If you want to learn animation online, you need more than just technical skills and software. You also need a way to showcase your work and impress potential clients or employers. That's why creating a professional portfolio and demo reel is essential for any online animator. In this article, we'll show you how to do that in six easy steps.
The first step is to select the pieces of animation that you are most proud of and that demonstrate your range of skills and styles. Don't include everything you've ever done, but focus on quality over quantity. Aim for about 10-15 samples that are relevant to the type of animation you want to do, whether it's 2D, 3D, motion graphics, or something else.
I would like to add that a strong Demo reel should have a lip sync scene that shows strong acting, a scene that’s action heavy, and a fun scene that shows your style/ personality. A good rule of thumb to organize your demo reel is to keep your strong pieces first (to capture the audience’s attention), your least strongest pieces in the middle, and your second strongest pieces last.
Curate your reel carefully to match the specific work you aim for. You must understand the differences between a game and a features reel, noting distinct requirements for submissions to Weta/ILM versus Disney/Dreamworks. Recruiters look for elements that directly fit project needs; for example, if a production needs a deer walking scene, expect HR to seek it on your reel. Many recruiters may require a more nuanced technical understanding, so a straightforward approach is wise. Follow the "give the monkey the banana" principle: make it easy for recruiters by aligning your reel with their requirements for a smoother placement process.
Some suggestions for you - - Try to split your demo reel into separate pieces (body mechanics, lip syncs, cinematics, gameplay etc.) so you can tailor the reel to the studio you apply at. -If you are using music on your reel keep it neutral and non-distracting (instrumental track ideally) -Keep it to a reasonable length, between 1-2 mins -If working with mocap - try and include a before and after cleanup for comparison
- keep it short (around 90ish seconds) - music is nice but ultimately not too important - put your best work first, if it isnt impressive within the first 20 seconds, they wont look at the rest of the reel. - be clear about your role, and the tools you used if applicable - would be nice to show a screen capture of something under the hood because anyone can take a clip from anywhere and edit it into a reel, you need proof you did work on it. - most importantly, get permission from your employers beforehand.
I like to keep my portfolio sweet and simple. Each section focuses on a separate skill relating to my job. For example, as a 3D artist I will make a section specifically about Composition and add my best work that best represents this section. It is always important to have a variety of pieces to your portfolio. It is also perfectly normal to upload some of your bad work as you can use it as a case study from where you were to where you are now and employers love this.
The next step is to organize your work in a logical and appealing way. You can use categories, genres, themes, or chronological order to group your samples. Make sure to label each piece with a title, a brief description, and the software or tools you used. You can also include some details about your role, your process, or the challenges you faced in each project.
The best way to present your portfolio online is to create a website that showcases your work and your personality. You can use a free or paid platform, such as WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, or Behance, to design and host your website. Make sure to choose a template that suits your style and genre, and that is easy to navigate and responsive on different devices. You can also add some pages about yourself, your services, your contact information, and your testimonials.
A demo reel is a short video that highlights your best and most recent work in a dynamic and engaging way. It's like a trailer for your portfolio, and it's what most clients or employers will watch first. To make a demo reel, you need to edit your samples into a sequence that lasts about 1-2 minutes, and that showcases your skills, creativity, and diversity. You can also add some music, sound effects, transitions, and titles to enhance your reel.
An animation demo reel is more than just a showcase of your technical skills. It's also a showcase for your narrative skills and overall creative eye. Take the time to craft a demo reel that brings the viewer on a journey across your work, incorporating transitions or custom graphics to tie it all together. Edit to the music so that the viewer feels more immersed and it more likely to watch the entire reel.
Once you have your demo reel ready, you need to upload it to a platform that allows you to share it easily and widely. You can use YouTube, Vimeo, or Dribbble, depending on your preference and audience. Make sure to optimize your video for the web, and to include a catchy title, a clear description, and some relevant tags. You can also embed your reel on your website and your social media profiles.
The final step is to keep your portfolio and reel updated and fresh. You don't want to show outdated or irrelevant work that doesn't reflect your current skills and goals. You should review your portfolio and reel regularly, and add new samples or remove old ones as needed. You should also update your website and your platforms with any changes in your contact information, services, or testimonials.
In my experience, a new reel every year works well to keep your work updated and your clients on the loop on what you’ve been working on. Additional benefits are that you can see your progress comparing the work you’ve done from previous years. Finally, it’s always a great way to reach your older clients and show them what’s new while asking if you can help them in any other projects. It almost always help when trying to land new work.