New HD Demo reel, all shots filmed with HPX500 at DVinfo.net

Brian Ladue · July 26th, 2009, 01:48 PM

Here's my latest demo reel, Northern Light Films HD Demo on Vimeo

Kevin Railsback · July 26th, 2009, 03:47 PM

Hey Brian,

Some nice shots but the music didn't work for me.

Also, depending on who you're marketing the demo reel to, I'd maybe cut out the couple shots cutting into the caribou.

Noah Kadner · July 26th, 2009, 08:25 PM

Yeah music trying too hard and some of the content is a bit off-putting, but that's just personal taste. On a more tech note I'd suggest renting a jib/crane/dolly for a couple of days and getting some more dynamic shots. Slow pans and close-ups are nice as part of a reel but if that's your only bag of tricks it's underwhelming. Mix it up with better shot variety and more interesting color correction. This looks almost documentary, available lighting, minimal grading in post. Also don't show us the same scene/ same shot multiple times because it looks like you have limited material to work with. I'm all over a 30 second reel that wows on every edit vs. a 2 minute + with repeated shots/filler. Keep at it.

Noah

Brian Ladue · July 27th, 2009, 12:08 PM

Thanks for the input guys! I appreciate the constructive critisizm. Cheers

Brian Ladue · July 29th, 2009, 05:17 PM

I've uploaded a new version of the Demo.

http://www.youtube.com/user/northernlightfilms

Tim Polster · July 31st, 2009, 11:39 AM

Thanks for sharing.

Nice images.

Isn't progressive shooting great!

Brian Ladue · August 3rd, 2009, 01:41 AM

Thanks! Yeah I agree, I love the look/feel of progressive footage... I'm considering changing my framerate though to 30p as opposed to 24p.

Tim Polster · August 4th, 2009, 07:49 AM

For web work, I lean towards 30p especially if there will be a lot of camera movement.

I have had good luck with shooting 702p60 and converting to 24p or 30p in post as well.

Kind of gives you more options as well as being 60i friendly.

Tim Roane · August 18th, 2009, 04:08 AM

Hey there Northerner! I'm writing from the other side of the world Down Under, and I watched your demo with great expectations: I have a HPX 300 sitting here next to me, (on loan), and I am tossing up over a 500 for 2/3 DoF and low light/noise.
I like alot of your doco shots, nice 'verite' feel, and lovely natural colours.
My only criticism, constructive, is to massively, head noddingly agree with other posters about your music choice.
It speaks the following to me: 1.Maybe this guys little brother just got a band together and a 4 track recording. 2. How does this music in any way gel with the visual content, the rhythm of the edit, or have any genre relationship? 3. Please don't take this personally, but I would even go so far as to say that if I was viewing your your reel with a view to hire you, I would not pick up the phone for fear that a person with little or no thematic sensitivity might answer the phone.
Just try a few temp tracks that go the other way: Delibes, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata etc.
All the best, and remember, counterpoint Irony has to be ironic, not just mis-matched!!!

July 26th, 2009, 01:48 PM	#1
Brian Ladue Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 149	New HD Demo reel, all shots filmed with HPX500 Here's my latest demo reel, Northern Light Films HD Demo on Vimeo

July 26th, 2009, 03:47 PM	#2
Kevin Railsback Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 1,544	Hey Brian, Some nice shots but the music didn't work for me. Also, depending on who you're marketing the demo reel to, I'd maybe cut out the couple shots cutting into the caribou. __________________ --==Kevin==-- http:naturephotostudios.com.com

July 26th, 2009, 08:25 PM	#3
Noah Kadner Better than Halle Berry Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 435	Yeah music trying too hard and some of the content is a bit off-putting, but that's just personal taste. On a more tech note I'd suggest renting a jib/crane/dolly for a couple of days and getting some more dynamic shots. Slow pans and close-ups are nice as part of a reel but if that's your only bag of tricks it's underwhelming. Mix it up with better shot variety and more interesting color correction. This looks almost documentary, available lighting, minimal grading in post. Also don't show us the same scene/ same shot multiple times because it looks like you have limited material to work with. I'm all over a 30 second reel that wows on every edit vs. a 2 minute + with repeated shots/filler. Keep at it. Noah Last edited by Noah Kadner; July 27th, 2009 at 09:26 AM.

July 29th, 2009, 05:17 PM	#5
Brian Ladue Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 149	I've uploaded a new version of the Demo. http://www.youtube.com/user/northernlightfilms Last edited by Brian Ladue; July 29th, 2009 at 08:09 PM.

July 27th, 2009, 12:08 PM	#4
Brian Ladue Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 149	Thanks for the input guys! I appreciate the constructive critisizm. Cheers

July 31st, 2009, 11:39 AM	#6
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	Thanks for sharing. Nice images. Isn't progressive shooting great!

August 3rd, 2009, 01:41 AM	#7
Brian Ladue Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 149	Thanks! Yeah I agree, I love the look/feel of progressive footage... I'm considering changing my framerate though to 30p as opposed to 24p.

August 4th, 2009, 07:49 AM	#8
Tim Polster Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 2,231	For web work, I lean towards 30p especially if there will be a lot of camera movement. I have had good luck with shooting 702p60 and converting to 24p or 30p in post as well. Kind of gives you more options as well as being 60i friendly.

August 18th, 2009, 04:08 AM	#9
Tim Roane Tourist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 1	Hey there Northerner! I'm writing from the other side of the world Down Under, and I watched your demo with great expectations: I have a HPX 300 sitting here next to me, (on loan), and I am tossing up over a 500 for 2/3 DoF and low light/noise. I like alot of your doco shots, nice 'verite' feel, and lovely natural colours. My only criticism, constructive, is to massively, head noddingly agree with other posters about your music choice. It speaks the following to me: 1.Maybe this guys little brother just got a band together and a 4 track recording. 2. How does this music in any way gel with the visual content, the rhythm of the edit, or have any genre relationship? 3. Please don't take this personally, but I would even go so far as to say that if I was viewing your your reel with a view to hire you, I would not pick up the phone for fear that a person with little or no thematic sensitivity might answer the phone. Just try a few temp tracks that go the other way: Delibes, Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata etc. All the best, and remember, counterpoint Irony has to be ironic, not just mis-matched!!!