Editing reel advice

[Aneurysm]

So, I've sifted through my work, found the best nuggets, and am ready to put my editing reel together, but I'm having an issue with two ideas that are in contradiction.

Generally, a demo reel is supposed to be short and sweet, and able to capture and maintain the attention of a potential employers/client. This model works with DP reels and motion graphics/effects, but what about editing? Aren't somewhat longer sections of ones work required to show that you have storytelling skills?

So would a longer reel with bits of various stories be in order, or a shorter reel with links to a portfolio of longer samples?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Shane Ross]

If the people ask for a DVD, then I target a DVD specifically to them...using samples that are along the same lines. I have a quick 30 second open montage of all the shows I worked on, and then 2-3 samples...pretty long ones, 2 min or so. Then my name and phone number.

But mainly I have an online website with 2-5 min samples of work. Full scenes. Let the clients pick and choose what they want to watch.

www.shanerosseditor.com

 

[NoahK]

I'd go with the latter. Short is always better...

Noah