2009General Discussion forum
Best practices for operator portfolio websites and video hosting
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- A website makes it easy for potential clients to access demo reels immediately without waiting for physical media to arrive
- Demo reels should prominently feature the strongest work in the opening shots since hiring decisions are often based on the first two shots shown
- Demo reels should be kept relatively short because viewers typically have limited attention span, especially when reviewing multiple candidates
- Navigation buttons and text should be large and graphic-based rather than small text links for better usability and design flexibility
- Quicktime video encoded with H.264 codec using 'Prepare for internet streaming' and 'Fast Start - compressed header' settings provides good quality and compatibility for embedded web video
- Flash video embedding offers consistent quality and file size control while remaining compatible with most computers
- Demo reel content should focus exclusively on steadicam-specific shots that clearly demonstrate technical skill
- A personal name domain is easier for clients to remember and find than company name domains with multiple possible spellings and extensions
- Include a formal resume or experience section listing past work with company logos or examples of specific projects
- Test website design and video playback across different browsers, computers, and mobile devices to identify compatibility issues
Depends on
- This discussion occurred in 2009 when Flash was still widely used and HTML5 video was not yet standard
- Some participants mentioned using older video formats and host sites that may no longer be current
- Video codec compatibility issues and preferences varied significantly depending on the individual's technical setup and target audience
- One user reported poor experience with Vimeo hosting due to technical issues and slow upload times
- Mobile device compatibility was noted as an emerging concern but not yet fully addressed by Flash-based solutions