COMMENTS ON STILLS FROM FILMS I HAVE SHOT

[Ian Forbes]

Hi,

 

I am applying to the cinematography course at NFTS for entry in 2011. I would like to know how one should present their show-reel? The application stipulates that the show-reel should have titles and credits at the start and end of the show-reel and that content should not be more than 15 mins. Does this mean that I should edit together sections from all of my up to date work and show the titles and credits for each piece of work at the start and end of each section or the whole showreel? Is the 15 mins for each film or for the show-reel in it's entirety?

 

I would greatly appreciate if anyone who has applied for the cinematography MA at the NFTS could send me a link to their show-reel that they applied to the NFTS with. I would love to see show-reels from successful and un-successful applicants.

 

Here are some stills from two short film projects I shot and lit recently. All images are un-graded and straight out of the camera. I would appreciate any comments from anyone on these images.

 

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12...KEN_STILL_1.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12...KEN_STILL_2.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12...KEN_STILL_3.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12...KEN_STILL_5.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12...KEN_STILL_6.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12...KEN_STILL_8.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12...KEN_STILL_9.jpg

 

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12thebenicrew/2.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12...ew/254_0494.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12thebenicrew/3.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12thebenicrew/4.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12thebenicrew/5.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12thebenicrew/6.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12thebenicrew/7.jpg

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb77/12thebenicrew/8.jpg

 

Thank you for any advice!

[George Ebersole]

The closeups of the hands and toes are interesting. And that final shot looks pretty dynamic.

[Satsuki Murashige]

Hi, some of your pic links are down, or at least I am unable to view them. Based on the few I was able to see, I think the lighting overall is a bit flat and undramatic. I think for a showreel showcasing cinematography, you may want to highlight more dramatically lit examples with greater contrast and bolder compositions. I'd try to use more well-composed wide shots like your last pic, nice dolly shots or shots with a lot of movement, CU beauty shots, etc.

[Phil Connolly]

I didn't go the the NFTS as a cinematographer, I was a NFTS TV directing student, so I am def not as knowledgable as people that have done the cinematography course.

 

My understanding is they want to see storytelling ability - eg the cinematography supports and helps tell the story in a visual way. Lighting and composition are important - but story is key - so sending a beauty reel or montarge of nice looking shots won't be what they are looking for.

 

Ideally a complete short film or good solid scenes that really showcase visual storytelling ability is what they are going to be looking for. 15 Minutes is the total running time.

 

Its hard to critique your stills in this context as they are just that, stills - we need to see how the camera supports the story through mood, lighting movement etc....

 

Good luck - the NFTS application process is a tough nut to crack