Demo Reel Research

This is one of my favorite demo reels. It features a lot of character animation and the mastery in portraying thoughts and emotions. This animator's real demonstrates her ability to know her characters from the inside-out and her firm understanding and use of the basic principles of animation. This is also a rather long demo reel, but it never gets old or boring to me. The music works great with the reel as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlXGzUouqjE
I would like my reel to show skills in that area among other things.
This real has a variety of animation types.
That one also seems to be a bit long. I think 2 minutes is the best amount of time for a reel.

This reel also has a lot of traditional animation showing the portrayal of emotions, but much shorter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a2-o3w6Jqs&feature=related

The transitions from rough animation to clean colored animation are nice.

I'm not crazy about the opening text. That text is cheesy and so it hurts the presentation as it makes it look less professional. A more low key text would work better. The music also seems to take away from the reel.

This reel has a nice variation of 2D animation.

It has strong work, interesting characters, and the editing works nicely. The music fits with the reel's content and does not distract from the animation. There is also a nice variety of aesthetics and styles. I don't think the space men fit in too well into the reel because the other clips of animation look like stronger work.

Unpacking Jobs

Well the first job I looked at among my classmates' blogs and found interesting was 2D ANIMATOR: KABAM STUDIOS that Mike posted. I found this studio appealing to me because it mainly focuses on traditional 2D animation and are searching for people who know how to traditionally animate and traditional 2D animation is without a doubt my favorite type of animation and I love doing it. I like the fact that the company mentions that someone who'd work with them would ought to know who Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, or Richard Williams are. Those are some of my favorite animators and I am a big fan of the pioneers of animations.
I'm not sure if I'd fit into "gaming" animation though. I've never been a big video game player like most of my animation friends so I suppose gaming animation is something I should read into to get a better understanding. I don't know flash, but the studio is looking for the willingness to learn, and character design skills and some 3D animation experience is a plus. I don't have 4+ years of traditional animation experience at a gaming company either. I'm not too hot on the idea of moving to another state. I want to be able to start a career at home if anyway possible. The film industry is bombing in LA because of the taxes are low. Not only are films being shot is LA, post production studios are being permanently established which will create more jobs in the area and maybe attract other types of studios. Here is a link to an articlr about another company planting a studio in New Orleans very similar to the studio that just opened near my house in Covington. http://www.wwl.com/pages/9072219.php
I think it is a good idea to look at studios outside of my home state so I can get a better idea of what kind of job is best for me.
Okay, so I had to look at Pixar. Who wouldn't? One thing that Pixar expects of a demo reel is that it demonstrates application of the principles of animation to tell a story with meaning through movement. And again, my knowledge and experience with using traditional animation would help me out if I were to apply for this job. I'm surprised that computer animation experience is not even required even though it is preferred. So if I were to apply, my 2D animation will be my strong point since I have not much experience with 3D rigging. I definitely need more experience in 3D animation though. I'm all about emotions and expressions in my drawings and animation. I should make sure I include animation in my reel that demonstrates my skills in expressing thought and emotion through my characters.
Of course a job at Disney would be a dream for me and for most animators. I couldn't begin to count how many times people have told me that I should work for Disney. The Talent Development Artist Program seems to be freaking awesome and something to consider because it is only 3-6 months and I'd get paid to learn!! A firm understanding of animation principles is expected, which is something I love to study and strive to accomplish in my animation. Practice, practice, and practice is what I need indeed. I want to have quantity and quality work to put onto demo reels so that I can demonstrate my knoweledge and use of these principles.
All this research is getting me excited about making my demo reel!!! I think I have some nice pieces of animation to put into it.
The research I've done has also given me a good idea of what should go on my reel. I should make an outline of what I think my demo reel should consist of and how much of what I put in it.

Goals for Tuesday

By Tuesday I plan to finish my revisions for "Undressed." If I execute all of the revisions and editing needed, I will be a week ahead of my schedule! I will also do research on short animations to get an idea what kind of sounds I need for the piece. I honestly feel that I'm on point, but there is absolutely no time to spare, so I cannot slack off in any way. It just takes good time management to be able to work on my BFA project, my homework, and BFA work.

Meeting with Gadsby

My meeting with Gadsby went great. We talked about my internship and freelance experiences I had last summer and we talked about the networking that I have been building. Gadsby thinks that my networking skills come to me very naturally as I have made I lot of connections through my internship, my freelance experience, and my willingness to meet potential employers. So, I'm on the right start and Gadsby gave me some helpful information about job searching, which I am reading at the moment. I also need to complete a resume to send to Gadsby. I'm going to complete more than one template and the information she gave me sure helps getting it done. Since I've had much experience in the professional world this past summer, I'll have plenty to add to my resume and portfolio.
I think this meeting with Gadsby is just the extra boost I need to get a kick-ass resume and portfolio together and to broaden my network.

Friday

Today is a new day. A fresh start and the weather is nice. I may just eat lunch outside while I break from my work. I'm going see Gadsby at 11 and then handle a few other things at the business office and then I'll go to Burkes to get some of my Gothic Literature books.
I'll probably will eat after that and then get started on Senior Studio homework and then work on my BFA project. I think if I can get in enough work done this weekend, I can get a week ahead of schedule!!
I'm also ready to work on my Artist Statement, since I wrote my proposal last night. I need to see Meredith during her office hours so I can get it approved.
I have also scheduled out and marked down all of my BFA deadlines and meetings.

Other Things

I need to research what makes a good demo reel, what skills and programs are being asked for, and how I can attain these programs, learn them, and broaden my skills. I failed to do the amount of research needed so I need to do a better job by researching the the things I need to know. I need to look deeper into what is generally expected of a professional in these different careers. I gotta get my shit together. I'm learning from my mistake and I'm going to improve.

possible jobs

1. Freelance for David Cardwell Productions, Robert Berning Productions, So It Goes Productions
2. Digital FX- visual effects animation, assistant, internship
3. Bayou FX- digital animation, assistant, internship

I need a terrific demo reel and resume.