Documenting the process of creating my showreel.

1. ShowReel Production

2. Draft 1:

3. Before I can make a start, I must gain access to my previous projects as
I only have one video product ready on my device. Heading over to
YouTube, the links to each official video I have worked on are then
being pasted onto an mp3 converter website allowing me to have them
downloaded onto my desktop.
Having all of the required footage now, my next thing to do is find an
audio track. Allowing me to fit the video with the backtrack, I will need
to find the music before making a start on the editing.
Finding ‘musicbed’, a website providing the license to any song you’re
after.

4. Making an account on the site I will be having a look through to find if there are any
tracks I would like to use for m showreel.
Browsing through the ‘cinematic’ and ‘pop’ genre, instrumental only, I have so far
found one demo I quite like and would work for the showreel.
But the only issue I have with using this is the breathing. I enjoy the beat, but the
breathing snippets placed throughout causes an anxious feeling which works more
for a horror title.
Going with one titled ‘Walkabout’, downloading it I only had the option to
either use a watermarked version, or purchase it for close to a hundred
dollars. Something I probably should have expected to come up but
didn’t.
Having a go with the watermarked version, a voice would say ‘musicbed’
every few seconds during the playthrough. Scrapping that I will have to
look elsewhere.

5. Going back to a website I haven’t used in a while, forgot about even, ‘Pixabay’. Offering uncopyrighted music and
footage for free, I know I won’t be wasting my time with this site.
Looking for an upbeat track, or even just one with a nice rhythm that could work, I will be going with the
complimentary technique as I don’t really have enough footage to go the opposite way. That way as well, I can edit the
footage to the beat of the music. Same with bookending the reel, I am going to need the audio to play all throughout
the reel with zero dialogue to go over it.
With some more searching, I have now found the track I
will be using. My only concern is like I said with not
having much footage, I wont be able to do as much.

6. Inserting the audio right away, I have also added the video products I have as of now to the media pool. Only having
five, it is probably going to be difficult not having much to work with, but it is what it is I suppose.
As for what I have, is a video advertisement promoting Canon, one for the charity mind, a documentary on the film
industry, a music video for a flash mob and a short film I had made at a film group. I did have the Western Stand-off
project, but because of the quality from using an app that has watermarked the product there isn't any point in
including it.
With the audio being 1 minute and 25
seconds (snipped from an extra three), a
dissolve cross-face –3 has been placed at
the end of the audio preventing the reel
from ending on a choppy note.
Not going to bother with the opening just yet, a snip has been made three seconds into the audio so I know where
to start inserting the footage. Placing it where a change in the track is made to sync the footage up to it, I will just
have to be careful when it comes to fitting the opening sequence in.
From the variety of footage to go off of, the first one I will be editing in is the mind advertisement. Skimming
through it, two sections have been snipped. The first being of the girl clearly stressing over work, with the second
being the guy playing football. With not watching these in a while and creating them so long ago, it is difficult to
avoid the horrible camerawork but it's all I have.

7. Editing in the girl clip first, I have
managed to edit the shot change in
beat with the audio right before the
scene transition which I am very
pleased with.
Doing the same to the football
shots, I can already tell this going to
be one of those "trust the process"
moments as it is somewhat difficult
to tell whether the cuts are 100% on
beat and doesn't look messy.
Moving onto the next upload, I have just realised that dialogue will be needed considering I
have a documentary that needs the context. With that, I can also use some of the audio for
the short film, so I have more than one clip with original audio.
Watching through the documentary, I can't seem to find anything that would fit with the
showreel. So, for now, I have decided to cut it from the production. I might go back to it, but
I don't think that will happen.

8. Going with the flash mob video instead next,
three of the establishing shots were used to
introduce the new project, adjusting in shot to
the beat still.
For the next bit I had switched the shot to one I had filmed leading
up to the head turn transition edited. Planning to change the shot
again before moving onto the next video, I ended up watching what
dance was done next and found the dancers to move on beat to the
track. Snipping only a little between the two clips I am not going to
move onto the ghost short film.
Debating on the use of dialogue, I have decided I am going to pass
on that idea as I don't really want to include it, plus wouldn't fit with
how I am editing the footage.
For the first scene from the short, I have decided to start off with a
dirty shot that I had suggested to the director whilst filming this
scene.

9. Keeping it going with the shot change on beat, for
the second beat in that sequence I had noticed the
clip of the kid moving the torch along from the
right statue to the left was done in beat. Keeping
that, a scene revealing the kids doing the Ouija
board will be inserted.
Using up the ghost story now, I am left with two more videos. The
canon advertisement and the documentary, unsure of how to use
either, I have had a watch through the canon one looking for a nice clip
I could use.
Choosing to use the sparkler shots, there is no other part of the video
I would like to include. But saying that means I am out of footage.
Going to have one more look over the documentary, hopefully I will
find something this time around.
Another bonus to using this clip though, the previous one ends with a
black screen whereas this one begins with the same frame.
A final point about this clip, when the sparkler is pointed at the
camera and the clip ends. Thinking about a relevant ending I quite like
the way the clip adds to the ending of the reel.

10. With a disappointing, twenty-four seconds long product, half of
the audio has been cut to the length of the footage. Having to
keep the very last few seconds though, that has been stitched to
the end of the sequence keeping the smooth finish.
Having all of the footage that I can include from my final product's;
I am going to have to leave this as it is. All I need to do now is add
the title cards.
Adding the title, right away I have changed to
the font to fit with my logo and business card.
Going over to 'Fotor
Editor', I have taken the
logo design to fit it into a
circle shape as that would
fit more into the card that
a square does.

11. Adding a border onto this just doesn't seem to be working. With
the Fotor Editor not giving the option I have tried using Canva and
PowerPoint itself. I don't have the option but to have to have a
shadow underneath the PowerPoint version, whereas there is no
option but to take a shape on Canva and to layer it underneath the
image. Doing this though, I can't remove the white around the
PNG. Mentioning that, if Canva were to work it seems that I will
need to go through the additional effort of removing the
background once again.
Shaping it into place on Canva, I
will now go from there.
Downloading the image, I have
found that still having access to
the canva pro additions, the
option was there to have a
background transparent. Saving
me from anymore messing
around.

12. Next up, the contact details.
For that, I had decided to stick with a
phone number, email and website
link. Since I don't post my work on
social media there isn't any point in
doing that. But with the details there
I am still easy to reach.
The final bit to work on now, is the opening sequence. Liking the idea
of using a clip to introduce myself alongside the reel, for now I will
stick with using a title card. Similar to the end sequence, but without
the contact details.
Attempting to use the same font as the contact details for the
showreel part, it looks very out of place but I don't want to reuse the
Reenie Beanie font so another search will be needed.
Switching the font, as difficult as it is to tell, italic was then added
to the text making it fit in more.
Uploaded onto my blog now, a start on the next draft will be made.

13. Draft 2:

14. Thinking about the footage from video products I have, what if I edit in
some clips that I filmed but never edited? That would help expand the
reel enough.
Downloading 190 clips from a barbering competition I helped film, I will
be going through and selecting a few clips to use in the reel.
Looking at the other files I have, I've managed to find a 360 video
which I forgot all about. Luckily now I have an additional video I can
include.
Sticking with that, I will be re-editing the whole reel. Keeping the mind clips as my first set, I
would like to extend the football clip
slightly keeping to the beat of the audio.
Only expanding the scene of the ball
being kicked ending midway of the
shot panning to the right, it would be
good to transition the next scene
continuing with that swipe.

15. Using the 'Pan to Right' video transition between the
football and dance shots, I will be leaving it for now
to give it a chance as I can't tell myself if it looks to
messy or not.
With the establishing shots, one of the three has
been removed to fit in more with the beat with the
two still in use being expanded still being long
enough.
Taking a second out of the second dance sequence,
that again has been able to fit right back an as if no
adjustments had been made.
Focusing some more on the second half of the music
video clips, the shot of the heads turning was cut out
expanding on the dance part keeping how in sync it is
with the music.
After making a few more adjustments to each of the
clips, I am now ready to move on. For the next set I
believe I will be going with the 360 video.

16. Snipping out the favourite shots, it
was slightly harder editing this
video in, but I think I've got it now. I
quite like the smooth end to it though
viewing the snowy atmosphere.
Trying to look through the barbering footage, I'm not sure why but for some reason the files are wanting to be
difficult. Having them all downloaded, they won't go on to the editing software and when trying to watch them
I am being taken to a link rather than having the actual footage. I will skip over that as with the few clips I have
watched through, I don't really like the result of them with some being shaky.
Adding a slide up transition, with the next shot slightly moving down an angle it adds
to the transition of the snowy atmosphere moving down to the cast of the children.
Not having to make much adjustment to the clips, the man change that was made as
an extension of the ghost reveal and the glass being flung from the Ouija board. By
doing so, it fits more with the audio as well as gives a little more to the audience which
I am happy with.

17. With a drop in the audio right
after the short ghost film
section, I am having to snip a
few seconds out of the audio as
it would have only worked if
the end sequence was coming
up. But with one more video to
edit in the drop isn't going to
work. Although there is still a
change after the drop but it will
have to do.
Not sure if it's just me thinking this,
but even with the adjustment in
audio, the added dramatic effect
doesn't really help the reel. Maybe it's
a build up to the finale but I'm just
trying to think of it how someone
coming across the reel would think of
it.
Changing the length of each clip
slightly to keep it more in rhythm,
due to the events of the last shot
right before the end title card I
suppose it works? Just I will need a
second opinion on this.
But with an okay draft, I will be
exporting this one to then make a
start on a third draft.

18. Draft 3:

19. After snipping a second or so off of the final title card,
and idea came to mind based off of the award winning
showreel I had watched through for the research. His
company's name was placed at the bottom right
throughout the video. So that is what I am trying out
now.
Struggling to place it with the frame automatically
lining the title up, the size has been reduced to 30 so
really it's not that bad.
Keeping it going with the 'Reenie
Beanie' font, after adding it the text
did start to look a lot smaller but you
can still read it without it being in the
way so there is a debate on keeping
it.
Although... looking at the whole
frame the text is more
unreadable than I had thought.
And I don't really like the
placement with how far out it is.
Sliding it along to the right and down
a touch I am much happier with the
placement as well as the size, even
with only expanding it by and extra
ten.

20. Shortening the duration of the text, it had
been removed from the title card sequences
as it appeared like an unnecessary addition.
As for anymore changes, I will be leaving it as
it is as I am happy with how it is with not
sticking out too much but still noticeable.
The main change I am wanting to make now is the title cards.
Thinking about the opening one first, I would like to switch that out
to be a clip instead that has something to do with me on camera,
as much as I hate being on camera but where is the harm in doing
so for the reel.
Although, by doing that that could hint towards a skill in acting
which I do not have nor would want to have.
Maybe using my business card would be a good idea? Considering I
have gone with a two sided one, the video could start off revealing
the front side of the design with the finale ending with the back of
the card that has the contact details on.
Trying just that, I think the first
one is alright, it just needs the
subtitle 'showreel' on it. Whereas
the contact page looked better
having the production name and
logo.

21. Going back to 'Canva' once again, a duplicate of the front side
was made only with the addition of the contact details.
Although I did try making it different at first, nothing seemed
to have been working so the original design it had to be.
Then with the placement of the contact details, the attempt
of lining it up with the bottom line was made but going
above there was just no space. Then going below, the main
title seemed to have too much space with the contact details
being in a tight spot. Moving them down a touch, a better
result is given.

22. Uploading that page onto the draft, an idea has struck for the opening title.
Separating the original title card into three, one
being the background on its own, the second
being the "light" shape and finally one being the
actual title and logo, a small animation is now in
the works.
I did make a slight mistake making the last file
though forgetting to remove the contact details
for the introduction. Hence why in upcoming
screenshots the '(3)' is now a '(4)'.
Taking a few attempts, I'm still not
there with it. The first two
movements made are quite good
if I do say so myself, but with the
speed it results a lot better.
Getting into the next few frames
though the movement slows down
getting worse.
Fixing it up, I am at a place with the draft where I am happy to leave it as it is.
Going to share it between some selected people now to get their feedback,
the final outcome will be patched up straight after.

23. Final Outcome

24. Sending the reel to a total of eleven people, I am now on waiting for each of their responses before I can go ahead and add on the finishing
touches to the reel. Rather than creating a survey to get the responses, three simple questions were asked as that was all I needed. "What do
you like about it? What do you dislike about it? And what you would improve?"
Jasmine: "That was incredible, I would not improve anything as it is amazing. The editing skills and transitions you have used were perfect for
the showreel." With nothing I can take for improvement there, I am glad to hear that my reel has done well for some.
Roger: "I liked that it had fire in it and disliked that I had no clue what it was about, and I would improve it with a title." Completely forgetting
the title, that will be prioritized when I get back to the editing.
Emily: "Music is upbeat and the light brings focus to the logo, the clips could have been tied to the beat a bit better and I would have added
the names of the clips in the bottom somewhere" As she states here, the clips are needing to be adjusted better with the additional of names
for each videos used.
Richard: "I liked the pacing and the flow of the showreel, and the music paired with it has a great beat that matches the pacing. There isn't
anything I can say that I dislike about nor anything that needs changing to improve it" With more complimentary content, again there isn't
anything here that I can go off of to improve the reel.
Liam: "Really like the effects on the logo at the start, reminds me of theatre curtains. Don't really dislike any, maybe change the music to
reflect and I guess compliment what's being shown." With the suggested change being about the music, I will be leaving that as you obviously
can't please everybody whereas no one else has made a comment on the that.
Jaycie: "I like how it matches in with the music. I don't like some of the like switches like the umm... like going on top the next slides? That's
only some of them. And Keilan with the sparkler is very very very frustrating to watch. Overall improvement I'd say.. Keilan's sparklers work
and maybes not have raindrops on the camera If inevitable, but I know that's probably the effect u maybes wanted idk." With some people
loving the transitions again I don't really want to switch that up based on one person's response compared to the others. The sparkler clips I
understand as they are a bit out of tune. Whereas the raindrop part I can't really do much about as that is the actual clip.

25. The first thing I had decided to get on with
was syncing the clips to the beat better.
Getting up to the flashmob sequence, one clip
had been removed (being the one I had
filmed) keeping in an extended version of the
other two clips that were already inserted.
That way, those watching can get a better
view of what is going on.
With one more adjustment being during the
360 footage, I believe that is all of the clips
synced perfectly fine now.
Trying now to add the subheading
to tell the viewers what they are
watching, there doesn't seem to be
any space I can fit the text into.

26. Still stuck on the placement, I went ahead and toned
the colour down on the text having it match more
with the actual title.
Going beneath, I have showed the two placement ideas
to two of the participants of the feedback. With a
positive comment on the second placement from both,
I will be sticking with that one.
Trying out the idea of
adding titles for each
video, it hasn't
resulted as bad as I
imagined it to be so
will be keeping it like
this.
Unsure of what I could do exactly with the
sparkler scene, I ended up slowing the speed
down and I'd like to believe it has resulted better.

27. Only hearing back from six of the eleven people the reel had been sent to, that is my final outcome officially ready.