Best Comp Reels (Inspiration)

[Matt W.]

I'm going to be cutting a new reel for 2d comp and I think a big part of a reel is the edit, the style, even potentially incorporating motion graphics as I see many high end reels where the work itself looks basic until it is dressed up. I have a friend who works in advertising so I want to send him a new reel.

What are the most impressive compositing reels you've seen? Artists and supervisors, what do you like to see... clean up... screen comps... motion matching... what do you want to see that someone can do? What has impressed you before?

Not looking at 3d or animation, although a bit of that can't hurt. Thanks!

 

[John Brennick]

Hey Matt,

I hope you're well. I guess the main thing is what kind of work do you want to do? Film? Commercials? Are you marketing yourself as a compositor for motion graphics/stylized compositing for commercials or photo realistic compositing for film. If its film then creating environments, building matte paintings, integrating CG with wipes, and layering is always a good way to go. Before and afters (if the work is good) is always a crowd pleaser but use it sparingly. However if you start mixing up motion graphics and cutting it to look like a music video, it tends to take away from the work that you're trying to showcase. It can distract them from what they are trying to pay attention to which for film is the detail. Any interview I've ever been on or have been a part of, they always turn the music off and focus on the work. Some may disagree with me, and to each their own. However, on the flip side, if you're going for commercial compositing, then generally you can throw some motion graphics in there for transitions, and use quick/creative cuts to compliment the shorter shots you're generally going to be creating for commercial work. But at the end of the day it's always about the final shot that makes it on the screen. So you just want to make it as easy for the viewer to see all of your hard work as you can.

This is a good compositing reel from Method Studios for the work they did on Vinyl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1k9MriM9To

Enders game break down from Image Engine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTqPtqd6ino

This is some of the work we did on Black Sails Season 3 for the storm sequence. For the compositing aspect you can just see the breakdowns for the final shots.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjIwtyaxOcQ

I hope this helps!

All the best,

-John

 

[Matt W.]

I want to get more work in advertising, but I've worked in advertising and tv and indie. My friends' dad runs a production company and I'd like to pitch to them as a lower-tier vendor for paint out, etc. on their less expensive projects. I think...

The Black Sails stuff is sick btw! I need to check that show out.

Would it be okay if I PM'd you?

 

[John Brennick]

I want to get more work in advertising, but I've worked in advertising and tv and indie. My friends' dad runs a production company and I'd like to pitch to them as a lower-tier vendor for paint out, etc. on their less expensive projects. I think...

The Black Sails stuff is sick btw! I need to check that show out.

Would it be okay if I PM'd you?

Hey Matt,

Ah ok. That makes sense then. That kind of work is very typical for client side and in-house compositing and it's a REALLY good skillset to have. I spent about 3-4 years doing client side where that kind of work becomes bread and butter work. If you go that route, breakdowns are key and you want to show how you did it with wipes. Again, flashy is cool, but I think having great work speaks for itself. And absolutely. Feel free and pm me if you'd like. Talk to you soon!

-John

 

[Matt W.]

Thanks, I'll get at you after Christmas if that's okay.

 

[Louis Maddalena]

I'm currently doing a lot of work with "The Molecule" their reel is nicely done so I'd check it out.. they have a bunch on vimeo but also check out their website (http://www.themolecule.com/)

 

[Matt W.]

I'm currently doing a lot of work with "The Molecule" their reel is nicely done so I'd check it out.. they have a bunch on vimeo but also check out their website (http://www.themolecule.com/)

Nice! That's some nice work. I only do 2D so a lot of that is out of my league but the style is nice. I think that's what I meant earlier... motion graphic style animating elements in so you get the before/after wipe without the "boring" wipe and your taste and skill comes through even in the way the edit is constructed. It's not just the strength of the shots but the presentation I guess is what I meant so I was looking for examples of that... my work is what it is.

On that note, when you comp 3D work, is it kosher to put that in your reel or is it better to only put art you modeled/animated/textured yourself?

Maybe it is time to learn C4D.