I am looking to begin applying to different graduate schools and wanted to know, what best way I should go about creating my reel/portfolio...Any specific types of formats or suggestions would help tremendously...Thanks!

What are you applying for? Cinematography? Editing? Directing?

wow, it's amazing a new round is already starting. crazy how the cycles goes.

Each school has a different requirement but for the most part DVD NTSC is the standard. They usually ask to see 10-15 minutes worth of work. Show your best stuff whether it's segments of longer pieces or entire short/s.

Moved to the grad school forum.

I am not sure I guess directing

well if its directing, then you dont really have any other strategy other than successfully projecting an entire story.

this would be entire short films and such.

demo reels to me are more like what editors and cinematographers use in order to show what they can do with imagery.

a director manages the film as a whole and you can not really see that by seeing bits and pieces, in my own honest opinion.

keep it simple and author a dvd that has a collection of your best work within the amount of time given to you.

best,

Great, Thanks for the advice!