My Reel

Michael Anthony Horrigan

Michael Anthony Horrigan

More Cowbell Pictures
This is my first attempt at compiling a reel.

All the footage was lit, directed, shot & edited by myself.
Camera: Canon HV20

I threw on a music track that some of you will definitely recognize as a temporary solution.
Please let me know what you like and dislike about the reel.
I'm learning here as I go, so I need all the tips from the pros that I can get.

It also sports my new Leader.

REEL

EDIT:
REEL 2

Thanks,

Mike
 
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Hey Mike,

I think this is pretty good. the music is not overwhelming, and seems to fit the pace nicely.

What's cool is how distinct your style is. The reel seems very consistent.

I think the title is WAAAAY too long. It's like 14 seconds.

And I think it ends better on the door close at the end.

But the main question is, what is this for? To get director work?
 
Thanks, Mark.

I'm currently working on a new cut with your proposed ending. That's probably a good idea.
As for the leader... someone made it for me. Yah, it's a tad long.

So, why am I making this? Practice. I've seen them around and figured I would give it a shot.
Who knows, I may need it some day. :)

MAH
 
Just popping in quick here to give a couple notes:

I like that shot of the soundboard/sliders

No offense to the guy with the goatee & short haircut, but he pops up an awful lot. I do like the way the shot is lit with him on the left side of the bed. Maybe trim just a bit off the head of that clip.

A few nice shots on this. No it doesn't hurt to make a reel, does it?
 
Hi Michael some nice shots in there. I dont want to start any blasphemous rumours (hope you get that :P ) but, I think you need to pace it up a bit more. To me, whilst gelling well together, everything seemed very desaturated and dark. Thats fine, but Id mix it up a bit more in your showreel edit.

Also try and cut more in time with the music youve chosen, which whilst I like the song, doesnt sit perfectly for me. Then find a working pro whose been around for awhile and whose opinion you can really trust and run it past them.
 
Michael Anthony Horrigan said:
Thanks, Mark.

I'm currently working on a new cut with your proposed ending. That's probably a good idea.
As for the leader... someone made it for me. Yah, it's a tad long.

So, why am I making this? Practice. I've seen them around and figured I would give it a shot.
Who knows, I may need it some day. :)

MAH
Click to expand...

The reason I ask why, is because it will affect what you do with the reel. If you are going for cinematography jobs, it might be cut different than going for directing, for instance. I usually think of directing reels having more actual scenes in them so people can see your direction.

that's what I meant.
 
Deepfocus88 said:
Just popping in quick here to give a couple notes:

I like that shot of the soundboard/sliders

No offense to the guy with the goatee & short haircut, but he pops up an awful lot. I do like the way the shot is lit with him on the left side of the bed. Maybe trim just a bit off the head of that clip.

A few nice shots on this. No it doesn't hurt to make a reel, does it?
Click to expand...
I use him a lot, he's a very talented guy.
Thanks for the tips.


Noel Evans said:
Hi Michael some nice shots in there. I dont want to start any blasphemous rumours (hope you get that :P ) but, I think you need to pace it up a bit more. To me, whilst gelling well together, everything seemed very desaturated and dark. Thats fine, but Id mix it up a bit more in your showreel edit.

Also try and cut more in time with the music youve chosen, which whilst I like the song, doesnt sit perfectly for me. Then find a working pro whose been around for awhile and whose opinion you can really trust and run it past them.
Click to expand...
Got it of course. :)
I'll see if I can get it to work with the music a little more.


Mark Harris said:
The reason I ask why, is because it will affect what you do with the reel. If you are going for cinematography jobs, it might be cut different than going for directing, for instance. I usually think of directing reels having more actual scenes in them so people can see your direction.

that's what I meant.
Click to expand...
Understood. You've seen most of my stuff. What should I add if I was to go the director route? Do you mean full complete scenes from start to finish?

Thanks for this everyone.
I'll be updating the thread with a new edit soon. If you have a sec let me know which you prefer.

EDIT: Here it is... REEL 2

MAH
 
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hey man, I dig it. the music wore out its welcome at the very end and I think the overall edit could be tightened up slightly (maybe 10-15%), but that's much better than the majority of reels I see which are about 300% longer than they should be.
 
shawneous said:
hey man, I dig it. the music wore out its welcome at the very end and I think the overall edit could be tightened up slightly (maybe 10-15%), but that's much better than the majority of reels I see which are about 300% longer than they should be.
Click to expand...
I agree.
Thanks for the input. I'll probably tighten it up a bit when I get the chance.
 
I watched the second reel and thought it was great. Nice pace, length, and variety of shots. The last shot in particular was a great way to end. Very well done.
 
Chris Messineo said:
I watched the second reel and thought it was great. Nice pace, length, and variety of shots. The last shot in particular was a great way to end. Very well done.
Click to expand...
Thanks! As for the ending, I agree. That was Mark's idea. :thumbup:

That's why I post things here, for the excellent feedback.

Thanks, guys! Much appreciated.

MAH
 
Looked prett good Michael. The one thing that stuck out to me was the opening shot with the pan. Once the actor passed the column and goes down a step, he is framed so low that it was distracting. I would cut it at the column. It also killed the momentum for me. Other than that, it had a good rhythm.
 
Jim Klatt said:
Looked prett good Michael. The one thing that stuck out to me was the opening shot with the pan. Once the actor passed the column and goes down a step, he is framed so low that it was distracting. I would cut it at the column. It also killed the momentum for me. Other than that, it had a good rhythm.
Click to expand...
Edit: Scratch that. Yah, it's still a bit low. I'll see what I can do with that in editing.
 
I did see him...it still felt too low, though. .02

I also agree that your ending shots were very well done.
 
Hey Mike,

The reel certainly reflects your visual style. Very consistent. It almost feels like a trailer for 'a' film, and not clips from various. :)

Good job.

One of these days you gotta make a film in color. :evil:
 
Michael, second cut is better. Though Id still tighten those cuts up a little, cue a bit more to music, and try to cut some of the shot length down in places.
 
Noel Evans said:
Michael, second cut is better. Though Id still tighten those cuts up a little, cue a bit more to music, and try to cut some of the shot length down in places.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I made none of the changes you requested, I just slipped in a few more shots and lost the leader.

I'll be trimming it down and trying to sync it with the music a little more.
I agree that it would benefit from that. :thumbup:

Thanks,

Mike
 
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