10 May 2012 // 09:41 am // 9 Comments
Media People: Stop Using Compilation Reels
By Phil Cooke, producer, author & media expert
Okay – producers, directors, editors, camera people, and everyone else in the film, TV, or media business: Stop producing demo reels of compiled shots of your work edited to a hip, cool song. I’m not impressed, and here’s why:
– I want to know if you can tell a story. A compiled list of shots from the last 5 years of your career tells me nothing. It doesn’t show me your sense of pacing, tempo, or storytelling ability.
– I want to see how your directing, editing, or shooting fits together. Is your lighting consistent from scene to scene? What’s your shooting style? Do you approach different projects differently? Does your creative approach match the story you’re telling?
– With a compilation, I have no idea what you actually did and didn’t do. Did you design the animated titles? Which shots did you shoot, edit, or whatever? Why are there scenes from promos of major movies there? I know you didn’t do those. You may think it jazzes up the demo, but it just makes me skeptical.
A compiled demo is like an architect showing me individual bricks, windows, or doorways from different buildings he’s designed. I’m not interested in individual parts, I want to see the whole thing. Does the film, program, or commercial have symmetry? Does it work together? Does it make sense?
With Vimeo and other platforms you have the ability to show me a wider range of you work. I want to see finished – and complete – pieces. I might not view everything in it’s entirety, but I want that option.
A compiled demo reel is for amateurs who don’t have real work to show. Shooters and editors are a dime a dozen. Storytellers are much more rare.
Don’t show off to me. Move me.
An internationally known writer and speaker, Phil Cooke has produced media programming in more than 40 countries around the world. And during that time – through his company Cooke Pictures in Burbank, California – he’s helped some of the largest nonprofit organizations and leaders in the world use the media to tell their story in a changing, disrupted culture. Check out his engaging blog at www.philcooke.com
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- Filmmaking,
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May 10, 2012 // 01:59 pm // #
Does that go for actors as well?
May 10, 2012 // 02:34 pm // #
I like the sentiment! However, what about those companies that ask for a minute long reel? I suppose a clip from a scene perhaps….but even then the story in and of itself feels cheapened. Thoughts on this?
May 10, 2012 // 02:39 pm // #
Agreed. Storytelling is key. We fell into TV after my hubby illustrated a book for a kid’s show, and started producing a few cartoons/live action things ourselves, but our background is really storytelling/illustrating. Compared to writing a novel writing for TV is CAKE. Kev wrote his first book in 22 evenings, he was inspired, and it was called “a masterpiece of communication,” Kenny Loggins, Davy Jones and others volunteered to be voices of angels in our indie movie about it, and it was scouted by Hollywood and others. That only happens when you’re inspired. Kev is blessed that way.
May 10, 2012 // 03:47 pm // #
It doesn’t necessarily work for actors, because we’re not looking to see if you can tell a complete story.
BUT…
It never hurts - do your best to make it work.
An example..? Alan Alda, one year, while he was working on MASH, for a Christmas party, edited together a complete 22-minute episode of the show - with a story *that made sense* completely compiled of bloopers from over *years* of episodes.
The more you can make your reel tell a story, the more it is going to make sense to the person watching it, even if they believe they are only there to evaluate your acting style. Of course, don’t forget to make the story you are telling YOUR story - your type, your brand, your marketing - niche yourself and you’ll be all the better for it.
May 10, 2012 // 03:47 pm // #
On principle, I agree. In reality, the purpose of a sizzle reel is to make a first impression. In a social situation, think of it as making eye contact, and presenting a firm handshake, as opposed to holding up your degree, or résumé. You’re working with a limited attention span, and trying to capture interest. If you can do that, you earn the chance of giving a full presentation of your work a fair hearing.
“Don’t show me a sizzle reel” is like saying. “Don’t try to sell me a car with a chorus of barking dogs; give me technical specs!” It’s true, however, the Super Bowl audience doesn’t want to be educated, they want to be entertained. An ad that entertains in a creative and memorable way generates name brand recognition for the company, and drives people to the dealership where they can hear the technical specs. If you’re pitching to a mechanic, (or Phil Cooke) ditch the barking dogs and go straight to the specs.
The best promotional material is that which most clearly conveys your personality, and aesthetic sensibility. Everyone has different opinions on what is best, and a reel that accurately represents you will instantly click with the people who understand your perspective, and will collaborate most effectively with you.
May 10, 2012 // 03:51 pm // #
Alex, I would put as much of the story into that one minute reel as possible. Even if you have to re-write the story to make it make sense. Commercials tell complete stories in 30 and 60 second segments all the time. There’s no reason you can’t as well. If need be, make it a little longer - the truth is, most folks watching, evaluating the work, if they aren’t grabbed in the first 10 seconds, will just shut it off anyways. If your story is compelling enough, they won’t notice that it’s been too long, unless you point it out to them. So if yours is longer, at least make sure the run time isn’t listed on the DVD menu.
Then tell the best story you can in the time allotted.
May 10, 2012 // 08:15 pm // #
Thank you for this rant. Although I don’t have a large collection of my work (yet) I wouldn’t put it together as you mentioned.
I am reminded of a 6 worded story (Although not a complicated plot, no characters, etc) but covers the basics. The story: “For Sale: Baby Shoes. Never Worn”.
So it is possible to tell quick stories (just like TV Commercials; a Short story aimed at selling a product).
Taking the advice from a fellow that used to review Demo Reels for Rainmaker Studios has advised me that he has seen many of these Demo Reels you mentioned. The one that stuck out to him (and hired the artist) was a 30 second pan of a live-action train track. THEN the same pan of the track with an Animated 3D Train barreling down the line!
Why did this person get hired? well, I was told that after seeing this clip that the artist took the time to understand what Rainmaker Studios needed and tailored a Demo Reel to those specific needs (in this case a Composite work blending real life with Special FX 3D Animation).
May 11, 2012 // 12:58 pm // #
Agreed!
http://www.youtube.com/matthewdirectingreel
May 23, 2012 // 03:32 am // #
The story, the theme every thing should be the best to hold on the audience. What matter’s is the quality not duration.