Bret Hampton: Videographer, editor and sound editor in Los Angeles, California.

Editing reel, should showcase your editing ability (stating the obvious). Not your directing or DOP ability. So on that note, why not edit a scene in many different ways? Perhaps show your 8 seconds of footage in different cuts/edits? I see people show directors reels and they look like editor reels...Or DP's reels showing editing... Change the score and so forth showing all lateral you possess in editing. Personally I can edit a scene in a 100 different flavors for 100 different styles... Pretty deep rabbit hole. I do not see a reason why you could not use stock footage and recut the same footage over and over with different score and or effects. If the person on the other end states anything about the stock footage, either disclaim it out front or tell them "yeah it is stock footage" were you looking for an editor, or a DP?" Furthermore there are contests out there that offer ONLY stock footage so it can be judged for editing instead of someone pulling off an epic cliff dive shot in the reel thereby tainting the judging or 'sizzle'. Just my view on it....

Thank you for the feedback, I def can show my editing skills like that, This video I'm making tho has no vocals or dialogue really just music, kinda feels like a trailer montage.. I think I'm really good at piecing together and making trailers. Not sure where I can showcase that ability with editing... This short I'm making is definitely going to show off many effects including color, and transitions. Any tips on an over used effect or ones to leave out and or not to use so much?

I've edited trailers and you're right, more like a montage where you can put random images together. Doesn't really show editing if you want to work on dramatic or comedic projects. If you could find a lesser-known movie or tv episode you could recut it to tell a different story. That would really show your editing skills. As for effects and transitions, try to pick or create ones that have some meaning to the visuals. For example a shot of a river or lake could transition like it's flowing into the next shot.

Thanks very much for your help!

My understanding is Steve Jobs didn't want Macs to do blu-ray so left that capability out. Perhaps Toast can do it, but you have to buy a blu-ray drive

Robin I think Jobs was right. I worked at Image Entertainment a leading DVD/Blu-ray independent distributor and we saw the end of media coming a long time ago and were early developers of streaming content. Good to know Macs can do blu-ray as it still comes up sometimes, especially for some festivals. I have both Encore and Studio Pro but mainly use Adobe Media Encoder for almost everything now as physical media keeps disappearing

Hi Bret!

Hi Bret, nice to meet you!

Hi everyone. You guys are from all over the US, however JL is local to me. Interested in hearing about her film and what the rest of you are up to. I just finished minor restoration on Pacific 231, the first sound film shown in Russia, and almost done with Children of Divorce, an early silent Gary Cooper film.

I can assure anyone that if you are using LED light as they are now - you are working on a compromised shoot. The biggest problem with LEDs for me is the color rendition index witch they nowadays claim to be above 90%. That combined with the limited color space of video makes the colors very annoying. But if you shoot corporate videos and weddings by yourself then LEDs are the way to go.

I was just at Cinegear Expo and many nice LED lights were there. The better ones can easily change color temp so I don't see an issue. Also fresnels and very large or small lights for all uses. Like any new technology it's taken a few years to get to this point, but I like them now

There are many new lights that are preforming good... Celebs and Astras are great tools... Once again there is no perfect light for everything. So think of it as having more brushes to paint your landscape.

True, Bret, very true. Glad you liked it! Dawn

Sadly they are probably expecting an actual Cinematography camera. Example: Red, or black magic ursa. Its expensive and not really worth the money since cameras are updating all the time. But if you want more gigs I would suggest to start out with the mini black ursa.

They saw you had a dslr and thought their bts photos on instagram wouldn't have looked as cool.

i'm getting the ursa mini in two weeks. looking forward to it.

The cinematographer creates the image, not the camera. The choice of tool however is not the same as a painter's because film by and large is a collaboration not a solo art.

That said, there are compelling reasons to chose a camera(s) over another based on project parameters, and intelligent producers allow a seasoned DP in on that decision. There are non-compelling reasons one may have to accommodate based on economic decisions, delivery parameters, or mere tastes of those with the checkbook.

The idea that a cinematographer "is" the camera he uses or owns is widespread, and people of that mindset cannot be dissuaded as they are utterly in the dark about the craft.

Simon Adobe does keep track of how many computers you use. So for 3 or more you need CC for Teams. However it keeps track by versions you bought. For example I already bought CS6 as hard copy before getting CC, so separate registration for each, so I could have 2 computers for that and 2 more for CC.

Whenever I use my Adobe products, and many others, I go off lne.

That's why I use FCPX. Payed for it once. And I believe in the way it is designed. ;-)

Justine What happened with Dr. Maxwell? That sounded like exactly what you want. If it's too difficult to travel there, then you're best bet is volunteering to work on other people's short films or at your local tv station. In the US we have rules about internships and usually you have to be in school to qualify. I'm sure companies do it informally, but I don't think many of them post here, so you have to seek them out. I got my first job by renting a camera from a video post facility. They needed a sales person (not fun) but it quickly turned into editing and camera work. I have also volunteered on many short films. Look up "Father Xmas" with Dakota Fanning. It was her first film and now she is a popular young actress. If it were me I would keep knocking on doors and ask for what you want. My asking people to 'do the right thing' I think it can make people uncomfortable. They don't want to feel pressured to hire you. That doesn't work. You have to present yourself by what you can offer in exchange for what you would like to learn. Try looking up TV shows that you'd like to work on, contact the producers and tell them your story. Just check the credits and you'll find someone to contact.

Hey Bret, What is meant by your post; "What happened with Dr Maxwell?" I am sill keeping on keeping on, probably like everyone else. If you checked out my company, Maxima Vision Film's site at www.maximavisionsproductions.com you would realize we have an academy of cinema/television attached to our production company. The internship is an avenue by which an individual who wants to learn the industry but has limited resources can in a tradeoff for being an intern. SImple as that

Dr. Maxwell You made it very clear what you can do for Justine. The reason I asked what happened with you is you put out a nice offer yet she's still looking for someone to help her. Did she ever contact you? As you may also see, many people on here are looking for help, contacts, etc and when someone extends the perfect opportunity like you did I don't get it if she doesn't take you up on it. Bret

Welcome, Bret. Sounds like a very interesting project. Wishing you the best with it.

Thanks Richard We may need voice artists at some point as many of our interview subjects only speak French and I'd rather not subtitle everything as Americans don't usually like reading them. Have you hear of the Colcoa French Film Festival? It starts tomorrow at the DGA in Hollywood. I plan to be there all week, meeting filmmakers and distributors. There are always actors and filmmakers talking about their films and afterwards at a free happy hour one can often talk to them personally.

Hey Bret. When you're ready to cast your voice actors, be sure to list your projects and your casting needs in our Job Postings section. I'm not sure I'm familiar with Coloca. I wish you a very successful fest, however. Knock em dead!

Da Vinci has a pretty reliable edit software for free.

Da Vinci is great, you can also organize everything and do an Adobe Premiere free trial (10 days). YouTube is a great resource for tutorials. Good Luck!

Affordable, but on what price range? If you have a Mac, then Final Cut Pro can do almost anything (except special effects) and Motion is okay for creating bespoke titles and special effects. iMovie is free with a lot of Macs, and pretty good. (Not a lot of selection with titles and stuff, but it is accurate, and on the way to learning FCP.)

I disagree with Windows Movie Maker. That's kind of clunky. It's okay for little kids who just want to drag and drop, but there's very little control there.

For Windows, I'd agree with Vegas. I've seen novices use it and have no problem.

We do what we can to help. No, we haven't met. Sorry, but hopefully one day!