Get reel ! (a noob question)

A

AlexMacP

Active member
Sorry for a very rudimentary question but I am just starting out in video.

I am a still photographer that is moving to video. I know being a still guy, there is the portfolio
to showcase my work. In video, I know it is the "reel"

What exactly is a reel? What do I put in it? How long should each segment be? Should there
be a certain shots to include in it? How long should it run?
Ect ect.

Best,
Alex

alexmacpherson.com
 
What do you put in your portfolio? you put your best work, work that is indicative of what you prefer to do or where you want to go. Put the same stuff in your reel.
 
The length is determined by it's ability to keep us from clicking the 'close window' button in our browsers.
The purpose of a reel is to show off how epicly, unbelievably better you are than the competition out there so that clients would rather use you.
Or better still: If your reel is good enough, you could actually convince potential clients to hire you to do things that they usually would not do, like CGI in a 30sec TVC or some amazing extra way to spend money on a wedding movie.

Alternatively, you could use a reel to show how grey, uninspiring and unoriginal you are (like most reels that arrive on my desk).

Filmographers and editors rarely know just how powerful a business card their reel can be!
 
Seeing as I am an outsider from the video world, I think I need a more basic explanation.

I know a photo can go in a portfolio. How does that translate in terms of video?
 
AlexMacP said:
Seeing as I am an outsider from the video world, I think I need a more basic explanation.

I know a photo can go in a portfolio. How does that translate in terms of video?
Click to expand...

A reel is basically a visual CV.

It is a visual compendium of any creative work done, whether still, painted, animated or filmed.
Basically, if you can get it on your NLE (editing software) timeline, you can put it in your reel.

Most Reels are accompanied by complimenting music, original, library or licensed.

It needs to answer a few basic questions:

What do you actually do?
How good are you at doing it?
Why should someone hire you as opposed to your competition?
(What are your USP's - unique selling points).

Some people use their Reels to show off their entire creative history, this is handy if requested but what you want is something that showcases your finest work... like a movie trailer showing off the best bits of a movie.

Hence 'ShowReel'.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top