Demo Reel

SQ · Post by SQ » Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:16 pm

I'm sure I asked something similiar to this a while back, but am at school right now so can't search for the thread. However, I believe the older thread had to do with the format of demo reels and not what was contained within them.

So, let's all remain serious here, and not jerk off with funny answers of "Oh it's just a hobby" and such.

What are things we can put on a demo reel? I am pretty sure we can't put in AMVs, but can we even put in any type of copyrighted music? Do we have to have royalty free musice?
What about GMVs or live-action movie music videos?

I'm sure flash music videos, if it contained royalty free music and our own animations would be okay, or if we kind of edited it not in Flash... Right?

I'm also hit on a cliff, here. I'd like to apply for a job but it says to give them a cover letter, a demo reel, and an example of your work.

What's the difference between a demo reel and examples of our work?
How do you even make a demo reel? Is it just little pieces of all your work put together?

Can someone give me some examples of demo reels, and maybe a website of how to make one, or just explain how to make one/what to put on it? I'm completely clueless in this area, and I'd like to look for a job while also looking at colleges/schools/apprenticeships, so it's not like I can wait until I'm actually in an official class to ask.

Also, as a sidenote, not really important.. If you were an employer looking for an editor, would you prefer a certifcate and an awesome demo reel, or a bachelor's degree and a mediocre demo reel?

Zarxrax · Post by **Zarxrax** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:36 pm

This is my favorite demo reel ever: http://www.nathanielhowe.com/Movies/wip_edit.mov

As you can see, people don't really care about copyrighted music or whatnot.

mikestrife · Post by **mikestrife** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:48 pm

All of the professional Demo reels I've seen were my teachers from college. They were all short selections of there work laced together. Almost like AMV hell, but without the hell. lol. But all I've seen is orginal work. Lots of original animation, art, and composition.

I've seen some demo reels with music I know the creator didn't have the rights too.

For me I think the most annoying thing would be explaining to an employer in an interview what an AMV is why it's in there.

mikestrife · Post by **mikestrife** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:51 pm

Sorry for the double post. Wanted to say in regards to your second questions.

A employer will always look for talent over credentials. But it might be slightly harder to get them to watch your demo reel without a degree or real world experience.

Nightowl · Post by **Nightowl** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 3:53 pm

When I made my demo reel I simply went with the classic clips with a theme set to some punchy music formula. Pretty much the same thing as Zarx's example. However, that particular demo reel is much nicer than the typical editor/director reel, coming from an animator. Mostly people just want to see short examples of what you can do. A demo reel should also be very quick, you don't want the viewer to get bored. It's good to have a theme backing the whole project (which should never exceed two minutes) that a client can relate to. If you put a lot of work into your reel it shows an employer that you care about the work.

A couple of side notes: creating demo reels is an industry in-and-of itself. There are people out there that do this for a living. Essentially, they have demo reels of demo reels. Also, on my most recent demo reel, I included some of my AMV work. I've held back from doing this for years, but it has gotten me work. I'm not sure what this says exactly, but I'm beginning to rethink my position on that front. As for a BA, I'll admit to being a college dropout and I still get plenty of work. In the film world, it's more who you know, then what you can do, then your credentials in academia. I wouldn't get 80% of the work I do without knowing people. The industry is a clusterfuck, to be certain.

And yes, you can use music you don't own the rights to. There is no monetary compensation and the audience is usually no more than two people. Nobody really questions the legality of it.

-N

rubyeye · Post by **rubyeye** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 4:11 pm

I'm (re) buliding my demo reel right now. Think of it as a commercial/trailer designed to promote ... you! Configure it to the job/position or skill you want to address.

If it's motion graphics then something like that "Nathaniel Howe" Zarxrax just posted would work.

If you thing is animation, have a look at The Light Works Demo posted at the bottom of their page.

If your thing is more like film/music videos (editing): check out the music video demo of Revolver Film Company by Patric Ullaeus.

For someone more our peer, Carlos Corral (Machine) has updated his demo at MindWarp Entertainment.

The best professional studio I would recommend for all kinds of editing is Belief, a 'broadcast design' studio in California.

One thing I will recommend above all else is keep it short. Ideally a demo reel should not be longer than 60-90 seconds (about a minute and a half). In that time employers will already get the idea of what your demo is selling. It can be longer depending on what you want/have to show but the shorter the better. Remember, these people may be watching dozens of demo reels from many candidates.

Regarding actual material, start with your most recent or best work first. And as far as structuring it, there are many different ways. You can label each clip if you like or just string it all together randomly, but most important of all --- don't forget to include your name/contact info and maybe your position/skill it is advertising.

Kusoyaro · Post by **Kusoyaro** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 4:25 pm

Nightowl wrote: A couple of side notes: creating demo reels is an industry in-and-of itself. There are people out there that do this for a living. Essentially, they have demo reels of demo reels.

Ha, a career that AMV-making is actually somewhat useful practice for!

BTW, that sig is so sexy.

[Mike of the Desert] · Post by **[Mike of the Desert]** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 4:26 pm

Mmm.. Sorry my ignorance here, but I would like to quit this hole I have in my mind..

What's exactly a Demo Reel? I'm quite interested

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 4:46 pm

<a href="http://www.animemusicvideos.org/members ... ghthawk</a> claims that his AMVs have actually helped him get jobs in the industry, so I'm assuming that means he put some on his own demo reel.

SQ · Post by SQ » Mon Dec 12, 2005 6:12 pm

Michele wrote:Mmm.. Sorry my ignorance here, but I would like to quit this hole I have in my mind.. What's exactly a Demo Reel? I'm quite interested

It's something you make to show how good you are at whatever you're applying for, kind of like an audition for video/editing/animation jobs...

VAs and actors have them too. XP

--

Thanks everyone for the information! Couple of new questions, though.
The job I'm applying for stated they wanted a demo reel and an example of our work on DVD. Would the best course of action to have one DVD for the demo reel and another for the example, or both on the same DVD? Or should I try to ask them?

And secondly, when I was in video production class, my teacher was especially impressed with the idea of lip synching anime to music/trailers/etc. I was wondering would those in the industry think the same, and should I submit something with lip synching in it, or would that just be stupid?
(My teacher had only worked in news broadcasting, though, if that makes any difference)