Hi Everyone ~

Would love to know your thoughts/suggestions/critiques for my reel. I know it's a little on the long side so I'm trying to figure out what to trim or remove entirely. TT, I know you talk about doing clips instead of a reel and I'm considering that as well - would love to know which clips you think should be used. I appreciate everyone's feedback! Here's the link:

http://youtu.be/e0fP4LFaEnI

Thanks!

I would add some kind of an intro with headshot, but I'm guessing you're meaning to add that later.

0:48-1:45 has no reaction shots so that makes it look like it was recorded just for your reel.

0:17-0:47 breaks the 180 rule, which to me is kind of distracting and makes me question what kind of production it was for them to not notice.

1:45-2:12 is more focused on the guy so I wouldn't use that.

mb,
Here are a few of my thoughts:
1. As SWong said, I'm sure you're adding an intro/outro with your headshot/contact info. I'd do a 5-7 second lead in, and 3-5 outro.
2. Reels today should be 2-3 minutes, based on LA standards. If someone can't get YOU in that time, they won't in 3+, so you're getting to the long side.
3. I like the material overall, and your 'brand' as the office busy body, meddling wife, small town gal...there's a lot of work for that, but I think the current footage, length, and order, isn't working the BEST for you.
4. Lead in clip in the office: 48 seconds, it's long, and there's moments you could trim to actually make it better. Meaning, a professional editor could tighten up about 10 seconds of it with cut aways and reactions to reduce the time on other actors and increase the focus on you. It's a good clip.
5. The kitchen scene is too long, it's shot poorly with a weird over the shoulder angle, and well, we know what's going on...So, I'd actually begin the scene after your turn away and turn back to your friend. Same amount of meat and emotion, less time invested.
6. The scene of the couple: Isn't focused on you, isn't needed.
7. The next scene with you answering the door...isn't great, but still gives us a sense of you.
8. Last clip to me is just odd. Not sure why I think that.

What I'd do, potentially, is see how it looks if perhaps you split the office scene into two clips...lead in with your mean attack of the janitor, transition into the kitchen scene, and the others you like, and then FINISH with the office scene again, but this time with your co-worker who doesn't really like you. It brings it full circle and offers the industry watching the reel the chance to go "yes, yes, every office has this busy body, know it all, gettin' in your face sort of lady" and I think that could work in your favor.

best of luck.

3-5 second outro? No one usually gets to the end so why waste time with that.

I also think intros are stupid too. Just cut to friggin' chase. If you're going to have a reel, you'll either put reel URL link in the body of an email or at the bottom of your resume so there is NO need for an intro with contact info because the contact info will either be in the email or on your resume.

Hey Truth ~

I appreciate your thoughts/suggestions. As I said in my original post, I know that you think clips are better to have than a reel, so I'd love to know which clips you would suggest I use.

Clip 1: Beginning-:17

Clip 2: :21 ("can you believe that janitor...") -:46("see you later")

Clip 3: 2:13 ("we're going to have to move")-2:28

And if you're going to make a reel, this order and then everything else.

Thanks Truth! I appreciate it

Good job!

Aw, thanks Madiitown!