After gathering experiences in the Film Industry for a while, I feel I'm fit enough to start school. Here is my Application showreel of the two stuffs I wrote and directed on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/116485515

I'm still learning and i'll appreciate all your sincere take on it...
Cheers!

Anyone?

Hiya,

It's ok'ish' but far too long for the variety of shots you have.

The first shot is the guy walking and on the train... it just goes on forever.
Then we have the girls at the cafe... and at 1.12secs you include a 'camera shake' shot that should have never made the cut... and then again they talk forever. We continue with the same two people on and on (remember it's a showreel not for us to sit down and watch the whole film).
After the couple are done you have about 4secs of black screen... that shouldn't be in there... I actually thought it had ended. You have a guy and his girlfriend for 2.52 mins... that is sooooooo long and not many people will watch a reel without variety for that amount of time as there is not really anything to keep them interested. The age we live in is so fast and most people know within 10secs if the are going to continue to watch something of this nature online or not.
Your last set of shots is the pizza delivery guy walking around someone's house... would your audience find that to be believable (even though they don't have the full context?). Oh and when you have really bad audio it's best not to include it in a reel... rather cover it all up with music. You may also consider cutting to the beat of music.

What you can do is go out a film shots that show off your skills (they don't have to be from films you've already made)... even if they are 10secs each... you'll def be able to pull 3-5 secs per shot to add to the reel... variety is KEY. For a showreel a shot of 10secs is an eternity and even more so if it is static with nothing much happening in it.

Keep on practicing and watch as many reels online as possible. Na learn we all dey learn and best of luck with your application.

Here's my old reel for starters... I really need to cut a newer and better one and make it much shorter because 3 mins even with the amount of variety is tooooo long.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYjgCc3BRbg

This guy has a pretty good YT channel.

Top 15 Mistakes Beginner Filmmakers Make

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1myw_0W5E8

VillageBoi:
Hiya,

It's ok'ish' but far too long for the variety of shots you have.

The first shot is the guy walking and on the train... it just goes on forever.
Then we have the girls at the cafe... and at 1.12secs you include a 'camera shake' shot that should have never made the cut... and then again they talk forever. We continue with the same two people on and on (remember it's a showreel not for us to sit down and watch the whole film).
After the couple are done you have about 4secs of black screen... that shouldn't be in there... I actually thought it had ended. You have a guy and his girlfriend for 2.52 mins... that is sooooooo long and not many people will watch a reel without variety for that amount of time as there is not really anything to keep them interested. The age we live in is so fast and most people know within 10secs if the are going to continue to watch something of this nature online or not.
Your last set of shots is the pizza delivery guy walking around someone's house... would your audience find that to be believable (even though they don't have the full context?). Oh and when you have really bad audio it's best not to include it in a reel... rather cover it all up with music. You may also consider cutting to the beat of music.

What you can do is go out a film shots that show off your skills (they don't have to be from films you've already made)... even if they are 10secs each... you'll def be able to pull 3-5 secs per shot to add to the reel... variety is KEY. For a showreel a shot of 10secs is an eternity and even more so if it is static with nothing much happening in it.

Keep on practicing and watch as many reels online as possible. Na learn we all dey learn and best of luck with your application.

Here's my old reel for starters... I really need to cut a newer and better one and make it much shorter because 3 mins even with the amount of variety is tooooo long.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYjgCc3BRbg

Oh my God man.... Thanks a million...
I thought no one will check on it. That's really really appreciated. I've been on set like forever, that's my first editing experience and yeah.. I sucked at it. I'll improve, I'm just waiting to get my BMPC 4K and then go out and shoot. I let it so long because the school requested me to not lay everything on music.

I let the camera shake slide because I'm applying for directing BA and well, I still have to improve.

Are you based in Nigeria?

VOfficialR:



Oh my God man.... Thanks a million...
I thought no one will check on it. That's really really appreciated. I've been on set like forever, that's my first editing experience and yeah.. I sucked at it. I'll improve, I'm just waiting to get my BMPC 4K and then go out and shoot. I let it so long because the school requested me to not lay everything on music.

I let the camera shake slide because I'm applying for directing BA and well, I still have to improve.

Are you based in Nigeria?

Hey man, you're welcome.

I'm going to quote you here and then start a bit of a convo from there - "I'm just waiting to get my BMPC 4K and then go out and shoot." Ahhhhhhh don't fall for that line of thinking. New filmmakers (and some old ones) all over the world use that line like mad... and we Nigerians suscribe to it like it's the best thing since the invention of sliced bread - EQUIPMENT will NEVER EVER make anyone a good filmmaker. (DISCLAIMER* I have never and will never say equipment is not important - it is). However, I understand what most people mean when they say that. Give a 'weak' filmmaker the latest 6K ARRI (yeah the one that they will never put on sale) and that filmmaker will still make really poor films. Give a good and 'creative' filmmaker a phone and they will shoot something pretty good.
One of the best films at SUNDANCE this year was shot entirely on the iPhone. Tangerine by Director Sean Baker was picked up by Magnolia pictures.
An interview with the director -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHRUVLOlFpE
Much more interesting stuff on their FB page - https://www.facebook.com/TangerineFilm

The very best camera in the world is the camera you have in your hand RIGHT NOW. The BMPC 4K is a very, very good camera... it's also better for 'action' than the other brilliant cameras from BlackMagic for the simple reason that it has a 'global' shutter, albeit it loses 1 stop of dynamic range.
The best advice I can give you is focus a million times more on how to be 'creative' and not what was used to shoot what - the biggest reason is that the real 'audience' doesn't care if it was shot on a 720p tool or an 8K sensor or 70mm film - they just want to be 'entertained' and not be taken for idiots. Some of the really good films in cinemas were shot on SD quality... for example '28 Days Later' was shot on Canon XL-1S - Mini-DV cameras - still a damn good film.
I don't think I have ever come across a single person that has ever complained that a 'doc' news clip that showed people running from bullets and bombs and is shaky as hell was shot on a phone - the phone of someone that was there running for their lives. We see a lot of phone footage in the news now and we still go with the 'story' being told.
At least we can all be glad that we live in the age when everything filmmaking related is accessible to the masses... definitely good times ahead.

For a first time editor you shouldn't be hard on yourself. Trust me, we ALL sucked at things we did the first few times You will get better with practice. The good thing is you know what you want to do and are taking steps towards that. You will also benefit greatly from taking your BA in Directing - a lot of 'practicals' but also very important 'theory' that will greatly expand your thinking.
No I'm not based in Nigeria but will be trooping in and out a bit more regularly. That is the place to make great films; there is so much wonderful stuff going on there and a lot of brilliant minds live there too. There are a number of them on this forum as well. Do check the TV/Movies section.

All the best with everything and do stay in touch.

VillageBoi:


Hey man, you're welcome.

I'm going to quote you here and then start a bit of a convo from there - "I'm just waiting to get my BMPC 4K and then go out and shoot." Ahhhhhhh don't fall for that line of thinking. New filmmakers (and some old ones) all over the world use that line like mad... and we Nigerians suscribe to it like it's the best thing since the invention of sliced bread - EQUIPMENT will NEVER EVER make anyone a good filmmaker. (DISCLAIMER* I have never and will never say equipment is not important - it is). However, I understand what most people mean when they say that. Give a 'weak' filmmaker the latest 6K ARRI (yeah the one that they will never put on sale) and that filmmaker will still make really poor films. Give a good and 'creative' filmmaker a phone and they will shoot something pretty good.
One of the best films at SUNDANCE this year was shot entirely on the iPhone. Tangerine by Director Sean Baker was picked up by Magnolia pictures.
An interview with the director -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHRUVLOlFpE
Much more interesting stuff on their FB page - https://www.facebook.com/TangerineFilm

The very best camera in the world is the camera you have in your hand RIGHT NOW. The BMPC 4K is a very, very good camera... it's also better for 'action' than the other brilliant cameras from BlackMagic for the simple reason that it has a 'global' shutter, albeit it loses 1 stop of dynamic range.
The best advice I can give you is focus a million times more on how to be 'creative' and not what was used to shoot what - the biggest reason is that the real 'audience' doesn't care if it was shot on a 720p tool or an 8K sensor or 70mm film - they just want to be 'entertained' and not be taken for idiots. Some of the really good films in cinemas were shot on SD quality... for example '28 Days Later' was shot on Canon XL-1S - Mini-DV cameras - still a damn good film.
I don't think I have ever come across a single person that has ever complained that a 'doc' news clip that showed people running from bullets and bombs and is shaky as hell was shot on a phone - the phone of someone that was there running for their lives. We see a lot of phone footage in the news now and we still go with the 'story' being told.
At least we can all be glad that we live in the age when everything filmmaking related is accessible to the masses... definitely good times ahead.

For a first time editor you shouldn't be hard on yourself. Trust me, we ALL sucked at things we did the first few times You will get better with practice. The good thing is you know what you want to do and are taking steps towards that. You will also benefit greatly from taking your BA in Directing - a lot of 'practicals' but also very important 'theory' that will greatly expand your thinking.
No I'm not based in Nigeria but will be trooping in and out a bit more regularly. That is the place to make great films; there is so much wonderful stuff going on there and a lot of brilliant minds live there too. There are a number of them on this forum as well. Do check the TV/Movies section.

All the best with everything and do stay in touch.

I'll still quote you write up man. Tangerine is the Sundance film called, with an Iphone 5 (New Price around 600 Euros) with a prime lenses. I'm sure you know glass that good cost over 23K Euros to buy buy new but yeah, they were borrowed. A new BMPCC 4k cost around 2500 Euro. Tokina lenses and Rokinon cost way cheaper. A lens set of 5 is around 1300 Euro.

Me wanting to get BM doesn't mean I'm waiting to have the money, I'm waiting to have the time... I have been working on Film for few years. Django Unchained(scenes in Los Angeles), St. James place (2015 Tom Hanks and Spielberg, shot in Berlin) among many others are on my CV. But you know, there is a difference between running on set, working on set and making your films...
Now back to the point, I'm starting out to edit that's why I suck... and I need time to invest in myself before starting school.

what do you and where do you live, I might be around because I move around quite a lot these days

VOfficialR:



I'll still quote you write up man. Tangerine is the Sundance film called, with an Iphone 5 (New Price around 600 Euros) with a prime lenses. I'm sure you know glass that good cost over 23K Euros to buy buy new but yeah, they were borrowed. A new BMPCC 4k cost around 2500 Euro. Tokina lenses and Rokinon cost way cheaper. A lens set of 5 is around 1300 Euro.

Me wanting to get BM doesn't mean I'm waiting to have the money, I'm waiting to have the time... I have been working on Film for few years. Django Unchained(scenes in Los Angeles), St. James place (2015 Tom Hanks and Spielberg, shot in Berlin) among many others are on my CV. But you know, there is a difference between running on set, working on set and making your films...
Now back to the point, I'm starting out to edit that's why I suck... and I need time to invest in myself before starting school.

what do you and where do you live, I might be around because I move around quite a lot these days

Actually to put it into the correct perspective the filmmakers of 'Tangerine' used a 1.33x Anamorphic Adapter that costs $160 (Moondog Labs) and the $8 FiLMiC Pro app. However, the most important thing which most people still tend to miss is "Story is King" and that alone is the most important tool one has to share with the audience. Was the iPhone the best choice available to these filmmakers? You & I both know it wasn't. Did it generate a lot of noise & buzz at the festival? Oh absolutely YES. They did this because they COULD.

As mentioned in my previous post I have not and will not ever say equipment is not a good thing... trust me I'm a filmmaking equipment junkie... if it's out there then I pretty much know about it. What I did say is equipment is NOT the most important thing rather focus on the creativity of storytelling. Think of the best accessible equipment out there and there's a ton of it in Nigeria - from RED Epics to Arri Alexas... as a nation are we yet making 'great' films? No! So equipment is NOT the saving grace.

Also don't get me wrong; I didn't say owning a BMPC 4k is a bad thing... I believe it's actually a very good thing for we Nigerian filmmakers to own some equipment as it means we can practice and produce things at any time... and that's a positive thing in that we get better and better. Of course we all have RED to thank for the last few years - if they didn't come out with a RAW shooting camera at an affordable price range many years ago then we wouldn't have new-to-the-camera-game people like BlackMagic. And in this day and age we CAN own great tools that come in at a great price point.
STORY, STORY, STORY... still remains the most important thing... if that is nailed then most other things become minor.
I'm a freelancer/wannabe filmmaker currently based in London

can u kindly educate me on how to become a producer, I want to go into musical videos... just started my photography classes tho... if there is any eBook/videos u can give I will really appreciate it...

@ Villageboi

Hey Nel, just checked you on Vimeo. I'll be in London in March.... Nice to chat if you'd have time for coffee...
Cheers!

VOfficialR:
@ Villageboi

Hey Nel, just checked you on Vimeo. I'll be in London in March.... Nice to chat if you'd have time for coffee...
Cheers!

Hey man, just sent you a message via Nairaland that will appear offline - your email inbox. Sure, def catch up in March when you're over here - it'll be warmer weather by then

jaydee87:
can u kindly educate me on how to become a producer, I want to go into musical videos... just started my photography classes tho... if there is any eBook/videos u can give I will really appreciate it...

Hey Jaydee, many of us here tend to use a number of 'terms' quite differently. Now you say you've just started photography classes - what do you actually WANT to do? Do you want to 'make' music videos or really just 'produce' on them?

Hopefully man, it's freaking cold here right now man.

VOfficialR:
Hopefully man, it's freaking cold here right now man.

Hahahaha, yes it is. Got your email.

VillageBoi:


Hey Jaydee, many of us here tend to use a number of 'terms' quite differently. Now you say you've just started photography classes - what do you actually WANT to do? Do you want to 'make' music videos or really just 'produce' on them?

I want to make music videos , reason why I started with photography is because I want to start from the scratch... shud appreciate any help..

jaydee87:

I want to make music videos , reason why I started with photography is because I want to start from the scratch... shud appreciate any help..

Your photography course is going to teach you A LOT about the basics and more - filmmaking is not really different; same principles apply - film is 'photographs' - just at 24 photos a second (in general). No idea if your course will go into the 'greats' (the simple truth is film stole a ton of ideas from photography which in turn stolen a lot of ideas from painters of old - absolutely nothing wrong in 'taking' from great ideas before you) - your two key things are 'composition' and 'lighting' - jump onto Youtube as there are a million and one FREE videos - you can basically do a whole film-school without stepping out of the house - but do step out of the house to PRACTICE - one of the most important things you can do - practice, practice, practice - also watch a ton of brilliant shorts and BTS videos and good music videos.

Check out channels like FilmRiot, Tom Antos, Indy Mogul, Slanted Lens, Neumannfilms and dozens of others. Make Google & YouTube your best friends.

VillageBoi:

Your photography course is going to teach you A LOT about the basics and more - filmmaking is not really different; same principles apply - film is 'photographs' - just at 24 photos a second (in general). No idea if your course will go into the 'greats' (the simple truth is film stole a ton of ideas from photography which in turn stolen a lot of ideas from painters of old - absolutely nothing wrong in 'taking' from great ideas before you) - your two key things are 'composition' and 'lighting' - jump onto Youtube as there are a million and one FREE videos - you can basically do a whole film-school without stepping out of the house - but do step out of the house to PRACTICE - one of the most important things you can do - practice, practice, practice - also watch a ton of brilliant shorts and BTS videos and good music videos.

Check out channels like FilmRiot, Tom Antos, Indy Mogul, Slanted Lens, Neumannfilms and dozens of others. Make Google & YouTube your best friends.

tanks a lot will focus on my photography class as u said and watch some videos too... u really good cos yesterday I learnt photography copied from painting.. tanks again

jaydee87:

tanks a lot will focus on my photography class as u said and watch some videos too... u really good cos yesterday I learnt photography copied from painting.. tanks again

You're welcome. I studied 'Film & Broadcast Production' but after that I started messing around with 'stills' photography... I can tell you for a fact that you learning photography will greatly increase your skills as a filmmaker when the time comes. You're on the right path already; keep at it.

VOfficialR:
After gathering experiences in the Film Industry for a while, I feel I'm fit enough to start school. Here is my Application showreel of the two stuffs I wrote and directed on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/116485515

I'm still learning and i'll appreciate all your sincere take on it...
Cheers!

This most be a joke

ncpat:


This most be a joke

Ncpat long time, how now? Ah no too hard nah... we all started somewhere abi?

[quote author=VillageBoi post=30638975]



diarisgodo


guys am an aspiring filmmaker based in nigeria. i have some shot i did with my phone and pls village boi i need your comment on it. film making is my passion i have a budget of around 2 million naira to invest into cameras rigs light sound etc, dunno if they ll be enough but i know its a good way to start. my video link below, thanks in anticipation




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4IsMKi7h6g

Safari29:

guys am an aspiring filmmaker based in nigeria. i have some shot i did with my phone and pls village boi i need your comment on it. film making is my passion i have a budget of around 2 million naira to invest into cameras rigs light sound etc, dunno if they ll be enough but i know its a good way to start. my video link below, thanks in anticipation

About your video; not sure what I'm supposed to say - it's a few seconds of timelapse of you making faces - that doesn't tell or show us anything to be honest. It's actually funny you did that because when I started my first camera was a Canon 450D (no video only photos; was still saving for a video camera) anyway I wanted to make a short film so I took a few thousand photographs as an experiment and did a timelapse like you but with a tiltshift style -

Don't Rock The Boat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDbHPZIElQA

N2m is about $10K abi? It can get you started and as you start earning money from this you can invest in a few more things. You'll have to figure out what kind of camera route you want to take.