How to Animate Your Way to 'Reel' Success!

?Recruiters check out tons of demo reels daily, so you have around 30 seconds to grab their attention.

?? A few weeks ago Nicolas Canot added this comment on one of my posts:

"I would be curious to know a little more about your approach to recruiting a 3D animator, particularly a senior one. What are you looking for in a demo reel specifically for an animator? In what order? Personal work, professional work?"

My comment response:

Great question! The approach could vary based on the studio I am working at, the needs of the hiring manager, and the professional experience (to identify the level) of the candidate. I think this question deserves more exploration—I'll write an article about it!

Before I get into details, let's visit these 2 past articles to get the basics out of the way, don't worry, I will wait for you to come back. ??

?? Demo Reels.

?? 5 Tips on improving your resume and demo reel for landing an interview.

Ok, now that we know the basics, ready to dive in?

Let's start with the top 3 key elements recruiters look for:

?? Strong Fundamentals

Demonstrate a solid understanding of animation principles, such as timing, spacing, weight, anticipation, squash and stretch, and follow-through. Essential areas to include are body mechanics, pantomime, and lip sync. (basically, all the stuff your teacher covered back in school.)

?? Variety and Range

Include a range of animation styles (realistic, cartoony, stylized) to show versatility. Feature different scenarios like action sequences, subtle acting, dialogue, and complex interactions = various styles and techniques indicates adaptability.

?? Technical Proficiency

Show that you are proficient with industry-standard software and tools. This includes software like Maya, MotionBuilder, 3D Studio Max, and Unreal Engine. If you have motion capture experience, including Xsens, feature it prominently.

??HOT TIPS:

?? Tailor your reel to the job you’re applying for. If the role focuses on game animation, highlight your experience in that area. For film or VFX, focus on cinematic animations. (RESEARCH the studio!!!)

?? Ensure that every piece in your reel is polished and consistent in quality. It's better to have a few high-quality pieces than a longer reel with mixed-quality work. Begin and end with your strongest work, and prioritize professional projects over personal ones, unless you are a student.

Hey Viv, can we dig a bit deeper? HOW can I create a more well-rounded animation demo reel?

Studios value animators who can convey emotion and personality effectively through their characters’ movements and expressions, therefore, adding a VARIETY of work is the key to showcasing your skills.

? Body Mechanics (walk cycles, coordinated movement).

One of the best sources of reference for walks is The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams. (you can find it on Amazon)

The grandfather of locomotion, Eadweard Muybridge has plenty of books you can reference for studies of human and animal motion. (psstt... do yourself a favor and google him!)

? Non-verbal communication (pantomime).

BlueSky Studios mastered the pantomime with their "Scrat" character. They were able to tell engaging stories from 2002-2016 with a non-verbal creature and his love for acorns.

?? Fun Fact: Did you know that actor Doug Jones is both a contortionist and a mime artist? His training allows him to portray non-human creatures with stunning movement and storytelling, even under heavy makeup and visual effects.

? Acting and Lip Synch.

? Character Interaction.

The scene below from Wreck-It Ralph is a great example of acting, lip-synch, and character interaction. Pay special attention to the zombie, who in my opinion, won the scene for best everything! ??

? Creature and Mechanical Animation.

Include animals, insects, aliens, amorphous creatures, robots, etc. When I think of mechanical objects conveying emotions like loneliness, curiosity, and love that gave me "the feels", Pixar's Wall-e takes the cake. It's also a great example of the power of pantomime in storytelling.

?? Final Advice:

Enroll in acting classes, utilize video references, study yourself in the mirror, and cultivate observational skills. Develop a backstory for your character or creature, identifying unique and non-cliché quirks or mannerisms. Keep in mind that these suggestions serve as guidelines, recognizing that "one size doesn’t fit all." Each studio and hiring manager has their preferences, so keep experimenting, stay persistent, be patient, and continue refining your demo reel so you can land that dream job!

Observe, act, plan, and animate with purpose.

?? Challenge: Instead of clicking on an emoji, add a comment! What are your favorite animations that fit in those categories? Share your links and lets get inspired!

?? Like my career tips? ring the ??at the top right side of my profile.

?? If you are looking for further guidance, I offer 15-minute demo reel reviews for $30. You can book a session with me via my calendly.

?? I am #OpenToWork = Are you looking for a senior recruiter in Vancouver, BC, or remotely anywhere else? Let's chat! *USA/Canada dual citizen. You can learn more about me here: ? https://lnkd.in/gEQp4ygB

#animation #vfx #games #recruiterAdvice #hotTipFriday #demoReels #animationDemoReels