Showreel critique

[jameswelch]

Studio/Institution: JW
Genre: Other
Software: 3DS Max
Description:

Hi,

 

I was wondering if I could ask for some more critiques. I am attempting to put together a video that I can use to try and showcase some of my skills. I have included a link below and would really appreciate any comments on this and please be honest - I can take it.

 

https://vimeo.com/61416475

 

I don't want to use the video if you don't think it does me any favours, this is my first attempt at a showreel.

 

Thanks again

James

[Nic H]

If im being honest its not really a showreel - its 80% zooms on stills! It also isn't full frame - seems to have black borders on the edges.

 

I would render out some of these scenes in motion, just a bit of a move will do. Its also about a minute too long for the content you have - needs trimming. Even a animated focus change on a still would add some interest to some of the close ups

 

You have some nice lighting it all just needs more care, polish and a much more ruthless approach to content. Best work first!

[jameswelch]

Thank you for your comments and what you're saying makes total sense. Initially I did intend to use some camera pan renders of those interior scenes but I didn't feel they brought anything extra over the stills (plus the stills are rendered at higher quality) but I will go back and have another look at adding some camera moves.

 

In terms of stripping down the content out of the list of projects shown which do you feel don't add anything?

 

1.Kitchen interior

2.Bathroom interior

3.Study room interior

4.Landscape exterior

5.Photomontage example

6.Plane flyround

7.Wind turbine flyround

8.Vehicle render

 

Thanks again for your comments

[Fooch]

Nice start but like what nic said, it isnt a showreel. This would be better served as a still portfolio.

 

The sad bit is most people (which i do a lot these days) who review showreels, work do this:

I skip every few seconds and if something is interesting , I would stop and let it run. My opinion is everything in can be shortened up and if your strong point is stills, then keep it in stills. (pdf portfolio instead of a showreel)

 

I would be brutal and take out the work which isnt too good. Lose all the close up to CD's , Books etc. That doesnt help much

Lose wind turbine. not as good as the rest. The plane is way too long for a poly/wireframe shot. (I'm sure you want to show you can model but do bring a project to completion)

 

Not sure of the bridge psd bit as well. Its definitely not as good as the first few and the car. I would lose that or show something else.

If you modeled the car from scratch, show wireframe / poly mode to rendered. Thats a better showcase of skills than the plane spinning.

 

Do what nic said. Render the interiors in motion. A small push / pan and quick editing does a lot of wonders. We do a lot of our edits this way.

[jameswelch]

Thanks loads for your advice, i've taken on board what you've said and stripped the video right down and included a couple of camera pans. There are still some still shots but only because I haven't had chance to render anything out yet and i've kept the wind turbines in but much shorter as this shows some camera movement. Hope this is a little better?