What to include in a promo video?

[chrisb]

Hi all you visual freaks.

My agency want to have a promo video / demo reel of what Im doing when Im VJing at an event.
What should I do?
Record 30min at the event?
Find some music and do a "music video"
Or hook up with a DJ and make a 30min set...

I would like to do it live with a DJ, that would we the coolest.
But what have you other guys done, if you ever done a promo video..

Hope to get some feedback..

Happy VJing.

[sleepytom]

you should include whatever are you trying to promote!

If you just turn up and do the visuals by plugging in your computer and playing on whatever screens are provided then you should record some of your output + a little bit of camera footage of a gig showing yourself triggering the visuals on your computer.

If you do installation designs / put extra screens and projectors in then you should include much more camera footage from a few events you've done, include a small amount of fullscren visuals and make sure you have some nice camera shots of setting up / packing down gigs too.

Put your logo and contact details onscreen for the full duration of the promo. Make them bigger than you think.

Make the whole video no more than 5 minuets long. If you mix to a wide range of music then make a sound track which features a few different styles (but don't go over 5 minutes in total)

[retina_error]

nice advice tom...

[deepvisual]

and...

think about the music you use.
most VJ showreels are unwatchable just because the music drives you nuts.

also, make the first 30 seconds amazing, as thats probably the only bit thats ever going to get seen by most people.

finally - spoonfeed the poor buggers. most clients understand nothing about Vjing. so put some titles/intertitles explaining what they are seeing.

[rolin]

Only put in you best work and camera footage.

Make it 1 minute (max.) and
make sure the whole minute rocks!

[Daxx]

We made a VJ mix of a few events we did/filmed, in that mix you can see a few venues we played at, us performing, ...

have a look:

YouTube- 5ifth Dimension, Belgian VJ Collective:...

grtz

[thomase]

TBH, this reel isn't very good IMHO. I would take a look at the showreels section, pick some you like and then find out WHY you like them. The reel should indeed be rather too short than too long and at the same time show some of your best visuals and you performing them...

[subpixel]

Originally Posted by chrisb

My agency want to have a promo video / demo reel of what Im doing when Im VJing at an event.
What should I do?

Why don't you ask your agency what they are expecting/want?

[PCProject]

"Dr Watson the evidence thus far leads to me to believe a video showing what the artisan does for use in a promotional manner"

"Bugger me Sherlock no wonder you are the brains of this outfit"

[chrisb]

Thanks for all the inputs.

I post it when its done.. I got the music in place..
Not I just have to make the video..

And again, thanks..