How do you make an effective demo reel? Surely it's just a matter of gathering all your best shots and putting them together with a snappy or moody soundtrack, right? Well, not exactly.

There are some things I've learned over the years about putting together an impactful demo reel and, I have to say, most of the reels I see miss the mark.

Consider that the person or persons watching your reel will likely be receiving many like it and it will take something really special to grab their attention. You don't need to try to compete with established Hollywood artisans but there are some things you an do to make a good first impression.

If you are considering putting a reel together to get work or if you want to freshen up something you've already done, consider the following before you get started:

1. Organize your footage.

The human eye can view a tremendous amount of information but it is selective in what it can retain or what it deems important. If a viewer is presented with footage that seems disconnected either through inconsistent color correction, letterboxing at all different sizes (including some whacky non-standard aspects), shots that have a lot going on but are not on screen long enough to make sense, etc., you have already lost your chance and your demo will be ejected swiftly.

Choose your shots wisely. Categorize them. I mean this in the broad sense. Categorize them visually so that one kind of shot or color treatment can be followed by something that is logical to the eye. If you have to transition to a shot that is more jarring, then either choose a separate transitional shot or make the cut work with the music. Visual and aural cues are key to a smooth flow.

2. Edit to the music

This is critical and can make the difference between a hugely impactful and emotional reel versus something that falls flat. Sound is more important than image. Even if you are selling your cinematographic skills, if you can't put together an effective edit, even your best shots can lose their power. Think about some energetic music when you are showing fast action. Think about subtlety in the music when you are showing a tender scene. Think dramatic music when conveying a sweeping landscape. Choose dynamic music for your reel. Something that can convey a lot of different feelings and movement. I cannot emphasize the importance of rhythm in editing and musical choice. Even an epic film like Gone With the Wind would lose some of it's power without the hugh orchestral theme.

3. Keep it short

The goal here is to make people want more, not look at their watches or, worse still, press the stop button prematurely. I think that the perfect running time for an effective demo reel should be somewhere along the 60 - 90 second mark. You can always create a longer edit with your "director's cut" and some people appreciate the choice or maybe are blown away enough by your short reel to give the longer one their full attention.

4. What skill are you trying to highlight?

Reels, of course, are not only for cinematographers. Directors, for instance, also use them, as do many others in other roles. Be sure that every shot you chose speaks to what you are saying about yourself. If you are a director, include shots where you are creating some screen magic between two or more people. Be sure to include shots where the viewer can see the variety of emotions you can elicit from your actors. If you are a set designer, be sure all of your chosen shots highlight that. Don't include seemingly random shots that make the viewer scratch their heads. Sure that one abstract shot of the dude in silhouette looks cool but it doesn't belong in your demo because it stands out like a sore thumb and makes no sense.

5. Trust your instincts (and those around you)

If you see something in your reel and it doesn't feel right...it's not right. Fix it or replace it. We can all be a little lazy about our work when there is a lot of effort required to do a small change. Sometimes it can be adjusting an edit by a few frames and, all of a sudden, it is stronger...no more hiccups. Take the time to fix the small stuff. Also, share your reel with others who are qualified to comment on it. Listen to the criticism, try not to take it personally and be prepared to re-edit something you thought was finished.

Remember, a demo reel is always a work in progress. Update it frequently. Get rid of your weakest shots as quickly as you have better ones to replace them.