First reel. Advice?

[Domenic Barbero]

Since i ordered the Scarlet and since 2012 is bringing a lot bigger clients, I decided to cut my first reel to gain more business. There are only a few shots on RED, Mostly 5d/7d stuff. But I plan on shooting tons of RED footage this year and would love some feedback on what to include in next years reel or ways to enhance. All of the shots in the reel are from jobs that were less than 1.5k total pay. So very small crew. Its usually two of us, that write, direct, produce, shoot, Run dolly and crane, and light. Sometimes just me.

Would love any advice for what kind of footage to add in next years reel or just things you guys know that looks good to potential clients.

Be kind.

http://vimeo.com/35927470

 

[Domenic Barbero]

Anyone?

 

[Jay Cline]

I think the reel looks great.

 

[Domenic Barbero]

Thanks Jay. Appreciate the kind words

 

[Brad Webb]

Very nice, and great work keeping the reel short. Nice song choice and editing as well.

just to nit pick:
I think your best stuff starts around the 1:25 mark with the models and monks. You may want to open with that, or at least move some of that to the beginning of the reel. The shot with the candles needs to be a bit longer because it's a really nice shot.

If you don't change anything it's still a great reel.

 

[Brandon J. Garcia]

Since I posted my reel on here, id thought I'd comment as well.

I thought for the most part your reel is awesome. A lot of great shots.
Your strong shots are VERY strong, awesome stuff.

I thought the weaker ones were the stuff from the doritos commercials, the kids playing, and the interviews. Although they are well composed shots, IMO they don't hold water to the stronger stuff you have in the piece. Also, the guy in the headband with the dutch angle and blue background is meh.

The stuff at the end when the music starts to breakdown, I mean .. wow. Phenomenal. Overall extremely solid and I'm jealous haha.

BG

 

[Casey David Johnson]

Wow Domenic, got some gorgeous stuff there...the beauty shots of that house at :53...with the golden sun piercing through the windows... the oar at 1:21...the sunset on the water and the truck at 1:52...beautiful work man!

Sure there might be some weaker shots interlaced with it all, but I felt that those shots just accentuate your broadened array of work, tastes, etc.

I know there are many more knowledgable guys on here than me when it comes to reel preferences, but I do know that 'the shorter the reel, the better'...and your reel sits nicely at 2 mins...maybe, at some point, you may decide what your weaker work is and extract it, yet I personally like where it sits....and, judging by the pretty work already inherent, you have plenty more future work under your sleeves to replace the weak!

But the whole point of a reel is to show what you can do and to tighten up all of your best work to convince clients that you're the guy for the job...and your reel did just that for me, and I'm sure it will for many others!

Amazing stuff Domenic! Keep it up!!

 

[Domenic Barbero]

Dang guys, Thanks for the incredible compliments. Wasn't expecting that at all. Will def take all of your advice. I def knew some shots were stronger than others, but wanted that wide array of work in there. Now that the scarlet is coming, Ill have a whole new batch of things to play with. The support here is awesome. I can feel solid about the reel now. Being that it was my first, i was a little concerned after seeing so much awesome stuff on here from other DP's. This forum is great. solid feedback and honest help. I love it.

 

[Brandon J. Garcia]

Dang guys, Thanks for the incredible compliments. Wasn't expecting that at all. Will def take all of your advice. I def knew some shots were stronger than others, but wanted that wide array of work in there. Now that the scarlet is coming, Ill have a whole new batch of things to play with. The support here is awesome. I can feel solid about the reel now. Being that it was my first, i was a little concerned after seeing so much awesome stuff on here from other DP's. This forum is great. solid feedback and honest help. I love it.

I also 'liked' it on vimeo, feel free to add me to contacts my friend.