Tyler DeMott Cinematography Reel 2022-2023 - ID# 358
Maine South
Cinematography
Entry Description
A compilation of Tyler DeMott’s Cinematography from 2022 - 2023.
Copyright Info
Recent Teacher Comments
- 4/26 12:39 pm - PROS - Great diversity of footage lends to the ability to display a wide array of cinematography skill. Composition and framing skills are strong, particularly in designing evocative closeups (0:11, 0:20, 0:31, 1:15, 1:42). Focus is sharp throughout and movement is smooth and used with purpose. These elements, working in harmony, are all effective in driving the viewer's attention to what you want them seeing onscreen. The lighting design skill on display is especially strong at 0:54, 1:08, 1:12, 1:21, 1:24, and 1:34. Great tone and texture in these shots create the mood of each scene. Nice control of natural light at 1:32, 1:42, 1:46, and 1:54. CONS - Most of your lighting design is so good at creating depth that some shots appeared flat in comparison (night interior of the dinner scene). The movement in the beach shot is not quite as smooth as it should be because the bumps in the pan distract from the onscreen action of the couple walking. The shot with the snow (1:19) could use a bit more contrast. Some of your low-key lighting situations could benefit from a backlight on your subjects (0:22, 0:24 especially) because your subjects tend to blend into the background and you are really riding the low end limit of dynamic range. Overall very strong work. Keep experimenting with your lighting design and creating purposeful movement.
- 4/25 9:56 am - This reel does everything a strong reel should: it showcases a variety of shots using different lighting conditions, locations, and talent. No doubt it is culled from a variety of different films, as all good reels should be. Overall excellent framing - and truly skilled shooting with limited light in dark spaces, which means you have a strong sense of both lighting and exposure. I also appreciate that the shots with lens flare come later - you are comfortable showing your strengths without overreliance on bells and whistles and simply mastering the fundamentals. Bravo!
- 4/17 4:50 pm - Great job with your lighting, very purposeful to create a diversity of tones and feels that crossed over a variety of genres. Great edit as well, demonstrating a strong range of music, narrative, and other video storytelling. You did a great job of pacing as well, with a variety of camera movements that felt intentional. Really well done.
Judge 1
Positives: Intriguing use of light
Improvements: Yet another 3 chord drum beat edited video
Judge 2
Positives: 1. You seemed to have a specific tone in this piece you were trying to achieve, and whatever it was, it was coming across through your uses of color, shots, and compositions. 2. Your editing was almost flawless, and you used well timed places to move onto the next shot. Well done.
Improvements: 1. While I appreciate your uses of transitions instead of just jump cuts, there were just a few transitions that could've done better as simple cuts. There were a number of dissolves in a row that I would've preferred to see some more quick jumps. 2. This reel could've been shorter and more concise. Some of the more simplistic shots could've been cut out to give off a more professional feeling.
Judge 3
Positives: I liked how you started this. It gives personality. These frames are really solid. There is a great understanding of camera/lighting here. Each time the camera moves it means something. Whether that is to give more information or revealing something to the audience. Sometimes there are slow push ins- sometimes quick whips. Very dynamic. :48 is a very strong frame. The lighting on the face is soft and you make good use of the space. The background and foreground both have talent doing actions and its engaging. When I look at just a still it looks like a show. It's a frame that elicits emotion. 1:25 is my favorite frame. The tube lights in that configuration along with the choice to go teal creates a very appealing glow. The teal paired with the orange hair and red outfit is a great collaboration of costume/lighting. If you decide to pursue filmmaking- be creative, make mistakes, have fun and always be filming. Good luck.
Improvements: Nitpicking :15 Based on the camera move I would assume the main character is the person on the left. If not then I would suggest waiting a beat longer before panning. Allow both people to motivate the move and that way we aren't cutting the person on the right out. If it was done intentionally then it works. 1:30 the boom up on the person was just a tad behind. The easiest way to know when to go is to look at the talents shoulders. Typically people move that first when standing.
Judge 4
Positives:
Improvements:
Judge 5
Positives:
Improvements: