Hardcore Reel Critiques

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!

  1. Gavino says:

    Everyone needs a good beating now and then..

  2. Would love to get mine ripped apart:

    http://www.greasypigstudios.com

    (Animation and motion graphics reels in site)

  3. feel free to critique mine I will be more than happy to listen to your comments!

    thanks in advance!

  4. Kjatte/Kjetil/Chetil says:

    Nick, when will the critique be out?

  5. Pritesh says:

    hey nick, wud luv to get site critiqued and wud helpp me improve as a designer, btw keep up the wked posts on the site, very inspiring!!1

    http://prime-digital.co.uk/

  6. F3tch says:

    Here is my Reel 2009.
    Please watch it on Vimeo to see the HD version. http://vimeo.com/6494012

    And here is my site http://www.grischatheissen.com with the “small” version and some infos.

    Keep up the good work!
    Cheers

  7. Tim says:

    Critique the crap out of this please :D

    http://www.timlobes.com – Vimeo Reel

    Planning on shortening it to 1 minute, but what should I leave in/take out, what works and sucks? Please be constructively brutal!
    Thanks Nick

    • F3tch says:

      Nice Video and good presentation. The only thing that bothers me is the use of the ballon HDRI image from greyscale gorilla. I think it’s no problem to get inspired by tutorials and adapt them but make it in your way.
      Just a thought.

      I really like the typo tracking thing! Great Job.

  8. Mike Tan says:

    Here is my site.
    http://www.myuncle.com.au

    Here is my reel.
    http://www.vimeo.com/5976883

    Appreciate any comments! this is good.

  9. Jorge Lega says:

    Here’s my porfolio site http://www.jorgelega.com let me know what you guys think!

  10. Jason Hadley says:

    Here’s my site.. reel is pretty easy to find http://www.hadleyvisual.com

  11. Nikko says:

    Watch out for the reel OD man!

    Anyway, doesn’t hurt, here is mine:
    http://www.nicolasplaire.com

  12. Rickard Bengtsson says:

    Just a question, not sure if it fits on this post but whatever.
    What is the avrege age for people around here doing 5sec challenges, posting their reels etc?
    Are there many people like me who haven’t even started working with this kind of stuff yet or do most of you have motion graphics jobs or something. Im 17 btw.

    I was really happy with my 2008 reel but now, when I look at it I see how much I’ve evolved and learned so it’s not that great anymore.
    Gonna post my 2009 reel whenever that’s done though.

    • Jess says:

      I’ve been wondering the same question. I just turned 20, and I’m just starting to really get into After Effects in my free time. From just browsing through the reels, it seems to me like most people here work as freelancers and have done work for some major clients.

  13. finemotionvision says:

    hit me gorillacommune…

    http://www.vimeo.com/6642411

    • Zerox says:

      I think you should leave out the tutorialmaterial – Lexus,Copilot,Aetuts…everybody knows them, try something of your own with the shown techniques.

      • finemotionvision says:

        yes – you’re right. i do this as a hobby and sometimes can’t believe what you can now do at home. I get a little bit carried away by a technique i’ve been shown and just want to get it out there and show people. However, i would like to go pro one day and so took your remarks seriously. Consequently, i’ve deleted it from vimeo and already replaced the first shot. thanks for the kick up the butt.

  14. Marco .H says:

    i’ve no reel yet.
    but i’ve a custom wordpress for my website!
    is it good to add: site, blog, facebook and twitter link on the same start page?
    see ya
    http://www.marcantoinehelard.com

  15. Hi! This is my webpage http://www.brunographer.com
    I’d really appreciate the critique, this is my first reel, made up mostly of the work I made in school during my master in motion graphics. I’m 24 years old and just getting into the business and could use some good feedback… thank you!

  16. Joe Moccia says:

    I have not launched a new site yet, but my reel is up:
    http://www.joe-moccia.com/reel.html

    This is my first ever reel, my 3rd cut of it.
    Appreciate any critique.

  17. Kevin Snyder says:

    Wow! I’m not sure if I will get to at the bottom of this long list, but what the heck.

    I usually preference my work with what a do for a living (many people are surprised that I do motion graphics on the side), but I want to see how my reel holds up on its own.

    Site: http://www.cmimagery.com

    Motion Graphics Reel: http://www.vimeo.com/4385694

    Motion Tracking Reel: http://www.vimeo.com/1702415

    Thank you for the opportunity!

    Kevin Snyder

  18. pritesh says:

    hey nick, wud love a critique of my site, any way of improvin as a designer.
    Keep up the gud posts.

    http://prime-digital.co.uk/

  19. Charlie Able says:

    I see that I’ve noticed this message board a bit late, but I’d still love anyone’s comments.

    I’m an architecture student with an interest in art and graphics, but am extremely new to motion graphics. I don’t have a reel but I do have a new website with my body of work.

    So no matter how fundamental a critique may seem, it is all welcome here.

    http://www.charlieable.com/

  20. EmilRydberg says:

    please give me feedback on my latest reel :)

  21. Thanks Nick, keep up the great work!

    • Jordan Taylor says:

      im confused on yur reel i swaer i saw a justin timberlake music video and i know for a fact i saw LUPE FIASCO n Pharrel but i didnt see like a tv station with it or neting it was just the video and i know u didnt make it, did i miss something on there?

      • JP says:

        Thanks for the look Jordan. I worked on the Lupe Fiasco and Justin Timberlake videos back in ’06. I did backgrounds on the Lupe video and paint/roto on the Timberlake video.

        Not sure how to make that clearer in the reel because I don’t have before and after shots. Any suggestions?

  22. Charlie Able says:

    Hey everyone,
    I’m an architecture student trying to get into the world of motion graphics. I only have a few animation pieces, so no reel, but I am working on building up a diverse portfolio.

    Any comments, no matter how elementary are more than welcome.

    http://www.charlieable.com

  23. Oh,so many reels :) )
    Here is and mine demo reel :)
    http://vimeo.com/5472848

  24. Ryan Snider says:

    Hi Nick.

    I really respect your opinion and would be very interested to hear what you have to say about my reel. Thanks for providing all the amazing resources you do. Don’t hold back!

    Ryan Snider
    http://www.heshouldworkforme.com

  25. Brandon Withrow says:

    I know im late to the game. but here is my newest reel. Looking for comments from anyone!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWLIQD_dRfU

  26. Looking forward to seeing your critiques, hopefully you’ll have time to get around to all of them.

    http://www.justinmcclure.tv/front-page/motion-graphics-reel

  27. Matt says:

    New to the whole graphic design and photography business area – didn’t go to school for it, just learned with online tutorials, so I’m seeing where it’s all at anyway…

    http://www.redsixltd.com/

  28. Neiko says:

    These are some good reels here people. There is one thing I noticed a lot of people using and that’s the twitch effect in the intros or ending. Don’t get me wrong, some of you are using it very well and are even mixing it with cinema 4d stuff, but some of you are just killing the effect. You guys that are using cinema 4d with the mograph plugin are making things happen, keep it up, you make me jealous.

  29. A bit nerve wrecking, but I’m putting on my best poker-face as I hit submit!

    http://vimeo.com/2427474

    Thanks for them good posts and advice.

  30. Bertrand says:

    Here is my 2009 Reel!
    http://vimeo.com/1930226
    I’m now working on my graduation film. So, some advices for my next reel could be interesting.

  31. Thomas says:

    Hi Nick !
    Here is my reel :
    http://thomasberthelon.com/Site/Show_reel.html
    I’m working on a new video.

  32. Jonas says:

    Nick, have a website.com, a blog or a simple vimeo, to the eyes of the client, it changes something when hiring?

  33. Hey Grayscalegorilla. We are a norwegian based motion-graphics/design house. Take a look at our reel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYrdTw2eTyw&feature=player_embedded

    Would be nice to get some feedback!

    Cheers,
    Tor Martin

  34. Sorry for misspelling your name. I give it a second go. GreyscaleGorilla.

    Cheers.

  35. Greg says:

    Sup Nick,

    I know you’ve got a long list, but I’d love to see what you think of my reel.

    http://www.delrazor.com/

    just visit the visual section and view the reel.

    Or you can opt to just jump straight into the reel with this link.

    http://www.delrazor.com/videos/delrazor_09_reel.mov

    Thanks!

  36. Ben says:

    Hey Nick,
    Can you critique my reel…just kidding, I know it sucks…

    Peace dude!

  37. Jonas Almeida says:

    Great Nick!
    Can you critique my website? Its goods and its bads? I’m brazilian and my site is: http://www.jonasalmeida.com.br
    I gonna finish some more works then make a single reel, while not, just the site!
    Thanks!

  38. Stefan says:

    Great man, I also would like to hear something from ya to my reel.

    http://www.vimeo.com/5927944

  39. CMS says:

    Hey Nick,
    I’d love to have some feedback on my reel.
    http://vimeo.com/1651336

    Keep it coming Nick, GSG rocks

  40. Wow I came a little late to the party, but I’m gonna get in line anyway…

    http://www.vimeo.com/6752407

  41. Bill Heffley says:

    Hi Nick! i don’t have a motion reel but a DP reel. Do you critique photography reels? If so i would love to post something. thanks!!

  42. I am little late, but hopefully u get time to see it…

  43. Kerry Murphy says:

    Just finished this yesterday.

    http://www.vimeo.com/6849403

    The critique so far has been great on other reels. Looking forward to more!

    best regards..

  44. Hi !
    I’ve just seen this post !
    So here’s my reel on vimeo :
    http://www.vimeo.com/3529570

    hope it’s not too late…

  45. Fortunato says:

    I would like some feedback on my work.

    http://www.mikefortunato.com

  46. Sebastian says:

    Hey there,
    even if im not the first to post his site (with the reel) … here it is:
    http://www.sebastiantomczak.de … Let me know what you think! Greetings from Germany,
    Sebastian

  47. Chad Moseley says:

    I would love some feedback! I just got my reel finished so thats why I am so late to this party.

    http://vimeo.com/6884359

    Thanks for any feedback!
    Chad

  48. Scorpion206 says:

    Nick is just a dalayed guy.
    Procrastinator guy.
    We helped him, he don’t help us.

  49. Hi Nick,

    I’d like some feedback on my reel.
    I’m a french Motion Designer and I’m in Sydney, Australia now.
    Do you my think my skills are good enough to apply for a motion designer position in Australia.

    Any feedbacks from readers are welcome.

    Thanks a lot.

  50. Pingback: Demo Reel Critiques: Episode 3 | greyscalegorilla/blog

  51. Pixelkid says:

    Give mine a Leona Lewis slap… http://www.pixelkid.co.uk

    ta very much

  52. Pixelkid says:

    Try this link, just the reel is there!

    http://vimeo.com/6814916

    ta again!

  53. Miles says:

    Nick,

    if you ever get to this one
    thanks much!

    http://vimeo.com/7070893

  54. Hi Nick,

    Just forgot the links for my showreel.

    on Vimeo
    http://vimeo.com/5288745
    on my blog
    http://manuelcreignou.blogspot.com/2009/06/showreel09.html

    I’d like some feedback on my reel.
    I’m a french Motion Designer and I’m in Sydney, Australia now.
    Do you my think my skills are good enough to apply for a motion designer position in Australia.

    Any feedbacks from readers are welcome.

    Thanks a lot.

  55. Nico Bolacha says:

    Hi Nick,

    Thanks for your awesome work with GSG for the past months, you are doing an amazing and truely inspiring job. Keep it up…

    My Reel:
    http://www.vimeo.com/7057820

    I currently live in Dubai and have only gotten into Motion Graphics in the past 2years but I’m really starting to get the hang of it and am prepared to do what ever it takes (well almost…lol) to get to the top…

    …please feel free to rip me into pieces…
    Would be nice to have some feedback (not only from Nick…)

    Thanks

  56. rebexa says:

    Enjoying this series…
    would fancy your feedback!
    http://vimeo.com/6479413

  57. Late to the party, I know, but if you have the time to crit, please do. Thanks!

    http://www.mrcrothers.com

  58. Priyesh says:

    If you have a few minutes…here`s my reel: http://vimeo.com/794422

  59. Would love to hear what you think…

    cheers

  60. Love the critiques!
    if you get a chance, here is mine..
    http://www.jbarnesnyc.com
    Thanks!!

  61. nick, you already know it, but maybe u want to review it in public.

    http://vimeo.com/6413002

  62. Yesael says:

    Very cool of you to do this.
    Here is my reel:

    http://vimeo.com/7090198

    Thanks,

    -YS

  63. KevinW says:

    I doubt you will get to it, here is mine (if anyone else want’s to crit it, go for it!)

    (reel)
    http://www.vimeo.com/5863504

    (Big QT)
    http://www.virtualmatter.org/assets/work/Kevin_Whitfield.mov


    Kevin

  64. honest critique is the best! it’d be great to hear your comments.

    reel (quicktime):
    http://www.mike-humphrey.com/mikehumphrey_reel09.mov

    youtube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ-SfwvXJGk

  65. Carmina says:

    hey Nick! here you have my demo. Keep up with this section… it’s a good way to learn!! ; ) thanks!

    http://charminmotion.com/DR2008_CharminMotion.mov

  66. Hi Nick!
    My reel to your hardcore critiques!
    Thanx!

  67. Peta Kyle says:

    Here’s my reel up for critique. Thanks!

    http://vimeo.com/7099791

  68. Shahir Daud says:

    Hey hey,

    Any critique of my reel would be cool. I’m more of a director/editor who also does some mo-graph & compositing, but would be interested to see how it holds up, whats working, not working etc.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBTPPV-6srA&fmt=22

    Many thanks for any feedback!

  69. Come on, be as rude as you can.

    rcalvaro.tv
    vimeo.com/rcalvaro

    And of course, thank you in advanced for it.

  70. All right Gorilla-man, cool initiative, fire away!

    http://www.smokeandmirrors.se

  71. dzolan says:

    Any link on the left under “Showreel”:

    http://www.valhalladesign.net

    Thanks!

  72. would love to hear what you think

    http://www.brettmcmanus.com/

    cheers

  73. Oskar says:

    Swedish compositing student, and this is my first reel ! Be as harsh as you like!

    http://vimeo.com/6765472

    Thanks!

  74. It looks like you’ve set yourself quite a Herculean task!
    Well, should you reach this point of the list, I’d be immensely grateful for any feedback you have!

    http://www.vimeo.com/7159642

    Thanks!
    Gabe

  75. Ed Rhine says:

    Hey there… I would love to have you take a look. Thanks for the time if you are able

  76. Manuela says:

    Graduated this year from SVA, but been working professionally for the past 3 years (somehow I survived full time classes and work)

    Mograph already destroyed me… LOL

    Lets see what you think!

    http://www.manuruiz.com

    Thanks in advance!

  77. Duncan Elms says:

    Hey there here s another one for the list. You can check out my reel and work in mograph, design and photography at http://www.bulkas.com

    Cheers,
    Duncan

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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