Behind the Scenes: Crafting My Animated Resume

For those interested, I'm about to take you on a wild ride through the making of my animated resume video! I might have mentioned this before, but let's face it, doing the same old thing gets monotonous. So, why not shake things up a bit and dive into something new? Trust me, it’s just what the doctor ordered. Let’s get to it!

Why do it?

The idea first hit me when I started questioning whether my resume was even getting noticed. Was anyone actually reading it? Was it showcasing my skills and experience effectively? How could I better share it on LinkedIn? So, I figured it was time for a change. Am I saying everyone should create an animated video? No, but we should all find something that makes us stand out. It's about utilizing your skill set to best pitch yourself to a prospect or employer.

It starts with the script

First, I got to work scripting the dialogue. Being in Nova Scotia might seem like a job search handicap, especially compared to larger markets like Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver, but I decided to embrace it and turn it into a unique selling point. I had my character kick things off by welcoming viewers to Nova Scotia, complete with a background reminiscent of the Halifax boardwalk. Then, I dove into my introduction and pitch.

I started by outlining what I wanted to share, drawing most of the script from my resume. Writing it wasn’t too tough, but I did shuffle things around a bit to improve the flow. If you plan on doing something similar, remember to highlight your accomplishments. It’s more important than just restating what’s on your resume. Put yourself in the viewer's shoes and aim to make it entertaining—at least as entertaining as pitching yourself can be. Once I was satisfied with the script, I moved on to recording.

Voice over dilemma

I spent about four hours behind the mic, but alas, my takes sounded like I was boasting. Now, maybe it was just me, but it didn’t sit right. What I was initially going for was someone introducing me and my skill set. Almost like a testimonial. Enter AI voice generators! After some experimenting, I found a decent option from Eleven Labs. It’s not perfect, but it does the job.

Next came the music. I dove into YouTube’s copyright-free library, and after what felt like a million tracks, I found one that was upbeat and happy—perfect for the video’s vibe. I didn't realize it until later but it has a real Bob's Burger theme sound to it.

The creative arts

Now, let’s talk background art. I used my iPad and Procreate to draw it out, layer by layer. Referencing a bunch of images and my memories of the boardwalk, I created a background that I’m pretty proud of. This part was slow and steady but super satisfying. If you have not been to the Halifax Boardwalk, it's worth a visit, book yourself a trip!

The character design was the most time-consuming part. Using Adobe Illustrator, I drew the character in separate parts for easier animation—head, mouth, eyes, eyebrows, you name it. It’s a meticulous process, but if you want to learn more, there are a number of YouTube tutorials, that walk you through each step.

I recommend -

Once completed, I imported everything into Adobe Character Animator. That’s where the real magic happened.

The character comes to life

Character Animator allows you to import the audio into your project and syncs it with the character’s mouth movements. While it’s not flawless, it does a decent job. You can go frame by frame to tweak it, but that’s a massive time sink. I also added animated arm movements and hand gestures to enhance different situations and emphasize key points. The great thing about Character Animator is that you can puppeteer the character using key presses, making the animation process much smoother and more interactive.

Once all the animations were in place, I brought everything into Adobe Premiere. Here, I added slide-ins, audio effects, and fades to polish the final product. These finishing touches helped the project come together beautifully, creating a seamless and professional-looking video. If you haven’t seen the finished product yet, check out the video above.

In conclusion, sometimes stepping out of the norm and trying something new is exactly what you need. This project was a fantastic learning experience, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out. Thanks for joining me on this creative journey and hopefully you pulled something helpful from this post! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to drop me a line or comment below. Let's get the conversation going!

Cristian Ibanez, formerly a Senior Web Developer at The Show and Tell Agency, continues to apply his extensive web development expertise in new and exciting ventures. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Cristian remains deeply engaged with the tech and creative communities. He is also the passionate founder of ToyBeast.ca, a premier destination for toy enthusiasts and collectors, where his love for technology intersects with his fascination for the intricate world of collectible toys.