ethics on a demo reel

[gmask]

Technically it could be considered a copyright violation but in practice it never is a problem unless you were a large well known company like PIXAR.


In general though try to pick some unique music rather than the same song that has been used by 50 movie trailers. Most reviewers of reels at film places don't care about the music on your tape but if it's in the face or otherwise annoying it can be detractive.. avoid techno music.

If your reel is comprised of broadcast design and motion graphics then music is more important and it's great when the edit goe salong with the beat. Electronic music is more acceptable in that realm.

[uncon]

I've thought about this too, and there are several long threads in th general discussion section about it. Does the reel actually need music anyway? A lot of people don't listen to the sound anyway, and the music can be distracting especially if you choose something the viewer doesn't like. A lot of people hate techno music or loud rock music, if I put it on my reel then I am making a bad impression. If I choose a killer copyrighted song doesn't that sort of overpower my own stuff?

Loads of questions, I think I am going to leave music off my reel or get some silly app like Fruity Loops to make some generic simple tunes that play in the background.

It can take a long time for Lightwave to calculate dynamics...............

[NanoGator]

Well I'm not an ethics judge, but I can tell you that I personally don't have an issue with it. (Especially if you credit the artist..)

Personally, if a musician made himself a demo reel using my imagery, I'd be flattered. (Yeah that never happens, but I think it'd be cool for somebody to think my stuff compliments theirs...) I'd only be concerned if he presented it like he did it.

Anyway, I can only speak for myself.

[JoshD]

I've known multiple people who have written the artist and asked permission to use the music on the reel. That way you can't go wrong.

Also, by doing so, that artist actually does get the honor of knowing that it was used. Many probably wouldn't care, but I'm sure a large portion of people out there are still mystified and blown away when they see 3D. It never hurts to ask, and can only help. Unless they tell you no, that is... :)

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