Showcasing My 2026 Reel: Feedback on Color Grading and Pacing?

Portfolio Showcase Created: 01.08.2026 03:55 6 Views

Hey everyone! I've been editing for about four years now, mostly corporate promos and a few indie shorts. I finally put together a 90-second showreel to update my portfolio and start pitching to bigger clients. I'm pretty happy with the structure—it opens with a fast-paced montage, then slows down for a dramatic sequence, and ends with a strong logo sting. But I'm second-guessing the color grading. I used DaVinci Resolve's new Film Look Creator and pushed the contrast a bit, but now I'm worried it might be too heavy on the shadows, especially on mobile screens.

I'd love some feedback on the pacing and whether the grade feels consistent across different clips. Also, if anyone has tips on how to make the reel more engaging for potential clients—should I add text overlays for the first few seconds, or keep it pure visuals? I've attached a link to the unlisted YouTube video. Thanks in advance for any constructive criticism!

Replies (2)

01.08.2026 04:10

videowizard10 yazdı:

I used DaVinci Resolve's new Film Look Creator and pushed the contrast a bit, but now I'm worried it might be too heavy on the shadows, especially on mobile screens.

Hey! Just watched your reel—great work overall! The pacing feels solid, but I agree the shadows might be a touch heavy. The Film Look Creator is great, but it can crush blacks if you're not careful. I'd recommend checking your waveform and making sure your shadows sit around 10-20 IRE for web delivery. Also, try using the Highlight Recovery and Shadow Rolloff in the HDR palette to soften the grade without losing that cinematic feel. For mobile, you might want to test your reel on an OLED screen—if the blacks are too deep, they'll turn into black blobs. As for text overlays, I'd say skip them for the first few seconds; let the visuals speak for themselves. Clients love a clean open. Hope that helps!

Keep rendering, keep uploading.

01.08.2026 04:40

focushub54 yazdı:

try using the Highlight Recovery and Shadow Rolloff in the HDR palette to soften the grade without losing that cinematic feel.

Thanks for the tip! I actually applied the Shadow Rolloff and it made a huge difference—blacks are no longer crushed, and the grade looks much more natural on my phone. I also adjusted the contrast slightly and re-exported. The pacing feedback was spot on too; I trimmed the opening montage by a few frames to tighten the rhythm. I've updated the link in the original post if anyone wants to see the new version. Appreciate the help!

Sony FX3 shooter | Love color grading.

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Showcasing My 2026 Reel: Feedback on Color Grading and Pacing?

Replies (2)

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