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A reel that feels like you.

You don’t need to show everything. You need to show what makes you, you.

CHOPSTICKS FIELD NOTES · 3 min read
A reel that feels like you.

Start with the work you’re most excited to talk about. A short reel with a clear point of view often tells a more useful story than a long collection of unrelated clips. Think of it as an introduction to the kinds of projects you want to make next.

Make your contribution easy to understand. Were you the cinematographer, editor, performer, or production designer? Credit your collaborators and be specific about the role you played. Clarity gives the next person a good place to start a conversation.

Put your strongest moment near the beginning. Use excerpts you have permission to share, keep contact information easy to find, and watch the final export on both a phone and a larger screen. Invite a trusted collaborator to tell you what they remember.

Your reel can evolve with your practice. It doesn’t need to be the final word on your career. It just needs to open the next door.

Find your next chapter