Is it okay to use old (kinda crappy quality) footage for Demo Reel?

[DDirector]

I have to make a demo reel really soon, but I have some problems with video quality.

Most of the videos I have are fairly old. And basically, that's when I just started learning about the technical side to filmmaking and editing, so the quality isnt the best. Even though it was shot in HD, the way it was exported, it was by mistake.

So, would it still be okay to use older footage in a demo reel?

I believe I have some nice shots in my older footage, and I dont have enough HD quality footage available, so thats why I want to use my older stuff, so I at least have something...

The older stuff is all on my YouTube Channel.
Youtube.com/michaelfrymus

 

[caldwell]

Hi michael

put the stuff on their that you feel great about...

the stuff you really really feel great about. If they ask for 10 minutes that is just an idea... send the length that you want to send of stuff you think is your best magic.


hd non hd etc, light it light

BUT as I have looked through a few of your vids, make sure it doesn't look like student work... that can be a deal killer.

 

[Stephen Mick]

This may sound a bit harsh, but this is coming from someone who's spent the better part of the last 15 years looking through demo reels for directors, editors, DPs and others.

If your work is great, no one will notice how "old" it is. The problem is work that looks dated or, as said above, like student work. If the footage you have available doesn't tell the story you need or want to tell about your abilities, then you need to go shoot new footage. Do whatever you have to do, but shoot some footage that shows what your real talents are. I've watched director's demo reels that have spots that are five and ten years old on them. If they're great spots, that's fine. But if they look or feel dated, it tells me that they haven't done anything good since then. It's like the high school quarterback who, twenty years later, is still talking about the touchdown pass he threw in the state championship. Well…that's great, but what have you done lately? If you're having to reach that far back to show what you're capable of, you're in trouble.

Now, as to your reel specifically…

I wouldn't consider the work on your YouTube channel good enough to build a DP/Cinematographer reel with. I don't see enough range stylistically, and I'm not seeing a real, concrete grasp of where to use certain lighting/visual approaches in different situations. When I look at a DP reel, it's often in response to a certain project I'm working on, and I might be looking for some very specific stylistic approaches. But in general, I like to look for a broad range of "looks" and a consistent, artistic touch in regards to how lighting is shaped and used.

I would suggest that you study as many DP reels online as you can find. Look at both the quality and variety of the shots and lighting approaches that they present. And find ways to add work to your reel that competes (as much as possible) with what you see there.