OTHER: Please Critique my Demo Reel & win a prize!

M

mcbob

Veteran
Anything you like? Anything you hate? Anything that makes you feel in any way that would positively or negatively affect your willingness to hire this person?

Yet, I know you're busy folks - I'll offer incentive, however meager.

Next Monday, I'll draw one name from the responders and send them (at my cost) a hand-carved mahogany elephant (not actual size).

Plea for attention? Maybe... but my last demo reel was so bad that I got about 80% less work the following year, and I hope not to ever, ever, ever repeat whatever mistakes I was making.

So... help my face to the collective media world suck less... and maybe win a small wooden elephant. We all win... except, of course, for those who don't.


The reel:
http://vimeo.com/21564675
 
I'm not sure I can be of much help but I thought it was good. You might want to see what other people think of the music. It's fine with me, but it could help to see what kind of music others think would fit. Also, you could ask yourself if it includes material that appeals to specific possible clients. I mean, for example if your possible clients are looking for a wedding or church video, having material like that in there might help. But it looks like you have a pretty good amount of different things that look good.
 
Can I make the assumption you are a documentary filmmaker?

I think my only critique would be to make it shorter. While there are a handful of stellar shots in there, some are a bit dull/unimpressive. Not to dog these shots, some of them are necessary for your type of work. There's only so many ways to have a video of a kid smiling, after all. I would say knock it down to one minute and just keep the main, most impressive shots (the shot of the worker in the factory, the mother and child with the red doorway, etc). Aside from some over exposure issues (which I find are generally more forgiven considering the type of work and the fact you're in outdoor conditions), everything was nice from a technical standpoint. I just feel like there's quite a bit of "fat" that could be trimmed.

I also was not a huge fan of the music. Nothing particularly wrong with it, just sort of conjured images of "California's Gold" with Huell Howser (if you're not familiar, do a quick youtube search).

I hope these comments come across as constructive. I applaud you nonetheless, it can be nerve-wracking to just lay a demo reel out to bare. I'm still terrified to.
 
yeah man, the music is kinda incongruous, but you certainly know how to use yourcamera. You have been to a lot of places, it looks like. i like the variety of subjects and locations. I would definitely say you are hirable as a cameraman, but if i was producing a documentary I wouldn't ask you to pick the music. :)
 
I love the universal revulsion to the music - definitely keeping it now! :D

but yeah, it is a bit too long. Probably trim it to ~45-60s max. Now it's just picking the best grains from the chafe...

Thanks a ton for the comments and suggestions. Bryant, you're the winner chosen at random - PM me your address for the elephant.
 
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