help with demo reel report for school

[Jeff Carpenter]

Yes, we require them where I work and they’re very important. Even if the company didn’t require them I can’t imagine hiring someone without one.

The format doesn’t matter as long as it’s something we can view. DVD is safest for any company as I can’t imagine anyone who can’t play that somewhere.

The most important thing is that it’s made clear as to WHAT the person did in what we’re seeing. Many people have different skills and may have lit on project but edited another. There should never be any confusion over what they did at any given moment I’m watching.

After that, I mainly use reels as “proof” that the resume is correct. Anyone can write “lighting skills” on a resume, but I want to see that what THEY think of as “skills” match what I think “skills” are. Once I see that they do, I’m good to go.

Given that, their videos don’t have to match what we do. I’m looking for ability and technique. Not projects that are the same as mine.

The main lesson here is that the resume still matters most. I check demo reels AFTER I look at resumes, not the other way around.

[Paul Escandon]

>>1) are demo reels required to be submitted for new hires at your job?

Yes demo reels are required. How else are we supposed to hire an editor if we don’t know what they can do?

>>2) How crucial is a demo reel in the selection process for new hires?

It is paramount. The demo reel is the easiest way to determine what one’s capabilities are.

>>3) Do reels need to show specialized work that refers to that company or a reel that shows all past work and abilities?

Specialized work that refers to a company is not necessary, but being able to see what we put forth in the job requirements part of the job post is very important.

>>4) How long should a reel be?

I find 5 minutes is a good target to show me what you can do. It can be longer but I may not watch much past 5 minutes. It’s crucial to put your best work first.

>>5) What format should it be submitted in? (DVD, Mini DV, etc.)

DVD is the format I prefer since I can just pop it in and check it out. I’ve never had the need for anything more – although if you want to send me in HDCAM that’s fine by me.

>>6) Are online reels a possibility?

Online reels are great.

My contact info is below – and in addition to running a company my day job is as Lead Editor for Outdoor Channel.

Hope this helped you.

* * *
Paul Escandon
Producer | Director | Editor
Apple Certified Trainer – Final Cut Pro
Oremus Productions
http://www.oremusproductions.com
– –
Adjunct Professor of Media
John Paul the Great Catholic University

[Steven Gonzales]

There is also a forum on the COW which is demo reels, and you might get some good links and/or comments there.

[Shane Ross]

[Luke Pearson] “1) are demo reels required to be submitted for new hires at your job?”

Yes. Typically people are hired by people who know their work, or on the recommendation of others, but when a person is new to a company, they are asked to provide a demo reel.

[Luke Pearson] “2) How crucial is a demo reel in the selection process for new hires?”

Very. How else will the employer know what kind of work the editor is capable of? How skilled they are at telling a story? A show name on a piece of paper means little…editing is a visual medium, and needs to be seen in order to know how good someone is. Same goes for most film/TV professions: Director, Director of Photography, Actor…etc.

[Luke Pearson] “3) Do reels need to show specialized work that refers to that company or a reel that shows all past work and abilities?”

Not sure that you mean here. How can I show work that pertains to the Coka Cola company when I never worked on a Coka Cola commercial? All you can show is past work…can’t show future work. One thing you should do is make a reel designed for the type of job you are going for. If you want to land a commercial job, have a commercial reel. If you want to get a narrative show or film, have a narrative reel. Documentary reel for docs. Because if you show a Documentary reel to try to land a gig on Law & Order, that won’t show how good you are cutting a scene with actors.

[Luke Pearson] “4) How long should a reel be?”

Around 5 min. NEVER OVER 7 MIN. And show full scenes, not just a montage. Well, the montage works for some types of reels, DP, set designer, costumes. But the people hiring you want to see your editing ability…ability to tell a story. They want to see samples…full scenes, or parts of scenes. Anyone can cut a montage.

[Luke Pearson] “5) What format should it be submitted in? (DVD, Mini DV, etc.)”

Whatever the potential employer asks for. Used to be VHS, 3/4″, Beta…but now DVDs are the norm…as are reels visible on the web.

[Luke Pearson] “6) Are online reels a possibility?”

Absolutely. Mine is, as are several others. And the demo reel itself is changing. With tape based formats, you were limited to show the 5 min sample. With DVD, you can give the employer options. I now have the 5 min demo, but then have sub menus with full scenes, and often include a full show. This is just in case the employer is interested in my work and wants to see more. If not, then they can stick to the 5 min reel. But the ability to give out more that is easy to find is good.

Same with the web…I can have the 5 min reel, then samples of work. But I don’t have the 5 min reel online, interestingly…I have my open montage, then links to full scenes. And I have samples of all styles of my work: Doc, Narrative and commercial. So people can look at what they want to look at. http://www.shanerosseditor.com

Shane

Littlefrog Post

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD now for sale!
http://www.lfhd.net

[Arc Nevada]

You can get advise here but it might be wise to contact the human resources depatment at some of the post production houses in your area. They may say an A/V script is essential as well as a demo reel.

[Luke Pearson]

Thanks everyone for your help. I knew I could count on the cow.