuck
 
I maintained a VFX reel while I was doing a lot of digital work. Since I mostly do design and art direction-type stuff now, I have collected a bunch of material with which to cut together a design reel, but no one ever asks for one and I have yet to do any editing...
 
Just a comment that the good guys always move screen left to screen right. And so it should be in your reel.
 
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