My approach was to ignore what the projects/stories were, cut up my favourite shots and try make something dope with it. I think your point about finding music you like is huge. I would add that music that is emotive helps a lot as it gives you an emotional thread to work with to creative some sort of narrative flow. Thanks for sharing.
Shoot for your reel - collaborate with others who are also at an early stage, like actors, and create something in the style of the projects you want to get. It doesn’t have to be paid work to be in a reel!
