Introduce Yourself : Directing DEMO REEL by Giovanni Tartaglia

Good job. You have put this reel together nicely. I can see that you have an eye for capturing images well and know how to cast your roles with a variety of character actors. When I look for a director to hire I look for these things and I also look for a sense of who this director is - my question for you in your reel is, what as a director do YOU want to TELL - what communication do you want to bring to the table - add some of that to this reel. For example: your fighters in this piece are very good, your car stunts are very good - are you a stunt driven director? or are you something else? If you are stunt driven do you have a specific stunt film communication - that is your signature? And if so, how are you different from other stunt driven directors? What is your unique message and communication? These are things in a reel that would make me want to hire you above someone else. Hope this helps.

I appreciate all the constructive criticism. This is my first reel I put together. Egypt Reale: To answer your question, I prefer not to label myself to one specific style or technique, I like to be versatile. However, I like to keep my audience guessing and hold the suspense throughout my films. As you can see I am also a fan of close-ups and macro shots, which I feel emerge the audience more into my films. I am a visual storyteller, taking the audience on a journey. Alle Segretti: I am not trying to come out saying I know all the answers and I'm the best filmmaker that ever lived...but I can tell you I'm definitely not a newbie. I've been making films since I was 12yrs old, graduated film school in 2008. I asked for a bit of input, not to be bashed, but it's ok I've learned in the industry not everyone is going to love your work! A director doesn't capture images? True to a certain extent, but have you ever heard of storyboards? It's all about angles, and setting up shots. Then of course, once on set, the focus is on directing the actor's performances. As for the music and dialogue, I've read and heard from multiple sources that many companies actually lower the volume entirely while watching reels! As for the images vertically compressed, I did that because I like the old fashioned classic widescreen effect. As for the "wine" pouring shot, that was Cognac (HENNESSY) and it was a sit-down between two mob bosses. Thanks for your feedback.

Aspect ratio needs to be corrected. Maybe some color correcting as well. I would treat each film sequence as a movie trailer. It's off to a good start.

Hey Giovanni, I would say good job overall, I see that you have talent and are able to get the shots that you want,I would perhaps advice to get a great DOP to help you get amazing shots with great quality. As a like-minded director and editor, I would advice you to take other peoples advice lightly, because you don't know what motives they have and could point you towards a wrongful direction in your work if you follow too much what they say. I mean, obviously keep an open mind for growth but don't take things too harshly, remember that some people out there are afraid of competition and can smell talent. Hahaha reading what Alle Segretti wrote sounds like pure bashing without purpose, I also posted my first short film and bashed it for no reason. Now, I take constructive criticism very well but I don't respect bashes. Sure, take some things in consideration but before she can speak about all the wrong, go see her "work" and then look back at how much you can trust from her judgement, she has nothing to show for and feels entitled to bash everyone. It's just my 2 cents man, take it or leave it, but simply don't get discouraged by others attacks and keep focus on the big picture! Build a great team, get yourself an amazing DOP with a great camera and focus on storytelling, that's what sucks the attention of the public, an amazing story! Cheers!

Thank you guys! Patrick thanks for your input, that's exactly what I thought!! People are jealous of good talent sometimes, I had to deal with that in film school, so I can smell envy miles away ;) question for you: Do you think the aspect ratio is that bad? I wanted to give it that old fashioned wide screen effect.

Well personally I don't love that aspect ratio to be honest, but truthfully, you need to do what makes you happy in this industry....make movies that you would love to watch! Now, a demo reel is made to get jobs and what usually gives jobs is the "Commercial" look, things that are modern in the industry. So my advice to you would be to make a "commercial"looking demo reel to help find directing/editing gigs and make your movies as you want to see them with the aspect ratio that you enjoy! Its all about trial and error, see what works and what doesn't! Wishing you the best, and if you want/need any advice, please don't hesitate! PS: check out my demo reel, I spent 1 month making it, I am soo picky with myself that I re-did it a few times just to get the right feel! Cheers

Alle Segretti: I appreciate your advice, I'm actually fixing the aspect ratio as we speak, as well as other minor things I noticed. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I realized I had trimmed way too much in order to fit in some of the 4:3 footage into 16:9. However, I must say you don't have a very good observable eye, since you couldn't tell the difference between HENNESSY COGNAC and WINE! That made me laugh. A good director can spot EVERYTHING within a frame. Take care.

You know the biggest thing that bothers me about people in the industry like you, is that you judge someone's work by the quality of the video (if it's HD or whatnot) rather than focusing on the TECHNIQUE of filmmaking that a director shows. My reel is to show my work, not if I used expensive cameras. By the way, are you sure you're not part of your own Art Dept as well?? I looked at your filmography and seems like you are every position, including the floor sweeper! lol Anyway, I will tell you one thing: DON'T FORGET MY NAME ;)

What a saga. I mean this thread, not the reel. That seems to have been removed. I was really looking forward to watching it after the investment I just made in reading this novella.

In this industry, talk is cheap! Everyone is very opinionated and talks a big game. If you have something to teach, I'd rather see if from your work...to obviously trust the source...if Quentin Tarantino tells me my work is shit, I will absolutely listen with a big open ear and try to fix things where they are flaw, but if a no name with no visible work tells me about my work...I'm less open to that kind of input. I personally feel that someone with soo much to say who knows "Sooo much" about this industry should have a huge portfolio to show with amazing movies... My 2 cents!

Hi Tiffany, I had to re-upload it to fix the aspect ratio. Here is the new link: http://youtu.be/p-eUXETKUg0

I was going to watch it but you pulled it down. Bummer.

I finally got it after reading some articles on aspect ratios. So glad I started this thread because at least it was brought to my attention! I wish it was a bit less condescending and more positive advice giving coming from Alle Segretti, but I'm still thankful because now I learned what I was doing wrong. I've anyways believed, no matter how good you are at something - there is always room to improve! I will be uploading the final fixed version soon.

I clicked on it but it's been taken down... then I went and noticed all the drama...

The video seems to be gone again. That's sad, I'd like to watch it... :) Aaaah, it's always "refreshing" to see the "professionals" bash everybody in the name of constructive feedback - I keep saying: If you don't like it: Don't care, don't comment. There is no justification for running somebody's work down - except your goal is to be known as a pitiful hater.

^this.