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How an Aspiring Filmmaker Can Create a Show-Stopping Videography Reel
If you do any sort of work with video, then the videography “reel” is familiar territory. It’s the handshake, that first impression, your portfolio…a body of work that will make people hire you. So, how can you make a highlight videography reel that stands out? Here, we will discuss the pivotal methods and tactics that are bound to make your reel more than just good: they’ll make it classic by diving into them.
Showcase Your Best Videography Work: Quality over Quantity
But as with any videography reel ever made, the crux of what makes a good frame is What goes into it. This is not the time to list out all projects ever worked on. Instead, be selective. Consider it like putting together an art exhibition: Each piece should be beautiful, but they also need to complement one another so that, as a whole, all of them help represent the breadth and depth of your skills.
Choose 10-15 clips that demonstrate your style and capability. Some of these projects can range from commercials to short films, documentaries, corporate videos, etc. We want to show flexibility but maintain cohesion. More importantly, do not forget—it is worse to bore your audience with too much content than to give them more!
As a general tip, keep each clip relatively short (10-15 seconds). When something doesn’t quite work, cut it out without pity. You want to show only your best stuff and ensure there is no second in the reel where you lose their attention.
Narrative Power: Use Stories to Connect
Just connecting bits and pieces of videos is not enough. Your reel should tell a story—an interesting, cohesive narrative that captures the audience. Not that you need an actual film with a start, middle, and finish, per se, but all your videography clips should have some form of flow or order.
Start with a strong lead—something visually compelling and/or interesting enough to catch an observer’s eye. It can then lead them through different parts of your work, smoothly transitioning from one clip to another. Close with a bang, something unforgettable that leaves viewers thinking of your reel long after watching it.
Another benefit to crafting a narrative throughout your videography reel is the ability potential clients will have to envision you can create an entire project (from beginning to end) with some sort of logical connection.
Focus on Technical Standards
Even if your shots are great, when they are all poorly post-processed or have smooth technical quality, none make the impact you want. Good graphics are required. That means good composition, no shaky footage (unless it’s a desired style choice), correct colour grading, and sound quality.
Put money in the post-production phase. Finally, consider setting aside a $500 to $2k budget for professional editing and colour correction. With these little finishing touches, your reel may go from good to great, showing the level of professionalism you take regarding acting.
Industry Standard: Ensure to polish up your reel as much as you can. Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, and DaVinci Solve are tools that the industry uses. If these tools intimidate you, think of hiring an editor to take them over. This way, they will be able to execute your particular vision in the manner it is due.
Keep It Brief: Less is More
Attention spans are short. The videography reel duration should be short and sweet, with 2–3 minutes being the perfect length. This is enough time to show off what LinkedIn videos can do for a viewer while maintaining their interest. Too long, and you might bore them; too short, and they would not be able to learn everything about your capabilities.
Keep some time back for editing. It can be time-consuming, and it may even be spread over a day or so in several-hour increments to ensure you have made the reel tighter without useless material. The pivotal to remember is that time waits for no one, so every second better count!
Update Frequently: Keep Fresh
Think of your videography reel as a living portfolio containing only your best and most recent work. Update your reel as you complete new projects. This allows you to show what you can do now and tell possible clients that you are engaged within the industry and up-to-date.
Mark your calendar to review and update (or replace) your reel every 6-12 months. While this might be hours of editing and rearranging content that will take days, updating your portfolio is worth the time.
Diversifying Your Portfolio: Another Way to Boast Being a Jack of All Trades
The posture for the client and employer is this: if you can learn as easily in new or unfamiliar contexts, great.
Add a combination of work: commercials, documentaries, music videos, corporate promos, or niche types such as drone footage and animation. The more complete your reel, the better your chance of getting those extra opportunities.
Tip: If you have particular skills that are particularly advanced, such as directing or cinematography, be sure to showcase them at the opening of your showreel. The aim is to demonstrate your expert knowledge via the selected clips.
Personal Branding: Make Your Mark. Your reel is a showcase of your work and you as well. Your personal brand, whether it’s a logo or contact information, should be on full display. This might be as simple as a branded intro and outro or a small watermark on every clip. A reel offers many chances to set the tone of your personal brand.
Are you a daring, ultramodern filmmaker, or do you specialize in producing calm, reflective films? Your reel should quickly show the kind of work you want better.
Sound Matters: Choose the Right Music. The music you choose for your reel is almost as essential as the visuals. Music can take a rather dull reel and turn it into one viewers can’t get out of their heads. The type of music you use should improve the experience of your presented material. Estimate $100 to $300 for music licensing from royalty-free services.
Epidemic Sound and Musicbed offer a variety of music selections in various genres. Consider procuring something that boosts the narrative of the story you’re attempting to tell without taking attention away from the visuals.
Make It Interactive: Engage Your Audience. Consider making it more interactive in this day and age. Websites like Vimeo and Wistia allow you to include click links to your video, including your webpage, social media pages, or a contact form. It’s called turning passive attention into active action. You can also permit the watcher to select what they want to see. Do they wish to see corporate work, short movies, or documentaries?
Summary
Let’s be honest. Putting together a solid highlight reel isn’t just jumbling some good shots. You must plan meticulously, be careful in your approach, and know what sets you apart. With your best work, amazing storytelling, and top technical quality, directors will be able to watch your reel to see if it is up their alley.
Your reel is not only your portfolio; it represents who you are creatively and technically and what style of work others might expect from you. Make it count.