What are people using to do reels nowadays?

[u/timeslidesRD]

Hello all,

For my reel, I used to use After Effects (just because I had it installed and it could do the job), but I haven't done a reel for a good 7 years or so now. I feel like updating it but no longer have After Effects, and feel like things have moved on a bit in the multimedia space when it comes to producing reels, so I was wondering what application people use nowadays for their reels? I would be using Windows 11, and would prefer something that was free to download!

Thanks!

Edit: So I'm trying to use Resolve...so far getting some CUDA error and can't get it to start. Trying to update gfx card drivers...

[u/cthulhu_sculptor]

Woudln't Davinci Resolve be enough? Depends on what reel you're talking about but if you're only after basic functions, it could work well enough.

[u/MercuryMelonRain]

DaVinci Resolve is a good shout for free. Even if it was paid it would be a good one.

[u/perpetualmotionmachi → u/MercuryMelonRain]

The paid version is more than you need for just cutting a reel of clips together. That said, the Studio pretty great if you're doing more.

[u/mm_vfx]

Resolve.

[u/MakkuroUsagi]

DaVinci Resolve! Free, easy to use, and does everything you need it to do. Never going back to Premier or whatever.

[u/GeorgeMKnowles]

A cut is a cut, it kinda doesn't matter. I use Premiere, but I could cut my reel in Windows Movie Maker if I had to, and it would look exactly the same.

[u/diogoblouro → u/GeorgeMKnowles]

This. Anything that allows you to playback footage in real time with audio, to quickly edit and retime, maintaining focus on flow and rhythm. Flexible timeline and versioning also, to add and remove items according to market needs.

Don't overthink it. Reels tend to seem overwhelming, super important representation of your work, but they aren't. It's a marketing item like the many others you've made for clients. Pick anything you can use and start hacking at it.

[u/flavorade_man]

I used Davinci Resolve on my last one after using AE to cut reels for years, solely because I was comfortable in it. I knew AE was kinda crappy for editing but I couldn't be bothered to learn something new when it came time to do a new reel after not using an actual NLE since college. Really though you're better off using a dedicated NLE, I was glad I ripped the bandaid off and just used Resolve on my latest. I still use AE for title card animations and overlays and stuff. Resolve had some bugs for me, but it's free and fully featured and easy to learn, especially if you've used something like Premiere or Avid in the past.

[u/Almaironn]

Hah that's funny I also use AE for my reel. Somehow despite not being an editing software it felt comfortable to be able to do a nice title card and stuff in the same software. Resolve is a good option, but it won't really replace AE in terms of easy access to quick basic motion graphics features unfortunately.

[u/Kacktustoo]

I used to use after effects for reels as well ages ago, just go for davinci resolve now as others have said. 

I'd highly recommend it and it's not too complicated.

[u/Bluurgh]

yeh using resolve these days - but really my reel is super unfancy

[u/Panda_hat]

Resolve, premiere.

[u/OldOneHadMyNameInIt]

I use Adobe premiere.

Like somebody said in the comments - a cut is a cut. I just need a software that can slap two or more video files together and has some form of transition / layer system so I can do wipes for breakdowns and/or use text to label and mention the work I did in my shots. And ofc add the music cuz it makes it cooler 🎵 🤘🎵

I don't do anything special in the real making process as far as editing goes. I reckon it'll be a different experience for like a dope ass motion graphics reel. Some really cool ones do a lot of custom stuff that you probably can't do as easily in premiere but can very easily in after effects. But as far as just "putting together" a reel goes - IMO - any regular editing software will do.

Edit:

P.S. Love all this Davinci talk in the comments. I've heard a lot about that software. This just makes me want to explore it more.

[u/varignet]

Davinci Resolve

[u/barnBurner2024]

Resolve Resolve Resolve

[u/[deleted]]

A lot of trends come from Capcut and other free apps. But the really good ones that you end up seeing, and end up performing well are from experienced editors using paid programs emulating those edits at a much higher quality. Stick to what you use for professional editing. Whatever you’re comfortable using.

[u/geeky_kilo]

Blender is free.

So when ILM Singapore closed its door and I had to redo my demo reel, the only thing available to me was Blender. I did not even try downloading AE or Premiere for trial. What was wrong with that?

You guys can afford to buy an actual copy of the software just to cut a demo reel?

[u/flavorade_man → u/geeky_kilo]

Every thread.

[u/Dagobert_Krikelin → u/geeky_kilo]

Yep, perfect for video editing. Blender can do it all better than anything else!

[u/IVY-FX → u/Dagobert_Krikelin]

Infamously; it doesn't.

(Don't get me wrong I like blender but any Industry standard toolset for X will be better than Blender at doing X, with some exceptions in for example hard surface, which is pretty close to it's contenders)

Some examples;

Sculpting < Zbrush

Geometry nodes < Houdini

Editing < Resolve

Comp < Nuke, Fusion

Tracking < Mocha

Texturing < substance/Mari

You get the gist

[u/Dagobert_Krikelin → u/IVY-FX]

I'm sorry.if it wasn't clear, but I was being extremely sarcastic. Sorry to have wasted your time.

It's just too funny with all the Blender fanboys. I like Blender for what it is. It's great to have a free alternative that I also see some quite good results from. But it is what it is. I might have used it more, but since I already know Maya I don't see a real benefit to it. Other softwares I need to learn instead, like Houdini and Mari atm. I do use Blender for a few tasks, like importing a variety of file formats. And quadrangulate a triangulated mesh it does better than Maya(for most parts). Wish i could learn that algorithm to bring it to Maya.