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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

demo reels

Mark Allen said:
I think direct is the best way to respond to things, so here goes:

The bathroom scene and maybe the film shot beach things is your reel. Get rid of everything else - especially the stuff that looks like a home movie.

Don't mix DoP with grip stuff. Your grip stuff didn't show complex moves... Your dolly shot showed no dolly moving and the camera was wobbling - so that's definitely not something to show. :)

Hope that helps. Shoot more stuff like the bathroom scene and build from there. We look for how things are lit and composed when looking at DP reels. For operators we look at precision.
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agreed, would you check my reel out and be harsh!
 
Chris Kennedy said:
It's primarily my DP reel with a tad bit of compositing. I have a separate director's reel. Here in Florida & with the economy down here the market mostly is a "one man band" where you have to know & do a little bit of everything... And it seems to be getting worse-less and less of budgets to work with, smaller crews, and flaky clients.
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I understand the one-man-band thing Chris. I direct and write, edit, DoP etc etc with more and more frequency. I'd say on around 90% of my jobs I'm Director/DoP these days - way too much. It gets quite embarrassing when a client is viewing my directors reel and they ask who the DoP was or the editor was on a particular job. Hope the economy picks up for you - and everyone else.
 
Aaron Champion said:
agreed, would you check my reel out and be harsh!
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okay sure... and just fyi I talk to my friends like this too. Which is why I probably don't have many friends, but the ones I ahve know they can trust me. :)

I watched this: http://www.zogreo.com.php5-14.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/?p=59


First shot has got to go 'cause it looks like home video and makes me wonder why you didn't set shots and make it look epic since everyone is in costume.

:13 Not sure what is being shown off here. It's REALLY saturated and out of context that seems almost like a mistake.

:29 I really wish she was in focus or the camera was sharper 'cause so far this is the first real shot on your reel.

:30 Okay here's the first shot on your reel only it's totally on it's own where are the other shots like this? It's lighting is seems standard, but like something you'd see on TV enough to see like it was lit, but I need to see the next shotor two in the same room.

:36 Too blurry for a reel.

:41 This is your most interesting lighting on your reel so far, best shot so far. I'm so-so with the fighting footage, I think you might want to pump up the contrast - expand the mids so it reads better. Remember it's out of context on your reel.... It might not be how I'd shoot it, but it looks like some choices were made. Closeup with gun and explosion is best of the action section.

01:02 Some indie producers might like this sequence.

01:17 First two shots of this are interesting but don't sell you as a DP

01:21 put this shot with your TV lighting shot from before.

01:26 this section is a bit reality tv, but it's not bad - the shot where the title comes in is the weakest and I might skip that.

banjo and band stuff is just okay - not selling you but for a local market might make them think "oh he knows how to shoot music stuff."

01:51 Best shot on your reel so far - start with this to set the tone. It's good. The rest of that sequence is okay, i'd shorten the shots

the next singer the lighting feels over lit - too many lights on him violinist is okay and guy after violin is an interesting shot with him intensely playing. again - not bad for local band stuff probably 02.34 that's a good shot - best of this bunch

Last couple shots are okay.
 
The reel I used to get a job/internship towards the end of film school in 2008:
http://www.vimeo.com/4873867

I've really got to cut another one sometime soon focusing more on my DP work and with all new stuff... would love to hear what anyone thinks would be strong enough to carry over from my '08 reel
 
Mark Allen said:
Peter - very cool you shot Bjork. She's really a unique and interesting artist.
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Five years ago I shot a feature mostly in Japan with Bjork. She was great to work with, hard working and nothing seemed to ruffle her feathers. She is an amazing person.
 
Ricky,

Great reel. It's full of really rich colors and interesting people. I would say that even though just about every shot was really pretty, you have a lot of the same shots (the kids looking into the lens). I would cut some of those, but other than that, strong reel man. Good work.

Cheers!
Peter Mosiman
 
Mark Allen said:
I think direct is the best way to respond to things, so here goes:

The bathroom scene and maybe the film shot beach things is your reel. Get rid of everything else - especially the stuff that looks like a home movie.

Don't mix DoP with grip stuff. Your grip stuff didn't show complex moves... Your dolly shot showed no dolly moving and the camera was wobbling - so that's definitely not something to show. :)

Hope that helps. Shoot more stuff like the bathroom scene and build from there. We look for how things are lit and composed when looking at DP reels. For operators we look at precision.
Click to expand...

I 100% agree with you on this Mark. Well put.
 
Peter Mosiman said:
Ricky,

Great reel. It's full of really rich colors and interesting people. I would say that even though just about every shot was really pretty, you have a lot of the same shots (the kids looking into the lens). I would cut some of those, but other than that, strong reel man. Good work.

Cheers!
Peter Mosiman
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Thank you Peter, that is very helpful and appreciated!
 
Lovely shots, framing and use of natural light.

Just some minor points (and you'll likely find many people with the exact opposite reaction):

- I'd seperate the documentary and drama shots.
- At 1:51 you cut in the middle of a camera whip; I'd cut a few frames earlier
- I'd make the reel a bit shorter, dropping a few of the (lovely) African children in low sun shots
- Fantastic last shot
- I'd lose your name in the beginning of the reel. At that point the viewer is interested in your reel, not your name ;) Good to have it at the end.

And the reel shows, yes some cameras have imperfections, but in the end the story and the eye of the cinematographer count most.
 
Martin Weiss said:
Lovely shots, framing and use of natural light.

Just some minor points (and you'll likely find many people with the exact opposite reaction):

- I'd seperate the documentary and drama shots.
- At 1:51 you cut in the middle of a camera whip; I'd cut a few frames earlier
- I'd make the reel a bit shorter, dropping a few of the (lovely) African children in low sun shots
- Fantastic last shot
- I'd lose your name in the beginning of the reel. At that point the viewer is interested in your reel, not your name ;) Good to have it at the end.

And the reel shows, yes some cameras have imperfections, but in the end the story and the eye of the cinematographer count most.
Click to expand...

That is also very helpful and much appreciated. Thank you.
 
Hey Guys,

been reading reduser for along time, but never posted, going to get a bit more involved this year!

heres my new showreel has a couple of things shot on Red , some feedback would be great!

http://vimeo.com/18706644
 
adypeckitt said:
Hey Guys,
been reading reduser for along time, but never posted, going to get a bit more involved this year!
heres my new showreel has a couple of things shot on Red , some feedback would be great!
http://vimeo.com/18706644
Click to expand...

Overall there are some winning shots, but you have got to cut out the crappy ones (which are only a few) where the light is blown out in a bad way.

But seems like you're on a good path for the most part.

Some specifics:

Is there a drop to black in that opening shot? Really annoying.

0:11 - girl with pole - love it.
0.14 - really dark
0.22 - card hands - why bother with this? these poker shots (there are more later are a mixed bunch seems the close ups are suffering and frankly it looks like all of them were saved by filters.
0.25 - This has got to go - his hand is tuned yellow pure yellow... why is this here? get rid of this and anything like this - there are a few - this is what I was referring to initially
black and white waitress is nice - but wish I could see some direct cutting to see how that cuts with other shots in the scene.
00.34 don't feel like this rap section is reall doing anything positive
00.48 another shot that has to go
00.57 I have to say normally a twirling hoola hoop girl on a reel is going to be the worst shot - but this thing looks great. excellent lighting and colors so kudos one of the best moments on the reel
01.07 - another not good lighting shot - cheeck is blowing out too much

You get the sense of my notes, going to stop here.

overall pretty good though.
 
thanks for the feedback Mark much appreciated, will look into all your points!

I think I need to be a bit more ruthless with my own work, ive learned alot since the shots with the blown out highlights but cant really let go because there shots i really enjoyed at the time!
 
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