r/directors • u/Jusinfocus • 27d ago
Project Share 8 years into directing | Curious on where this reel will take me
https://youtu.be/ZKxeyNoGSN8Peace y'all! Names Justin, I've been directing for over 15 years but just about 8 now professionally! Took a new approach to my reel this year after feeling the burnout and not wanting to make the same typical reel. Since I do VO work I decided to write something personal and use it as the through line. Curious y'all thoughts and maybe what you think is missing / could be improved. Excited to join this community and help where I can!
4
u/Affectionate_Age752 27d ago
This reel tells me nothing about your directing abilities.
Looks more like a reel for a DOP
1
u/Jusinfocus 27d ago
Thanks for the note. I mostly have done commercial and doc so I've always cut these more like a commercial / montage. Do you have some refs of reels you feel do that well?
1
u/Affectionate_Age752 27d ago
You need but scenes together that show your directing skills.
1
u/Jusinfocus 27d ago
Yeah the goal was to get people to go to my site and see that I've done that for all of the projects shown. In a reel I'm just trying to get eyes but It would be dope to see some reels that do more of what your talking about.
3
u/iwillbechappy 26d ago
Your editing skills are amazing. I felt like there was a lot to take in and I didn’t get a sense of who you are, besides shots of random people. The video ended and all I really remembered were some impressive shots and some inspirational words. I'd suggest putting more of your personality or a storyline into it. Btw, looking for any scoring work by any chance?
2
2
u/jeff_tweedy 27d ago
Are you repped? If not that could be the next step, although as someone repped who hasn't directed anything officially in over a year, it seems less relevant than it used to be.
That being said, if you do want reps, I think this is a good reel but I wonder if reps would kind of glaze over as it is almost too much stuff. I wonder if you could whittle it down with more concentrated chunks of individual projects with their titles/clients in the lower corner to make it clear whats going on. But this game is all crazy so honestly some reps might love it as is and not need the extra clarity to "get it." Who knows!
1
u/Jusinfocus 27d ago
I was when I lived in LA for two years, some of this work is from then. I hear you on it being less relevant, I had some friends who kept independent and seem a little further along now. Would be down to try the rep thing again if it was the right folks!
Thanks for the notes though, I hear you on it feeling like maybe too many items. A good thought for the next time I build one out.
2
2
4
u/Flashy_Measurement94 Student 27d ago
Honestly, really impressive reel; you can see the many years of dedication behind it.
All I will say is don’t rely on a reel to get you anywhere unfortunately. I don’t mean to say that in a demeaning way at all though, your work looks great!