Authoring & Self-Promotion. DVD and Showreels

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Authoring & Self-Promotion. DVD and Showreels"

Jeffrey Lloyd
5 years ago
Views:

1 Authoring & Self-Promotion DVD and Showreels

2 THE DVD -Video FORMAT - An Authored medium DVD Video is not the same as DVD ROM with video files on it. - Delivery Medium - Video, Audio and Still Image media - Interactive control - End Actions

3 DVD TYPES Recordable - DVD+R, DVD-R Re-Writable - DVD+RW, DV-RW (Not all players can play all formats) (RW formats should not be used for professional delivery) DVD Layers and Sides * DVD5 (single layer, single side) = 4.7gb approx 2hrs * DVD9 (double layer, single side) = 8.5gb approx 4hrs * DVD10 (single layer, double side) = 9.4gb approx 4.5hrs * DVD18 (double layer, double side) = 17gb approx 8hrs

4 ENCODING RESOLUTION = Standard Definition - 720x576-4:3 or 16:9 - Progressive or Interlaced CODEC = Mpeg-2 - same as HDV and Digital TV broadcast BITRATE = Up to 9.8mbps, Constant or Varible - but many players may stutter at this bitrate. Safe rate is between 6-7mbps - Constant Bitrate is more universal and better for short projects. Variable Bitrate more efficient and better for longer projects AUDIO = PCM (uncompressed), Mpeg audio, Dolby AC3 - Mpeg and AC3 audio is compressed to save space. AC3 is the preferred method for delivering 5.1 surround sound.

5 SHOWREEL TIPS Put your best material first All show reels are watched with one finger hovering over the fast forward button, your job is to so knock them out with your first set of images that they put the remote control down and sit forward to watch more closely. Forget building to a climax - you have one chance: the first 5-10 seconds, after that they will either be watching it or scanning their desks for the next reel. This is why montages are great at the start of reels - immediate and quick visuals to signal a range of work and a reason to keep watching. Track your Showreel submissions Log every reel that goes out. Note on paper or in a database what was on that reel, - when you call that client back a year later and someone says that they think they already have your reel - you'll be able to explain that while the reel they have has X, Y and Z on it - it does not have A & B - which your really keen to show them, - this will impress them as you remember exactly what you gave them so well and it will allow you to re visit and remind them of your skills and talents. If you keep an accurate history reel, you can easily make new reels- if you don't then putting a reel together can be a nightmare of lost audio tracks, half finished tests and missed opportunities. [Mike Seymour - fxguide,

6 SHOWREEL TIPS One size doesn't fit all. As a director, editor or DoP your showreel needs to not only show your skills in those roles but also how your skills match the particular jobs you're after. No single showreel serves every need. It's smart to have a bank of showreel items that you can flexibly swap in and out off a basic template. Research the recipient of your showreel - producer, agency, production company, funding organization etc.. What are they looking for? What are they most or primarily interested in? Drama, doco, visuals, narrative, conservative or edgy? When you know the answer to some of these you'll be able to select the best showreel assets you have for that viewer and that job and put them upfront. This customizing of your showreel might be as simple as re-arranging the order of films or clips or it might be an entirely different showreel altogether. In either case a showreel that knows who its audience is and plays to them will be far more effective. Contact Info The single most important part of your showreel is your name and phone number! Don't hide it away or make people look for it. It should be clearly displayed on the DVD cover and on the main panel of the DVD menu. Don't put your phone in the showreel video itself. If someone likes what they see in they will look on the cover or menu for your number.

7 SHOWREEL TIPS Keep it short and sweet The worst possible mistake you can make with a showreel is to make it too long. It is far better to have them wanting (and hopefully asking) for more than having them turn your reel off early. If your reel has a montage of clips to show cinematography or editing skills then 3-4mins is a good maximum length. If the showreel is focused on Directing then you may want to include whole short films to demonstrate narrative construction. But even here you should stick to films that are short and sweet with perhaps trailers of longer works. For Directors a montage of key scenes may also work well to convey your best work in he most efficient amount of time. Dont use Copyrighted Popular Music Resist the temptation to use your favourite pop song on your showreel. Not only is doing so a breech of copyright law, using a well known popular song can present as very amateur. Moreover if the viewer doesn't share your taste in music then you may put them off before you get a chance to impress. Also, very often viewers of your showreel will mute the soundtrack anyway so its good to aim for a showreel that works without, and doesn't rely too heavily on, the soundtrack.

8 SHOWREEL TIPS Include a Portrait Photo Dick Smith's number one tip for successful business was to use your own name and face. It worked very well for him and the same stands for your showreel. People often forget names but less often faces. It makes a lot of sense to put your face on your showreel, particularly the cover of your DVD case. Include a demo-reel breakdown Your demo reel will invariably contain extracts from a variety of productions and projects. As such you should include a breakdown that details the productions that make up the showreel. The breakdown then becomes a reference for the showreel's contents. This breakdown can be printed on the cover or included as a sub-menu on the DVD.

Page 1 of 4. Sound Editing Course Outline Duration: 5 Days

Page 1 of 4. Sound Editing Course Outline Duration: 5 Days Page 1 of 4 Sound Editing Course Outline Duration: 5 Days Audition CC Course Outline Lesson 1: Audio Interfacing Audio interface basics audio setup Windows setup Testing inputs and outputs with Audition