How Long should a Video Production Demo Reel be? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > Taking Care of Business

Taking Care of Business
The pen and paper aspects of DV -- put it in writing!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old September 23rd, 2012, 08:15 PM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sacramento, California
Posts: 577
How Long should a Video Production Demo Reel be?

HI guys,

I am currently updating my demo reel and was wondering if you guys had any thoughts about how long it should be. My current one is about 1 minute long, and I was thinking of making the new one about 30 seconds long. (Keeping the best of the best!)

The reel shows film, commercials, music videos, and events in one. I am mainly focused on commercial work so the new one will have a commercial look to it.

Any thoughts appreciated!
Silas Barker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 1st, 2012, 02:18 AM   #2
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sydney.
Posts: 2,887
Re: How Long should a Video Production Demo Reel be?

It all depends on how and where you present it, eg: inviting a new client to your place just to show a 30sec demo won't make much sense.

On the other hand, emailing a 30sec demo around to clients or having it available on your website seems to be a better use.

If you're making 30sec demo productions, I'd look at making more than one original one, designed for specific new clients.
eg: research a local used car outfit, study their current spots and make better ones as demos. Same for a tourist bus company etc etc.

Today it's all about clever gimmicks, maybe tied to a client's new product release. They want to see what you'd do for them.
Listen to what they comment on, make any required changes and have a cost ready. HTH.

Cheers.
__________________
Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.
Allan Black is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 1st, 2012, 08:42 PM   #3
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta/USA
Posts: 2,515
Re: How Long should a Video Production Demo Reel be?

I would say keep it at one minute; chances are you won't be able to fit everything you need in 30 seconds.

One minute is still acceptable length even in this 21st century with drastically reduced attention span.
__________________
Ervin Farkas
www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com
Ervin Farkas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 8th, 2012, 11:17 AM   #4
Trustee
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,082
Re: How Long should a Video Production Demo Reel be?

If you're doing short-form work, just post (or show) the whole spots. Demo reels were for days when we were unable to do that. When I hire out, I want to know what you're like on an average day, not on your best day.
Mike Watson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 9th, 2012, 06:15 AM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Lakeland Florida
Posts: 690
Re: How Long should a Video Production Demo Reel be?

Like Mike says, I have a small portfolio page on my site, with a few other videos sprinkled on the other pages, and links to my YouTube Channel and Vimeo stuff.

In addition, certain clients allow me to share links to their websites and the completed works I've done for them. However, it might not be a good idea to show work you've done for a competitor of your new prospect. Then again, maybe it is a good idea. It depends on the individual prospect that you are trying to form a new business relationship with. That's the key idea, forming a new business relationship. In some ways it's like making a new friend when you were a kid. Now that I'm grown up, I still like my business relationships to be friendly. You share what you've done regarding a mutual interest. When I was a kid, if my new friend liked marbles, I brought my marbles. If he liked baseball, I brought my glove.

If my new prospective client is in the construction industry, I show some of my construction videos. If in the health care industry, some of my medical stuff. Aviation industry....you get the idea.
__________________
Roger
My YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAp...2AHr_pHFID5LDA
Roger Van Duyn is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > Taking Care of Business

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:44 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network