Demo reels and putting one together

Doc Bernard

Doc Bernard

Indie Arms Member
So, as some of you know, Indie-Arms is doing it's long awaited demo reel, although I am still waiting on footage from 3 other projects.

Right now, I am sitting here trying to piece it together with some "pop". I want to have a theme and not just a bunch of clips (which is, unfortunately, what I have now).

Does anyone here have a thematic reel? Suggestions? I saw one about a stunt man once that used a News Cast theme and it was good.

Feel free to share links to your reels.

This is a rough cut (and I do not like it):

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I AGREE
 
If I were cutting this I'd try to go with some up-tempo rock or score, the kind of thing you'd hear in an action film (I know: duh). I imagine that's what the Film Comp department is doing, but it's worth noting; moreover, up-tempo is good, but builds and lulls and so forth are also important.

I'd probably cut out the shots with the bank robbers popping out of the car, that stuff doesn't measure up to anything else in the reel. I think some of the shots that weren't in the second reel could have totally stayed in. Helicopters add some definite production value for instance. The crazy focus with revolver guy and helicopter was a nice shot, just cut a bit long.

Really, I'd cut a lot of shots shorter and harder. This is key. Then the pictures and text need some dynamic presentation, some slick transitions and title stuff, anything to carry that pumped-up feeling from the action scenes over to that.

I actually specialize in high-impact short form videos as an editor, so I went through all this myself with my DP reel (in the sig). More examples available, love to work with you if you're thinking about hiring a cutter.
 
Hey, Justin, thanks!

This is definitely a work in progress. Still waiting on some sweet footage, but I needed place keepers. I used raw footage of the bank scenes. Yeah, some of the shots are a bit long and disrupt the flow. I have humvee stuff coming that will look really good.

I was told to place some music with the same tempo I want in as a scratch track.

You are the second person that suggests more work on the text lines, so, will revisit that as well.

Thank you very much.
 
I like it.

I would definitely go shorter as well. You are introducing what you do. Once I have seen an effective shot of an assault team or two, I don't need to see it again. Your gear looks great, you show you have the ability to increase production value with the helicopter, then you show a squib hit or two, a fall or two and you're out. The longer it goes on, the more people will doubt you because you keep showing similar shots. I'm glad you are getting even better shots, but even with what you have already it's good. I would just pick one out of every three. Show the amazing stuff (in terms of your gear/abilities, or the production of the shot), and leave them wanting more.
 
Jim, that would definitely make things smoother. I was wondering about if it was too long. That tells me yes. Now to pick the best shots, yet different shots from each of the films. I wanted to have the exit from the duece and a half shot from under it to be the second to last shot, as kind of an ending, right before the sniper shot and my company name/website. I tried to use prep stuff in the beginning, using the weapons in the middle, and moving/leaving at the end.

Thanks!
 
Music works better. Everything is cut shorter and it's more to the point. There is one strange cut where it flashes a 40 cal gunner on top of a humvee.

What bugs me a bit is the font. Feels like it makes it look less professional. Maybe it's just because I have an interest in typography, but I think something else is needed. Since this is about cool guns, and is very action oriented, it should be sans-seriff. Also if it's more neautral, and less bold/blocky it will help take the titles from amateurish to professional.

Also the placement of where they are on the frame should be worked out. Try to use negative space for the placement of the titles. You often put them over cluttered areas of the frame and they feel distracting and even more cluttered. I'm assuming they're all placed lower on the frame to keep it consistent and to not force people to change the point of focus too often. But it's a small screen, and you want people to look at the pictures anyways. With enough time, placing the titles in proper neutral negative spaces I think will make it look more professional. The final shot, however, is placed perfectly and the only thing I think should change is the font.

Good job on the reel.

EDIT: Looking it over a second time, it is a bit fast so not sure if my above advice about the negative space would work. Guess it's up to you. You could keep it as is (IMO with a changed font), or you could place them in their respective negative space while leaving more time on the photos.
 
Thank you, ilauzirika, Jon.

Yeah the fonts continue to bug me too. Maybe I will go back to my old stand-by, Helvetica
 
Helvetica will probably be a good choice. It's always a safe neutral font. Though some people hate it because it's used so often. Though these are often designers... I doubt your clients will care very much.
 
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