What are people's opinions on Reel times?

[jasont028]

Hey guys I'm interested to know what people's experiences are with lengths of reel's. What they believe to be too long and what is to be too short? Creating my reel at the moment and it will most likely go for about 2-4 mins. Any thoughts?

[ross_coe]

Hi Jason

I think that about 2 minutes is the perfect length for a showreel. If you make it too long you run the risk of boring the people watching it. So 2 minutes should give you enough time to show a decent amount of your best work.
Also, make sure to put the best stuff at the front. I think a lot of potentially good reels are binned because the good stuff was at the end....and the person watching doesn't want to sit thru a minute and a half of average work before getting to the good stuff. Just make sure you grab their attention as quickly as you can :)

Hope this helps :) cheers

[Black]

You HAVE a point there Ross;

But let me point out a small thing that we should keep in mind:

Like when you go and watch a play or a preformance.. if the finale literally sucks, or is a dear bit lame.. the whole performance nearly goes to the bin.

You are VERY right to insist that you have to catch the attention as fast as you may... but it is the LAST picture there that literlly sticks to the mind with the final impression.
So I think it would be a struggle of presenting the best stuf to begin with.. but to find a way to stick to a quality in your goodbyes...

Two minutes? Mmm... Yes I think I would have to agree with that. It seems like a good time.
You see this is the part you have to be VERY honest to yourself; and really judge your work. If they are not really that good. I would say 2 mins may be even too long. But if you are at least at a novice level, it would be a good duration.
And once again, if it is only 2D images that you are constantly zooming in and out of... do NOT do a real of it. A variaty of slide projection softwares are out there. Prepare something such you would be MUCH better off. I can not count to you how many I have witnessed be thrown aside in the tenth second.

[jasont028]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am trying to go with one continuous animation as opposed to a number of short animations which I will admit has taken a while. I know this is not orthodox, what are your opinions on one animation making up the reel? I am making it to incorporate all the different elements. Do you think this makes the employer want to watch anymore than a number of short animations?

[Black]

no it shouldn't make a diffrence..
IF you don't call it a reel ... and call it a 'sample'.

There is a BIG diffrence. And infact some agencies/companies preffer samples rather than the confusing rels. But if you have a reel, they would definately be expecting a collection of your works

[jasont028]

Thanks Black-3DT. I will keep that in mind when I'm done. I'll Make sure not to call it something it isn't.