1. HOW TO BUILD AN EFFECTIVE REEL
FOR VIDEO FREELANCERS

2. NOTE:

3. NOTE:
DIFFERENT TYPES OF VIDEO REELS FOR DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES OR TALENTS WITHIN THE VIDEO PRODUCTION INDUSTRY.

4. NOTE:
DIFFERENT TYPES OF VIDEO REELS FOR DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES OR TALENTS WITHIN THE VIDEO PRODUCTION INDUSTRY.
IMAGES + MUSIC DOESN’T ALWAYS WORK

5. EDITORS, DIRECTORS, ACTORS, CONTENT PRODUCERS
HAVE TO BUILD THEIR REELS DIFFERENTLY

6. EDITORS, DIRECTORS, ACTORS, CONTENT PRODUCERS
HAVE TO BUILD THEIR REELS DIFFERENTLY
IN OTHER WORDS: NO IMAGES + MUSIC

7. THE RUNDOWN

8. THE RUNDOWN PREPARING FOR THE REEL
WHY ARE YOU MAKING A REEL? / WHO’S YOUR AUDIENCE?

9. THE RUNDOWN PREPARING FOR THE REEL PARTS OF THE REEL
WHY ARE YOU MAKING A REEL? / WHO’S YOUR AUDIENCE?
PARTS OF THE REEL
INTRO: YOUR TITLE / CONTENT & SEGMENTS / CLOSING & CALL TO ACTION

10. THE RUNDOWN PREPARING FOR THE REEL PARTS OF THE REEL EXAMPLES:
WHY ARE YOU MAKING A REEL? / WHO’S YOUR AUDIENCE?
PARTS OF THE REEL
INTRO: YOUR TITLE / CONTENT & SEGMENTS / CLOSING & CALL TO ACTION
EXAMPLES:
BEFORE AND AFTER / FROM A CURRENT ONLINE STUDENT

11. PREPARING FOR THE REEL

12. PREPARING FOR THE REEL
WHY ARE YOU MAKING A REEL?

13. WHY ARE YOU MAKING A REEL?
PREPARING FOR THE REEL
WHY ARE YOU MAKING A REEL?
- TO SHOWCASE ONLY YOUR BEST RELEVANT WORK.

14. WHY ARE YOU MAKING A REEL?
PREPARING FOR THE REEL
WHY ARE YOU MAKING A REEL?
- TO SHOWCASE ONLY YOUR BEST RELEVANT WORK.
- TO ENTICE POTENTIAL CLIENTS (PRODUCERS) TO COMMISSION YOUR TALENT.

15. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE

16. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE?

17. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE?
- NETWORK EDITORS AND PRODUCERS WANTING TO COMMISSION YOUR TALENT TO PRODUCE VIDEO PIECES FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD.

18. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE?
- NETWORK EDITORS AND PRODUCERS WANTING TO COMMISSION YOUR TALENT TO PRODUCE VIDEO PIECES FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD.
- AJ+, NEW YORK POST, DISCOVERY DIGITAL, NATGEO, ETC.

19. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE?
- NETWORK EDITORS AND PRODUCERS WANTING TO COMMISSION YOUR TALENT TO PRODUCE VIDEO PIECES FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE IN THE WORLD.
- AJ+, NEW YORK POST, DISCOVERY DIGITAL, NATGEO, ETC.
- YOU HAVE TO STAND OUT AND INTEREST THEM.

20. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE

21. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE
- BE IN THE SHOES OF YOUR POTENTIAL EMPLOYER. WHAT CAN THEY SEE IN YOUR WORK THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO SEE IN THE PIECES YOU PRODUCE FOR THEM?

22. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE
- BE IN THE SHOES OF YOUR POTENTIAL EMPLOYER. WHAT CAN THEY SEE IN YOUR WORK THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO SEE IN THE PIECES YOU PRODUCE FOR THEM?
IF YOU WANT TO WORK FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPECIFICALLY, BREAKING NEWS FOOTAGE WON’T DO ANY GOOD. FIND WELL COMPOSED, BEAUTIFULLY LIT, NATURE FOOTAGE AND SHOWCASE IT.

23. UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE
THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE
- BE IN THE SHOES OF YOUR POTENTIAL EMPLOYER. WHAT CAN THEY SEE IN YOUR WORK THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO SEE IN THE PIECES YOU PRODUCE FOR THEM?
IF YOU WANT TO WORK FOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPECIFICALLY, BREAKING NEWS FOOTAGE WON’T DO ANY GOOD. FIND WELL COMPOSED, BEAUTIFULLY LIT, NATURE FOOTAGE AND SHOWCASE IT.
- STAND OUT BY THE QUALITY AND RELEVANCE OF YOUR WORK.

24. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL

25. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE INTRO

26. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE INTRO
- WHO ARE YOU? DEFINE YOURSELF, YOUR JOB TITLE, YOUR PRODUCT.

27. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE INTRO
- WHO ARE YOU? DEFINE YOURSELF, YOUR JOB TITLE, YOUR PRODUCT.
- ARE YOU A COMMERCIAL OR DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER? BE SPECIFIC

28. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE INTRO
- WHO ARE YOU? DEFINE YOURSELF, YOUR JOB TITLE, YOUR PRODUCT.
- ARE YOU A COMMERCIAL OR DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER? BE SPECIFIC
- DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER, VIDEO JOURNALIST, BRANDED CONTENT PRODUCER?
EVEN IF YOU CAN DO EVERYTHING, DON’T SELL YOURSELF AS A JACK OF ALL TRADES.

29. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE INTRO
THINK ABOUT YOUR PRODUCT

30. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE INTRO
THINK ABOUT YOUR PRODUCT
- FEATURE FILMS, BREAKING NEWS VIDEOS, BROADCAST PROFILE STORIES?

31. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT

32. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
FOCUS ON YOUR BEST WORK

33. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
FOCUS ON YOUR BEST WORK
- START WITH YOUR BEST IMAGES.

34. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
FOCUS ON YOUR BEST WORK
- START WITH YOUR BEST IMAGES.
- DON’T LEAVE “THE BEST FOR THE END” BECAUSE CHANCES ARE EDITORS OR PRODUCERS WON’T MAKE IT TO THE END OF YOUR REEL.

35. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
BE CONCISE

36. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
BE CONCISE
- THE SWEET SPOT IS ONE MINUTE.

37. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
BE CONCISE
- THE SWEET SPOT IS ONE MINUTE.
- IF NETWORK EDITORS OR PRODUCERS HAVEN’T LIKED YOUR WORK IN THE FIRST 15 SECONDS, CHANCES ARE THEY WON’T LIKE YOUR WORK AT ALL.

38. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
BRAND CREDIBILITY

39. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
BRAND CREDIBILITY
- IF YOU’VE WORKED WITH HEAVY-WEIGHT NETWORKS (NATGEO, DISCOVERY, AJ+) TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

40. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
BRAND CREDIBILITY
- IF YOU’VE WORKED WITH HEAVY-WEIGHT NETWORKS (NATGEO, DISCOVERY, AJ+) TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
- A NETWORK MIGHT THINK YOU ARE WORTH THE WHILE IF OTHER HEAVY-WEIGHTS ARE ALREADY WORKING WITH YOU.

41. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
SEGMENTS

42. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
SEGMENTS
- BREAK THE CONTENT OF YOUR REEL INTO SEGMENTS (STORIES, GENRES, PLACES, NETWORKS).

43. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
SEGMENTS
- BREAK THE CONTENT OF YOUR REEL INTO SEGMENTS (STORIES, GENRES, PLACES, NETWORKS).
- IDENTIFY ON LOWER THIRD

44. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
SEGMENTS
- BREAK THE CONTENT OF YOUR REEL INTO SEGMENTS (STORIES, GENRES, PLACES, NETWORKS).
- IDENTIFY ON LOWER THIRD
- NETWORKS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE ARE PUBLISHED VIDEOS AND NOT JUST MOCK UPS

45. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
AUDIO & SOUNDBITES

46. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
AUDIO & SOUNDBITES
- GIVE THE VIEWER (NETWORK EDITOR, PUBLISHER) A SENSE OF WHAT YOUR STORIES ARE ABOUT.

47. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
AUDIO & SOUNDBITES
- GIVE THE VIEWER (NETWORK EDITOR, PUBLISHER) A SENSE OF WHAT YOUR STORIES ARE ABOUT.
- MAKES IT DYNAMIC AND INTERESTING

48. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CONTENT
AUDIO & SOUNDBITES
- GIVE THE VIEWER (NETWORK EDITOR, PUBLISHER) A SENSE OF WHAT YOUR STORIES ARE ABOUT.
- MAKES IT DYNAMIC AND INTERESTING
- SHOWS THAT YOU ARE GOOD AT PICKING SOUNDBITES AND EDITING

49. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CLOSING

50. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CLOSING
- IDENTIFY YOURSELF

51. PARTS OF AN EFFECTIVE REEL
THE CLOSING
- IDENTIFY YOURSELF
- CALL TO ACTION / VISIT WEBSITE / REACH AT PHONE NUMBER

52. EXAMPLE

53. EXAMPLE
THE BEFORE

54. EXAMPLE
THE BEFORE
- THE FIRST CUT WAS JUMBLED UP. WITHOUT STRUCTURE.

55. EXAMPLE THE BEFORE - THE FIRST CUT WAS JUMBLED UP. WITHOUT STRUCTURE.
- NO SEGMENTS OR LOWER THIRD ID.

56. EXAMPLE
THE BEFORE
- THE FIRST CUT WAS JUMBLED UP. WITHOUT STRUCTURE OVER MUSIC.
- NO SEGMENTS OR LOWER THIRD ID.
- NO SOUNDBITES TO GIVE THE PRODUCER A SENSE OF THE STORIES.

57. EXAMPLE
THE BEFORE
- THE FIRST CUT WAS JUMBLED UP. WITHOUT STRUCTURE OVER MUSIC.
- NO SEGMENTS OR LOWER THIRD ID.
- NO SOUNDBITES TO GIVE THE PRODUCER A SENSE OF THE STORIES.
- LONG INTRO

58. EXAMPLE
THE AFTER

59. EXAMPLE
THE AFTER
- SHORT INTRO. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS SHE IDENTIFIES HERSELF.

60. EXAMPLE
THE AFTER
- SHORT INTRO. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS SHE IDENTIFIES HERSELF.
- BROKEN UP INTO SEGMENTS (GENRE, CLIENTS).

61. EXAMPLE
THE AFTER
- SHORT INTRO. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS SHE IDENTIFIES HERSELF.
- BROKEN UP INTO SEGMENTS (GENRE, CLIENTS).
- LOWER THIRDS IDENTIFYING THE SEGMENTS.

62. EXAMPLE
THE AFTER
- SHORT INTRO. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS SHE IDENTIFIES HERSELF.
- BROKEN UP INTO SEGMENTS (GENRE, CLIENTS).
- LOWER THIRDS IDENTIFYING THE SEGMENTS.
- STARTED WITH BEST IMAGES.

63. EXAMPLE
THE AFTER
- SHORT INTRO. WITHIN THE FIRST FEW SECONDS SHE IDENTIFIES HERSELF.
- BROKEN UP INTO SEGMENTS (GENRE, CLIENTS).
- LOWER THIRDS IDENTIFYING THE SEGMENTS.
- STARTED WITH BEST IMAGES.
- USED SOUNDBITES AND NATSOUND PER SEGMENT.

64. AN EFFECTIVE DEMO REEL - SUMMARY
PREPARING FOR THE REEL
WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE? SEE YOUR WORK FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE.
PARTS OF THE REEL
INTRO: YOUR TITLE / CONTENT & SEGMENTS / CLOSING & CALL TO ACTION

65.
FOR FREE WEBCASTS AND TUTORIALS DESIGNED FOR FREELANCE PRODUCERS