first reel

I

ignatius

Well-known member
Hi, my name is Ignatius Fischer, I live in Southern California, and I just finished cutting my first reel. It's almost all DVX100b footage, but there are a few clips from a short I shot on a GL2. I haven't posted here very much (more of a lurker), but I figured this was a good place to get feedback on it.

http://witnesspictures.com/reel

Thanks,

IF
 
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Way to long, recut the song or choose a different one. Some really good shots in there and some not so good ones. Pick the best ones and shorten the whole thing up. Also theres some interlacing issues if its gonna be an online video u might wanna remove. On the right track though, love alot of the camera movements!
 
There is some great looking stuff here. Some nice fluid shots, especially the woman walking down the stairs, very nice. I do feel there is a little repetition of similar shots and the length could be shorter (even though I like how it feels more like a story then a reel... but alas it is a reel). In my opinion (not the best mind you:) ), I would cut the shots of the girl picking through the trash and the previous one of her dancing, not much going on in those shots. Also the chainsaw shots of the log... I wonder if you should just pick one, personally like the one with the log more on the side compared to the one with the log below camera. And yes, the shot of the woman getting the spoon from out of the drawer has some bad interlacing but nothing show stopping. Some shots I thought were great were: The rotating one with the "dead" man, the woman walking down the stairs, the converstion of the gil in the car mouthing 'can I help you', and the sword fighting footage (of course there a few others... but those stuck out). Also, some shots I feel could use a little Color correcting to make them really scream greatness... but all and all great work.

Where about in Southern CA, do you live?
 
Thanks for the feedback, Jeremy, all of your comments are appreciated.

I live in the Hemet/Temecula area, but I work all over. I recently came back from an art direction gig in Tucson.

IF
 
We are going to jump into a new project in the spring and are looking to find a DP to work with so if it's cool, I'd like to keep in touch.
 
filmismymedium said:
in addition to the above...
Maybe mask all of the images similarly b/c the 16:9 to 4:3 back and forth bothered me.
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Thanks, filmismymedium. I considered the differing mattes issue, but I didn't think I should alter director-chosen formats. What is your opinion on that?
 
tough call on the masking... i liked a lot of your shots but didnt stick around to watch it all the way through... it was too long so i skipped ahead a couple times.

def. pick out the best shots (and there are some freaking fantastic ones, trust me) but edit the song a bit, make it shorter. otherwise, good work! what jib do you use?
 
thekyleman71 said:
tough call on the masking... i liked a lot of your shots but didnt stick around to watch it all the way through... it was too long so i skipped ahead a couple times.

def. pick out the best shots (and there are some freaking fantastic ones, trust me) but edit the song a bit, make it shorter. otherwise, good work! what jib do you use?
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Thanks, Kyle.

One of the short film directors owns an 8' Kessler crane and it was nice to work with.

IF
 
I thought it was really good. Some of the shots were very professional looking and smooth with good composition, etc. Other shots didn't look that good (like the battle type thing). It needs to be atleast 3 times shorter. I thought the music was pretty good and you matched the pace pretty well, but it just doesn't keep your interest for the entire thing, even if there are good shots.
 
I just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to watch and comment on my reel. I can easily slice the running time to 2:46 or so. It would be extremely helpful if anyone were to tell me what shots they DON'T like.

Once again, thanks for your time.

IF
 
yea, i suppose its really your discretion whether of not to mask them all the same.

I would probably try to make it shorter that 2:46. This is basically your "ad" for possible clients so they are gunna want something short and sweet. I really wouldnt go over 1:45 or 2

It would be extremely helpful if anyone were to tell me what shots they DON'T like.
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Didnt really like the shot with the crazy/drunk girl shooting that guy.

BTW. Loved the smooth shots of the woman coming down the stairs
 
I would change "cinematography" at the end to "cinematographer" or "director of photography" just looks funny written like that when you are advertising yourself.
 
Most of it looks very good, I like the music.
The bad: Too long, get rid off the "Roman Soldiers" Also there is a woman (brunette with shorter hair): A/ too many shots with her, you want to show more diversity, she is too visible. B/ most of the shots she is in need color correction very badly. One last thing: try to merge the field (better that de-interlacing) if you are going to post your reel online, it's distracting... Other than that you have a reel you can be proud of.
 
id keep the aspect ratio the same as the project was....its a reel if you shot a project in 16:9 you show in 16:9 in the reel....reels arnt really to watch for entertainment value there to show off what youve done. I wouldnt even consider it. and yea defffinetly shorten it. I would go project by project and just take a few of the best shots thats what I have always done and it seems to work...keeps it clean and organized.
 
JZalutsky said:
id keep the aspect ratio the same as the project was....its a reel if you shot a project in 16:9 you show in 16:9 in the reel....reels arnt really to watch for entertainment value there to show off what youve done. I wouldnt even consider it. and yea defffinetly shorten it. I would go project by project and just take a few of the best shots thats what I have always done and it seems to work...keeps it clean and organized.
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Thanks, JZalutsky. I agree - I framed shots according to their aspect ratios and should only display as intended.

IF
 
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