Blood in Reel?

[Steven Dean]

Asking for advice, or any thoughts:

I have a short clip that I want to put in my demo reel where the actor has a gash on his face. Not totally huge, but the make up is stellar, and using a 100mm Leica APO Macro, it is pretty sharp. There is a lot of dynamic tension in this clip, and it fits perfectly with the clip preceding it in my reel... I want to keep it in, but not sure if this would be a turn off for certain prospective clients?

Any opinions? Am I over thinking this?

Thanks!

 

[Karl Janisse]

Id say you are greatly over-thinking things

 

[Jonathan Stevenson]

Id say you are greatly over-thinking things

Agreed. Depends on how you want to market yourself. If you want to market yourself to right-wing conservative groups, then take it out.

I personally like to market myself as a "sex/drugs/rock and roll" type of DP. Plenty of that goodness in my reel. I ain't scurred!!

https://vimeo.com/user11320612/review/65895889/260de65c88

But seriously, a little cut on the face would only upset a Mennonite client. I think you're cool.

 

[Bob Gundu]

Its a legit question. I would drawn the line on dismemberment or general gross out cringe fest stuff. Same goes for music choices- some reels I have have to turn the audio off becaus my ears were bleeding.

 

[Ryan De Franco]

I don't think you're over-thinking it at all.

Commercial directors, agencies and most of all clients want to see only what they want you to shoot--and maybe some beautiful stunning narrative work.

Your absolute best work.

Your work that says "this is what I can do."

If you are cutting a reel for narrative directors, blood and flat light is no problemo. (I'm sure the moving image has great tension and human momentum and yadda yadda yadda.)

Except you mentioned "certain prospective clients." What are you trying to get into? Shooting product, shooting hospitals, shooting lifestyle, shooting restaurants interviews weddings etc etc? These are a few things for which an art director, bride-to-be or magazine editor might say 'ooh this guy does drama, we need someone with a softer look.'

If instead you're looking to snag more music video , documentary, narrative, sports, blah blah blah, then a bit of blood might juice up the reel in a good way--'this guys got balls, he can make pain look real,' (bullshit bullshit bullshit, I want to meet the director who says 'my dp makes pain look real' and whack him with a pelican)

Perhaps most important--who do you see watching your reel--what does the rest of your reel look like--have you screened it for people similar to the people you hope will see your reel, ask them to note shots that jump out in fortunate or unfortunate ways?

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Um... Who says you have to have just one reel?

Cut the best reel you can that showcases a good variety of your work. Makeup FX, even blood and guts, are a trade skill in this business, so don't be afraid to show. As you build up enough content, create reels for various purposes. You probably don't want a lot of blood or other such work in a reel you're presenting to an agency who's looking to shoot food commercials, for example.