Hardcore Reel Critiques

Written by The Gorilla on September 17, 2009 and filed in Ideas, Inspiration, Motion Design, Reel Critique

One of the most popular requests I get on the GSG Live Cast and in email is “Can you critique my reel?” or “Do you like my new site?” I love doing them and people seem to get a lot out of it, but it just doesn’t work too well in a live format. So, instead, how about we try this…?

Post a link in the comments below to your site or reel. I will pick a few per week and do a full video critique of the site and reel. Keep in mind, these critiques will be public and I will be ruthless. However it’s all in the name of getting better. I really think this will be helpful for the people who submit their reel AND others that can watch and learn by what they are doing wrong or well.

So, if you dare, drop your website or reel in the comments and you may be chosen for a hardcore reel critique.



UPDATE: Holy crap, I didn’t expect this many people to volunteer to be publicly critiqued. That’s awesome! I will probably only pick 3 or 4 for the first set, but be sure that I will revisit this list when I do more critiques. Keep em coming.

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333 people have commented on this post. You should too!

← Older Comments
  1. Hugo Goudswaard says:
    October 21, 2009 at 7:40 am

    Ok, here it is. Go ahead if you like.
    http://vimeo.com/7180344

    Reply
    • Michael Fragstein says:
      October 28, 2009 at 10:27 am

      I like it a lot …
      the movement of the camera and your graphical elements is really worked out well.
      I see a unique style and i like it.
      I see that on the one side you doing motiongraphics and on the other side the film department. This two things are not going that well together in your reel. That´s the only point …
      Nice Job!
      Best
      Michael
      here my reel
      http://www.vimeo.com/5743887

      Reply
  3. Chris Joyce says:
    October 23, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    Wow this is one big list but here it goes.

    http://www.vimeo.com/7224743

    Reply

  4. Pingback: Demo Reel Critiques: Episode 4 | greyscalegorilla/blog

  5. Pingback: Demo Reel Critiques: Episode 4 | greyscalegorilla/blog

  7. william wallace says:
    October 27, 2009 at 2:02 pm

    Hey Nick, dropping this off. williamwallace.tv/work/demoReel/

    Reply
  8. James Houston says:
    October 27, 2009 at 6:58 pm

    I’d appreciate it if you could give my reel a look. It’s set to be downloadable on vimeo. Thanks, love the site.
    http://vimeo.com/5854049

    Reply
  9. Jeffrey Man says:
    October 27, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    Plenty of submissions, heres one more, love and appreciate the site!
    Always open to serious critiquing
    vimeo: http://vimeo.com/6445292

    Reply
  10. Nenad Zivanovic says:
    October 27, 2009 at 9:43 pm

    WTF?? fix it if you can…Sorry man :(

    Reply
  12. praz says:
    October 28, 2009 at 10:41 am

    holy cow o_O lotta showreels in here

    lets give it a try

    here’s mine :)
    http://vimeo.com/7310319

    Reply
  13. ZEEK - Javier Honoré says:
    October 29, 2009 at 10:22 am

    GOD! WE NEED MORE COMMUNITIES LIKE THIS!!!
    so we don’t have to go to see a psychologist before we go crazy!

    MY REEL ! :-)
    http://xplsv.tv/movie/3881/

    Reply
  14. Rodrigo Riedel says:
    October 29, 2009 at 11:57 am

    I know its almost been two years, but I’d love to hear what you have to say before I cut my new demo reel.

    http://www.vimeo.com/1248885

    P.S. I’m a huge fan by the way

    Reply
  15. bart_janssen says:
    November 4, 2009 at 10:50 am

    my very first reel. Already know some things that can be improved but some more critiques before I start editing a new one are very welcome!

    http://www.vimeo.com/7060177

    Reply
  17. Bruce Lim says:
    November 4, 2009 at 5:55 pm

    Im Scared. Thanks!

    Reply
  18. Joel Hebert says:
    November 4, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    Nick,
    If possible, I’d like my reel to be critqued. After watching the first couple of reel critiques, I’ve noticed some common general questions that keep coming up so, here is a background breakdown of my reel to take some guess-work out of your job:

    Reel: joelhebert.com

    My Job: In-house Art Director for a company web-based network of OTC skin care product brands. I handle all the video production for the company. The majority of the work are various scenes from webmercials over the past year.

    My Role: Did everything on the reel but sing the song in the background. Also, some of the ugly labels on the products, I had nothing to do with. Other than that, I wrote the scripts, designed, modeled, animated, etc.

    Workflow: Adobe Production Suite, Strata 3D (65% of the 3D), Cinema 4D (35%, just bought broadcast edition two months ago, can’t put it down now!), Zbrush, Mudbox, Bodypaint 3D

    Output/Rendering: Various rendering setting, screen size was all 640×360. Some of the clips were compressed to-death which is why there is a little anti-aliasing, pixelating, and banding going on.

    Song: Ace Boone “shy people”, myspace.com/aceboone

    Keep up the good tutorials man! Your teaching style is very easy-to-understand

    Reply
  19. manuel says:
    November 5, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    is a little bit of my work

    Reply
  24. Cédric Le Floch says:
    November 11, 2009 at 4:57 pm

    Hi Nick !
    I’ve just updated my reel :)

    Hope you’ll select it for the next session :
    http://www.vimeo.com/7554511

    ;)

    Reply
  25. Phyo Thu says:
    November 14, 2009 at 6:12 pm

    Hi nick, here is my 2009 mograph reel.
    Pls let me know what u think and how I could improve it.

    cheers

    http://www.vimeo.com/5945682

    Reply
  26. Marcin Zeglinski says:
    December 7, 2009 at 10:17 am

    Hey there! I know I’m probably kinda late to the party, but I’d appreciate a critique from anyone willing to give it.

    http://vimeo.com/7547842

    Thanks in advance!

    Reply
  27. Dan W says:
    December 7, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Check out my reel, and let me know what you think…

    http://www.vimeo.com/8036208

    Reply
  28. Anthony Errisuriz says:
    December 8, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    I was wondering if you were going to do another episode of reel critiques? I enjoyed the other 4 episodes you did.

    I just completed a new reel for 2010 and would love to hear a critique and some feedback.

    http://www.vimeo.com/7928648

    Reply
  29. fabio says:
    December 9, 2009 at 7:43 am

    http://vimeo.com/8055593
    i’m not a motion grapher so i don’t know if my reel can be interesting on GSG.
    anyways, big up guys!

    Reply
  30. Robert Morris says:
    December 9, 2009 at 6:19 pm

    Can’t wait to hear what you say about mine!

    http://www.vimeo.com/7596545

    Reply
  31. Oliver Koch says:
    December 10, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    I’m in, ready for the feedback!

    http://vimeo.com/4713294

    Reply
  32. Bryan says:
    December 10, 2009 at 5:24 pm

    I would love some honest feedback. Its hard to keep my reel updated all the time, but I try. If you hate it tell me. If you love it tell me. I want to know what people think. Thanks!

    Reply
  33. Eric Sanderson says:
    December 10, 2009 at 11:38 pm

    Here is my graduating reel!! Its been a long road and ive been fortunate enough to spend a lot of that road working in the field. Was curious since i knew you were a somewhat regular at the Ai in Chicago, how my reel stacks up. Im graduating from the Art Institute of Ft Lauderdale.

    http://www.vimeo.com/8112418

    Reply
  35. Bryan says:
    December 14, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    http://www.vimeo.com/8175217

    Rip it up. Build it up. Just give me some honest feedback.

    Reply
  38. Rickard Bengtsson says:
    December 28, 2009 at 6:20 pm

    You probably won’t get to mine in a while but whatever

    http://www.vimeo.com/8380370

    Reply
  39. CaseLat says:
    December 31, 2009 at 5:28 pm

    Very late in the game but I’m finally happy enough with this.

    http://www.vimeo.com/8477338

    Reply
  40. Álvaro Rodríguez says:
    January 4, 2010 at 6:35 am

    Hi, i’ve updated my reel for the new year, hope this one gets featured:

    http://vimeo.com/8516008

    Reply
  42. Guido Wolter says:
    January 24, 2010 at 7:24 pm

    Hi Nick,

    here is my new reel for 2010 fresh out of the render queue.

    http://www.vimeo.com/8610211

    I’d be glad if you had time to take a close look at it…c’mon rip it apart already :)

    Cheers Guido

    Reply
  43. Zack L says:
    January 26, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    Hey Nick!

    Would like to toss my name/reel into the ring if these are still a-happenin.

    Thanks!
    Zack
    Reel: http://vimeo.com/8402772

    Reply
  44. stefano says:
    January 28, 2010 at 8:22 am

    Hi Nick!
    check my reel an tell me what you think!
    thanks!:)
    http://www.vimeo.com/9041355

    here is my site
    http://www.stefanoparon.com

    ciao

    Reply
  45. Fraser Croall says:
    February 3, 2010 at 8:25 pm

    Hey GSG, would love to have my reel broken down and critiqued by your good self. heres the link…

    http://www.frasercroall.com/reel.html

    and im also on vimeo

    http://vimeo.com/frasercroall

    Cheers,
    FC

    Reply
  46. Scott Balles says:
    February 22, 2010 at 6:33 pm

    I see there are a ton of requests, but if you’ve got the time I’d love to hear your thoughts about my reel.

    Here’s my site: http://www.scottballes.com

    Here’s my reel on Vimeo: http://www.vimeo.com/9644307

    Thanks!

    Reply
  47. zak kelley says:
    February 23, 2010 at 12:10 am

    Would love some professional feedback on my reel. Thanks; love the site!

    http://www.vimeo.com/9502480

    or

    http://www.zakkelley.com/motion1.htm

    -zak

    Reply
  48. El Beto says:
    March 2, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    Yo Gorilla!!!

    I dare you to tell me somthing i don’t know abaout my reel

    http://www.vimeo.com/9859365

    Sobres

    GSG Chingon Cabron !!

    Reply
  49. Dan Ortiz says:
    March 7, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    Here is my 2010 Reel, would love some feedback on my work Thanks!

    http://vimeo.com/9175563

    Reply
  50. Anthony Morrelle says:
    March 16, 2010 at 11:52 am

    Early 2010 cut of my Demo Reel: http://www.da-am.com.
    Any comments, suggestions? Looking for a Motion job in Chicago.

    Reply
  52. G Man says:
    March 19, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    Finally got it done….

    http://vimeo.com/9138419

    Reply
  53. Matthew Armstrong says:
    March 28, 2010 at 1:49 am

    Great site. Would like to hear feedback on my reel before I update it if you have the time. Thanks.

    Reply
  54. Jonny Munévar says:
    April 5, 2010 at 10:20 am

    My reel http://www.vimeo.com/6110046
    Please be rude, in the name of improving

    Reply
  55. rafael says:
    May 24, 2010 at 12:35 pm

    Hi there is still space on your busy schedule for reels critiques, if so here is mine: http://www.vimeo.com/10486219

    Reply
  56. Adam Rosenbaum says:
    May 27, 2010 at 9:17 am

    Not sure if you’re still doing this. If you are, here’s my reel:
    http://vimeo.com/11936276

    Reply
  57. Handel Eugene says:
    May 27, 2010 at 6:16 pm

    Rip me to Shreds! Don’t hold back just hit me with the negative/positive feed back.

    http://tiny.cc/mpahw

    Reply
  59. Daniel says:
    July 23, 2010 at 10:35 am

    Hey nick please take a look at my reel: http://www.dbarros.tv/site/detalhe_motion.php?id=8 critiques are welcome.

    Reply
  60. Cody Burke says:
    September 18, 2010 at 10:13 am

    Just recently finished my summer of 2010 Reel, enjoy!

    http://vimeo.com/15063616

    Thanks
    -Cody-

    Reply
  61. Sebastian Schneider says:
    November 9, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    Hey Nick, hope you’ll find some time for another episode. Maybe you can have a look at my reel. Thx
    http://vimeo.com/14405183

    Reply
  62. Michael Zechner says:
    November 16, 2010 at 4:41 am

    hey nick,

    please check out my reel: http://vimeo.com/16393720
    hoping for another episode soon!

    cheers,
    michael

    Reply
  63. Nicolas Auger says:
    February 15, 2011 at 5:24 am

    Hi from Paris Nick,
    here is my 2010 reel:
    http://www.vimeo.com/17334034
    all comments are welcome!
    thanks

    Reply

Comment Rules: I love helpful comments. We don't all have to be friends or agree, but we do have to be nice. Criticism is fine, but rude comments will be deleted. Use your real name and don't be spammy. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation!

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