New Year, New Reel

dcarstens

dcarstens

Well-known member
Still awaiting being able to use footage from a couple choice shoots, but figured it was time to give the reel a facelift and start branding my new production company, Espionage Films. Feedback welcome- I'd definitely like to find a better way to do the titles (maybe have a friend who's handy with motion gfx).


Do feel free to make this thread a comprehensive cinematography reel showcase, as a central compilation of reels is something I'd be interested in.
 
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Nicely done.

I think the opening shots are the best; they kept me watching. The variety of shots, moves, and schemes was very nice and advertises your command of the artform.

Perhaps it could be cut down to 3:00? That is my only suggestion, if only because I think some small pieces could be cut out to sweeten the reel, like some of the domestic scenes with the man and two women earlier in the reel. 3:00 is a nice benchmark.

I listened to it with the music off so I could focus more on the shots, so if you're running 3:30 to match the song, try cutting down or changing the song.

Again, a really nice reel!
 
That's a great looking reel! I find when someone is doing good stuff I don't mind if it runs for a while at all, just to take in all the variety.
 
Thanks for the compliments- I color graded everything last night at 2am and am thinking much of it looks a bit over-saturated now, so may do a regrade. Is there anything that stands out as something I should omit?
 
dcarstens said:
Thanks for the compliments- I color graded everything last night at 2am and am thinking much of it looks a bit over-saturated now, so may do a regrade. Is there anything that stands out as something I should omit?
Click to expand...

The shot from above of the guy playing guitar with the focus on the hand was jarring for me, idk bout how everyone else reacted to it. Something seemed off to me. Naturally, my attention was drawn to his face, yet it was not the focal point of the shot.
 
Awesome - I watched to the end !

Id love to know how you move the camera/crew sizes

i think 'red girl' is the strongest looking film - pool party with cut to underwater the strongest sequence - get red girl up to the front

However there is one 'two shot' with her to the right - it is a 'ball scratcher' - her hands are dropping out of the frame - its one of my personal dislikes compositionally it also doesnt cut well from the chatting guy in the shot before (I guess it was actually a different scene)

The guitar man, the handheld master is anohter bad shot, lose guitar man or show us you have done 5 music vids

The opening typography is cheap - bin that and use a black frame with static white writing or get a pro to do it properly

The boat sequence the grade is off one the first shot - the reveal of the boat

Im not sure about the 70s man in the bar - is he comedy or just bad, the second shot the framing is terrible or cut before the move is complete - maybe we need another couple of shots to get to know him

Also there is a kind of ratio mismatch - we get 70% in then see a corporate shot

surf shot is completely off message,again cut it or lets see more

Are you pitching for dramatic DOP work or corporate work, if the latter you need to totally rethink or do a second reel with a massive cut of the drama, if the first, bin the jarring corporate shot

sound design could add another dimension of course

maybe even some sort of titles to the films

There is 2 mins of gold there, mine it out

I think your website again you dont push the 'hire me for money' enough in 'about'

I assume you want to be hired for money

just IMO
 
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Thanks for the notes Sam Morgan. I'll cut out the non-narrative clips and give it another revision.
 
I see you have a corporate/live reel too

you should also clarify what this reel is

DC - 'narrative DOP showreel'
(see also corporate/live reel)

I have the same struggle - all my good shots are narrative, all my good money is corporate !
 
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