doc reel testing: 'visual storytelling' critiques welcomed

[mcbob]

Greetings all

I'm putting together demo reels and am contemplating a new (to me) format for one of the reels: putting together a few short cut sequences from doc and doc-style commercial projects... still all over a generic music bed, but keeping the shots in sequence vs. the usual camera demo reel strategy of disjointed shots. I'm not certain on it, as it keeps some so-so shots that were vital to linking better shots (albeit done well, hopefully), and it plays a good bit slower than most doc reels because of its nature.

Anyway... curious on what some other professionals think. Feel free to be frank. Advanced thanks for any and all feedback.

https://vimeo.com/108135190

 

[rob norton]

Nice one mcbob. If you're getting hired on your ability to shoot solo then you might want to include examples of audio too, you could even have a small separate reel?

 

[adkimery]

For editing reels I'm always in favor of showing completed works (if it's short form like commercials or promos) or complete scenes from long form work. I've moved away from creating showreels for my editing work and instead link to a vimeo channel with 5 or 6 samples of my work. I'm a freelance editor though so I'm targeting producers, directors, etc.,. not clients looking for one-stop-shop video productions.

 

[Patryk_Rebisz]

Are you looking for the feedback as cameraman, director, editor, producer...? All four?

As cameraman you show a verity of shots, i like how you are not afraid to put camera close to the action and in general get a dynamic shots. What i don't like is your lack of lighting - most, if not all, shots use available lighting even though you could have brought a LED or something to spice up those CUs. So your reel shows that as cameraman you are efficient and will get the work done, and that you are somehow creative BUT it doesn't show you striving to deliver the most fantastic shots possible (the lighting comment above). With that you are missing out on higher end jobs that want the docu-commercial vibe.