Last week I was in London filming a motion graphics reel for a client:
So what are the steps to creating a decent reel for a client from the many hours of footage that have been taken?
No .1 Back up ALL the footage, not just the bits you like
This means you spend the next few hours directly after the shoot putting the films onto hard- drive, backing it up online and making sure that nothing can be lost. I have worked with freelancers who actually lose film footage…..an irredeemable sin. There are hidden gems that can save a scene which you will only find once editing starts :]
No.2 Import the footage into Adobe Premier Pro
You need an editor where you can quickly cut, edit and arrange a story. Once you know which clips work then you can do a quick export and send to the client. However…
No.3 Arrange a Story – several of them
The client may not like the first option you send them. Ego is your enemy here – so cut your ego and do several options that the client can pick from.
No.4 Refine
Criticise the reel and keep suggesting until the client is happy – at this point keep motion graphics in mind.
No.5 Motion Graphics
Ideally you will need to have templates set up and examples already done that the client likes. If not then now is the time. Marketing managers are damn useful to have breathing down your neck about fonts, type and look. If however the marketing manager is more interested if what you come up with then again – several options.
No.6 Agreed Reel
Once the reel has been agreed and signed off….Then you must export it into a format that the client can manage e.g. mobile phone, website, youtube, vimeo etc.
All of the above should be agreed beforehand and be an expected part of the process.
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