Hello there everybody, I'm writing to you from Erith. Bet you're wondering where that is aren't you? Well it's just about in south east London bordering on Kent.
Anyhoo has anybody got any tips on what makes a good showreel? Competition for animation work is pretty fierce in London and I've spend well over a year working on a short film that I planned to wow potential employers with, but have come to the realisation that it's not going to be that impressive and I can't wait any longer so thought I should focus my efforts on a cool reel.
Any advice is welcome!
Ta!
:)
Put your best and only your best work on your reel. And of your best work, put the best of that first. Don't put any crass animation on your reel unless you are appling to a studio that speciallizes in toilet humor. Keep it short. Three minutes max.
Aloha,
the Ape
...we must all face a choice, between what is right... and what is easy."
Along those same lines, just because they say they allow up to 5 minutes (some say 3), it doesn't need to be that long. I've got 2 years of experience (not a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, but much more than when I was leaving school) and a bunch of professional stuff as well as several shorts playing in Spike and Mike, yet my reel is only about 2 and 1/2 minutes. If you only have 1 minute of "Best" stuff, only put 1 minute on. If you find that a shot needs explanation or excuses it probably shouldn't go on your reel. Longer is NOT better.
And don't get too worked up about it. It's definitely an important part of the intereview/job process, but most will realise that you're just starting out and cut you some slack. Just don't abuse it. If you can show that you're half way competent then you have a chance. If it looks like you can only doodle stick figures with your non-dominate hand then you're in for a hard time (you'd be surprised some of the things people put on their reels).
Producing solidily ok animation since 2001.
www.galaxy12.com
Now with more doodling!
www.galaxy12.com/latenight
Thanks for the advice, I'd better get editing then! I've got a couple of good things I've worked on with a friend but as yet haven't got anything really 'finished' that's all my own! But like you said I'm just starting out so I'll try not to get too worried about it.
Thanks again!
Stuff you've worked on in a team is fine. Actually, many companies really dig it. It means you'll be able to work with in the group collective ("We are the WB. Prepare to be assimilated. Resistance is silly.")
When you submit your reel, be sure to send along a program list that tells what the project is, what software you used (or techniques), and what roll you had in making it. You probably won't need a synopsis of what the story was, just the techniques used to make it. Be specific and make it clear like your resume (a simple list instead of a paragraph is a good way to go). This should always be included with a reel.
Producing solidily ok animation since 2001.
www.galaxy12.com
Now with more doodling!
www.galaxy12.com/latenight
First few seconds of the reel are the most critical...