S.R: A Cinematic Reel - ID# 168

Glenbrook North
Cinematography
Entry Description

A collection of the work I have shot that shows of the storytelling in my projects.

Copyright Info

Recent Teacher Comments

  • 4/29 1:49 pm - This is an exciting reel with lots of different situations genres and showcases some really outstanding cinematography skills. Good work!
  • 4/28 2:59 pm - This was a really interesting edit, and I loved your use of natural sound throughout—it adds a layer of immersion that really stands out. The high-contrast work you did with the adult actors was a massive highlight; it looked sharp, professional, and very intentional. However, the shaky footage at the beginning was a bit jarring and lacked focus control, which can pull a viewer out of the experience. The top entries in this category demonstrate 'mastery of movement,' where every shake or glide feels like a deliberate stylistic choice, not an accident. My advice for your next project is to focus on 'motivated movement'—if the camera moves, it should be because the character or the emotion of the scene demands it. If you clean up those transitions to match the quality of your high-contrast work, you’ll have a top-tier reel.
  • 4/7 10:38 am - PROS The shooter demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of compositional depth; by consistently using foreground elements to dirty the frame, they create a sense of three-dimensional space that feels cinematic rather than flat. The creative perspective shown in the convenience store sequence is a standout moment of technical playfulness. The handling of natural backlighting during the outdoor event sequence shows an impressive ability to manage high-dynamic-range scenes without blowing out highlights or losing the subject in shadow. IMPROVEMENTS This is a small nitpick: While the technical floor is high, the rhythm of the edit could be tighter. The transition from the high-energy tracking shots of the runner to the slow, stationary macro shots of flowers feels slightly jarring in terms of pacing. To improve, consider grouping shots by visual energy or vibe to create a more intentional narrative flow. OVERALL This is a high level reel. The shooter is building frames and making deliberate choices about geometry and light. Each shot feels like it has a reason to exist. If they can harmonize their color grading across these different environments and refine their handheld stability, they’ll be operating at a level well beyond a standard high school submission.
Judge 1

Positives: Good exploration of different camera techniques. Nice end edit!

Improvements: Experimenting with a Steadicam or simply using a wider lens or a warp stabilizer in editing could smooth out those small, unintended vibrations. The camera work is good, but the auto-focus tracking feels a bit erratic. Practicing manual focus will improve your depth-of-field control and draw in the eye.

Judge 2

Positives: Some very nice work here. The shots at 0:17, 0:33, and 1:22 are the strongest of the bunch; technically excellent, well-lit, and make great use of visual language to convey information. Nice use of foreground elements to add depth and interest throughout the rest of the reel as well.

Improvements: Shaky handheld operating was very distracting at time. Remember to make use of a tripod whenever possible. Be mindful of your focus as well, some shots float in and out of focus at times.

Judge 3

Positives: Time of day for a few of your shots was lovely, much of getting a good image is picking the right time and place to shoot.

Improvements: You could improve by exploring other modes of moving the camera. A large percentage of your work is handheld and it felt imprecise with framing. Focus wasn't sharp and that's partly down to have to operate the camera on top of pulling focus. A tripod might feel boring but it encourages you to think deeper about blocking a scene. Music choice, could be better. The reel felt rather monotone and building up to something more energetic. If you feel the material you have shot isn't high energy that's okay, pick music that compliments it. Feel free to have multiple songs in a reel or music that changes over time to allow for the pacing to match visuals.

Judge 4

Positives: Good variety of shots. I liked the shot of the wide angle mirror. It shows me that you are aware of opportunities for different angles. The shot of the person in a car while the outside is rushing past out of focus is a good shot. I might have lingered on that shot a little more because it is so powerful. Good luck!

Improvements: Would like to see more medium and close up shots. Faces are where the gold is. Though I liked the staged lighting, I would have liked to see more into the black void in order to get some depth. Good luck!

Judge 5

Positives:

Improvements: