Various Links
posted by Peter at 6:41 PM
0 comments
Monday, June 26, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
My thoughts after reading through the links below:
The Reel
The reel is not just a reel, it's a cover letter, an application form and a resume too, be sure to submit your work the way the company want to receive it. Make sure you proof-read everything, run spell checks, have your friends and family to read everything written to make sure that everything is written in good, proper, understandable English.
Always be honest with your skills and resume, never exaggerate anything, if you are honest and precise you show the company that you are a person they want to work with. Also, don’t invent your own production company, or have flimsy personal logos (unless they are a part of a VFX reel, and really good of course.)
The TOC/Credit list/Shot breakdown should explain what you did in that particular shot, not which program you used.
Editing
Display proper contact information in beginning and at the end of the reel, most often the people reviewing it wont rewind just to see your email address/phonenumber. Give them a honest chance to write it down before and after the reel. You should also explain what you are applying for, and don’t ever change the title just because a company at the time does not seek modellers (or whatever). An animation reel sent in with the title “modelling reel” sucks, end of story. Be honest and they will remember you when they seek modellers again.
The reel should not be longer than 3 minutes. Preferably shorter, and be sure to show your best stuff right at the beginning. It is also good to show your most recent work early on.
Most professionals that review reels do so with low volume or no sound at all. Music is not necessary. Sound at all is not needed, unless, you’re showing your Lip-syncing/ “animation with sound” skills.
Give your work the time it is worth, no less and no more. Don’t edit the reel like a music video, with the exception of the rare ocation that youre applying as an editor for MTV. Don’t cut back and forth between your different clips, it distracts. Also, there is no need for fancy transitions and cool effects with the titles. Show good solid titles in good solid fonts that people are used to read, and be sure they match up with the titles in the TOC/shot breakdown.
When showing models on turntables, spin it around once, and not longer than 180 frames, the people watching knows good work without repetition.
Be sure to only show your best. Delete weak work. If in doubt, leave it out. If you really don’t have content to make a reel, don’t. Send in a portfolio of your work, in some cases it is just as effective.
Format/submission
Most studios prefer reels on DVD or VHS, make sure it is playable on any type of player, and don’t send an URL to the reel unless they request one.
Finally
Take your time to polish the reel, now is not the time to rush anything. Have a few people review it, it is easy to become blind of flaws in ones own work. Make several different editions and see which works better.
When applying to smaller studios, make sure to contact them personally and follow up on the reel. When targeting bigger studios, most have recruitment forms on their homepages, and don’t ever expect any feedback from a large studio.
The reel is not just a reel, it's a cover letter, an application form and a resume too, be sure to submit your work the way the company want to receive it. Make sure you proof-read everything, run spell checks, have your friends and family to read everything written to make sure that everything is written in good, proper, understandable English.
Always be honest with your skills and resume, never exaggerate anything, if you are honest and precise you show the company that you are a person they want to work with. Also, don’t invent your own production company, or have flimsy personal logos (unless they are a part of a VFX reel, and really good of course.)
The TOC/Credit list/Shot breakdown should explain what you did in that particular shot, not which program you used.
Editing
Display proper contact information in beginning and at the end of the reel, most often the people reviewing it wont rewind just to see your email address/phonenumber. Give them a honest chance to write it down before and after the reel. You should also explain what you are applying for, and don’t ever change the title just because a company at the time does not seek modellers (or whatever). An animation reel sent in with the title “modelling reel” sucks, end of story. Be honest and they will remember you when they seek modellers again.
The reel should not be longer than 3 minutes. Preferably shorter, and be sure to show your best stuff right at the beginning. It is also good to show your most recent work early on.
Most professionals that review reels do so with low volume or no sound at all. Music is not necessary. Sound at all is not needed, unless, you’re showing your Lip-syncing/ “animation with sound” skills.
Give your work the time it is worth, no less and no more. Don’t edit the reel like a music video, with the exception of the rare ocation that youre applying as an editor for MTV. Don’t cut back and forth between your different clips, it distracts. Also, there is no need for fancy transitions and cool effects with the titles. Show good solid titles in good solid fonts that people are used to read, and be sure they match up with the titles in the TOC/shot breakdown.
When showing models on turntables, spin it around once, and not longer than 180 frames, the people watching knows good work without repetition.
Be sure to only show your best. Delete weak work. If in doubt, leave it out. If you really don’t have content to make a reel, don’t. Send in a portfolio of your work, in some cases it is just as effective.
Format/submission
Most studios prefer reels on DVD or VHS, make sure it is playable on any type of player, and don’t send an URL to the reel unless they request one.
Finally
Take your time to polish the reel, now is not the time to rush anything. Have a few people review it, it is easy to become blind of flaws in ones own work. Make several different editions and see which works better.
When applying to smaller studios, make sure to contact them personally and follow up on the reel. When targeting bigger studios, most have recruitment forms on their homepages, and don’t ever expect any feedback from a large studio.
posted by Peter at 2:28 PM
0 comments
