ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 7 months ago - Sandy Chase

I second the idea of updating your reel. It's from 2011 and looks amateurish. The title is "Untitled." There's problems with the compression: playback is jumpy and there are some clips displayed at the wrong aspect ratio. (Not a good advertisement for any post production work.) Audio and text on screen are not professional level. It's almost better to show clips from one fantastic production than several mediocre ones.

I agree with some other comments: sounds like you need to find your niche and get really, really good at it.

Also, you mentioned that you're in Sussex, not East London. If your location is the barrier to your success, maybe you have to move to where the work is.

11 years, 7 months ago - Jamie Kennerley

John, what is your focus? Editor, Cinematographer, Writer, 'so forth'? I would forget learning additional skills and concentrate on learning one skill and making yourself very good at it. Without that you're not very likely to be much in demand for anything. Focus and persevere, is my advice.

11 years, 7 months ago - David Diley

I've had a bit if a mooch around and as you mention Cinematography, I had a look at the showreel linked on your profile. If I could offer some more advice, take that down and do a new one, it's nowhere near the level your listed expertise would suggest. I know that might sound harsh but I only mean to help

11 years, 7 months ago - John David Clay

Hello,

Thanks to all who chip in, It ssomethings a bit tricky when I get to strat ding film reviews for film of the month, so been doing that, Jamie, Still not 100% currently finding more work as script supervisor in between all the 'non shoots' I'm current on the comittee of the Oska Bright film festival prep for 2015 very shortly. - some time still the music department because its something you can't 'see' 70% of he time.

next job is script supervising 50 page webseries fingers crossed, - the scale of production is different fom 5d mk 2 - RED / Alexa no one of the london idependents seem to shoot much south of london all most c London or north. - read through 75% camera manuals bu can;t afford to have cameras.

issues few indis seem to be interested in producing any of the script / concepts that much - thats a productin issue people am basd In SUSSEX NOT SE LONDON. - NOT UPGRADED TO DSLR YET. / SUPPLIED KIT WOULD BE MORE USEFUL.

I'LL THINK ABOUT IT AND MANY THANKS AGAIN

JOHN
07913 015 288.

11 years, 7 months ago - Sandy Chase

Oh, I see now. This is the reel linked from your SP account: http://vimeo.com/36125810
I see you have updated reels on Vimeo. Okay, scratch most of what I said. But UPDATE THE LINK FROM SHOOTING PEOPLE!

11 years, 7 months ago - Jim Page

I literally didn't understand anything you said in your second post John.

11 years, 7 months ago - Michael Fox

John,

To reiterate Paddy's original comment, please do yourself a favor and spell-check your posts, make sure the sentences read correctly, and use correct punctuation. People who hire crew have a huge amount of choice. You need to be able to market yourself effectively, and nobody will hire someone who is unable to spell or who abbreviates sentences as if they were having a conversation in a pub. I do not wish to be harsh or overly critical, but the basics are a great starting point in marketing yourself effectively.

11 years, 7 months ago - David Diley

I have to echo James' point I'm afraid, I've read it a couple of times and I can't really grasp any of it at all and with part of the gist seeming to be that you are working as a script supervisor, I'd have to say, that's a little worrying.

As another poster has said, pick an area on which to focus and get good at it, go out and work, work, work and if you need money to buy gear, get out there and earn it somehow, everything will teach you something along the way.

Good luck

11 years, 7 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Honestly John, and because you asked, I'd start with attention to detail, clarity and spelling. They're skills every bit as learnable and possible to improve as any other.

No point speaking in basic Arabic (for instance) if your English posts are often less clear than they could be. English will always be your first and fall-back language, if you're using it to communicate with non-native speakers then precise spelling and grammar will help you to communicate effectively. If that means typing more slowly, using a spell checker, or re-reading your mails/posts before sending, it's time well spent.

They say 'the way you do one thing is the way you do everything'. If you communicate clearly and accurately it'll reflect on how people consider you as a scriptwriter, and even as a camera operator!

11 years, 7 months ago - Jamie Kennerley

I think responding to people who chip in with advice would be a good start also, John.