Cinematography reel Help

[Mike McMillin]

I get sort of Jaded cutting my own stuff together. I don't know if I think about it too much or what but I could use some insight from some of the older established guys. Is this too long? should I have separate reels for music video/commercial and narrative? Check it out let me know what I should do about it

https://vimeo.com/91032430

 

[Naim Sutherland]

Nice song choice.

I have the same questions as you.

I feel like I didn't get an MOW recently because my reel looks too crazy and dark and I realised there is only 1 shot where actors speak. At the same time, I feel like it stands out and turns heads in a sea of generic looking medium shots.

What do producers see when they look at something like this? Do they see a guy with imagination and style and assume that if they want a nice looking kitchen or living room interior we are totally capable of that too? Or do they think I'm going to shoot their talky drama with explosions or at 11mm with cartoony camera movement because that's what they see on my reel?

I cut a reel out of my favourite work which to me represents my personal style and tastes. I'd rather work on a surreal looking show than a natural looking show, but maybe I am missing out on a lot of work, money and networking because of that? I can do a nice looking living room, cafe or park, I promise!

It seems you split the difference more than I did and included a lot more conventional looking shots, but there is still an air of craziness because of all the music video stuff.

My reel: https://vimeo.com/24134988

I made a way brighter "prettier" commercial reel too because I was worried about how dark my main reel is: https://vimeo.com/71494309

 

[Mike McMillin]

I think what I'm trying to do with a reel is to make it look as flashy as possible, show people a taste of my style and show producers that I can handle budgets. Im just trying to look at it from the perspective of a producer and I am trying to figure out the best way possible to market myself. I honestly wish I had the footage from some of the features I have shot to make more of just a straight up narrative reel but I have to wait until they're released. But I love your reel Naim it looks great especially the swimming shot.

Nice song choice.

I have the same questions as you.

I feel like I didn't get an MOW recently because my reel looks too crazy and dark and I realised there is only 1 shot where actors speak. At the same time, I feel like it stands out and turns heads in a sea of generic looking medium shots.

What do producers see when they look at something like this? Do they see a guy with imagination and style and assume that if they want a nice looking kitchen or living room interior we are totally capable of that too? Or do they think I'm going to shoot their talky drama with explosions or at 11mm with cartoony camera movement because that's what they see on my reel?

I cut a reel out of my favourite work which to me represents my personal style and tastes. I'd rather work on a surreal looking show than a natural looking show, but maybe I am missing out on a lot of work, money and networking because of that? I can do a nice looking living room, cafe or park, I promise!

It seems you split the difference more than I did and included a lot more conventional looking shots, but there is still an air of craziness because of all the music video stuff.

My reel: https://vimeo.com/24134988

I made a way brighter "prettier" commercial reel too because I was worried about how dark my main reel is: https://vimeo.com/71494309