

Especially, where opportunities are limited.ĭo not follow the crowd, if you want to stand out. I never want to take the road travelled by most. Never mind that you are paying 3-5x the price you would normally pay for what is basically the same quality of food or that your rose looks like it is half wilting. In fact, with a limited budget, you should count yourself fortunate to get a table at just about any restaurant that evening and settle on a stalk of rose instead of a dozen. So how did I get in? I took the road less travelled.Įver tried to get a dinner reservation, a box of chocolates and some roses on February 14th? You’ll quickly realise that it gets expensive real quick and you don’t have many choices. That was way too niche back then for colleges. I didn’t have access to schools that taught game development or visual effects. I was told by everyone I spoke to in the industry that half the battle was getting into the industry. Questions like this drove me nuts when I started. Which came first? The impressive demo reel that will get you a job or the job that will get you an impressive demo reel? (While I write specifically about VFX and animation, this article could easily apply to games as well.) Take the Road Less Travelled So how did I do it? And more importantly, can you replicate this for yourself? Read on if you want to find out. In fact, it was not until almost a decade after I began my CG career, that I cut a demo reel. I was credited on movies such as Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol before I had a demo reel. My first job in the CG industry was with Lucasfilm and Industrial Light and Magic.
Digital compositor reel skin#
But there are many ways to skin the proverbial cat.īefore you decide to close your browser and move along. But that sounds controversial and flies against common internet forum wisdom.ĭemo reels are a critical component if you are looking at the problem one way. What if I told you, “ You DO NOT need a demo reel to work in VFX, animation, games or CG“? Not another “10 tips to create an amazing demo reel” or “19 mistakes why your demo reel isn’t getting you a job.” Got NO Demo Reel?

Let’s talk solutions to problems you and countless others face. So how do you get a job in the industry without a great demo reel? Let’s be real. But there isn’t anything addressing the reality for most people - if you are starting out, you don’t have outstanding material for a demo reel. There’s a lot out there to help you create an amazing demo reel. I get asked these questions all the time by aspiring VFX and games talent.Īt every CG conference, there is inevitably a panel giving demo reel feedback. “I am so discouraged and overwhelmed when I see these amazing demo reels online. However, before you get there, you must cross the hurdle of breaking into VFX / CG first. Regardless, the first time your work goes public is a major milestone in your CG career and you’ll never forget it. Seeing their emotional response to your work. Or perhaps something more intangible than a credit – seeing the work you have created being enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. Hurdles to break into VFX / CGįor you, it may be a game credit or an animation film credit. After all that hard work and determination to pursue a career in VFX. I distinctly remember my first screen credit and I shared that moment with my then girlfriend(who is now my wife). You’ve made it - your first screen credit. You feel a lump in the back of your throat as you hear the sounds of loud cheering in the theatre. Your name nestled amongst a list other highly talented artists. You scan the long list of alphabetically sorted names, making sure not to miss any one.įinally, you spot it.
Digital compositor reel movie#
In the darkness of the theatre, as the movie comes to an end, the credits roll. After trying to break into VFX for so long, imagine going to the studio screening of your first VFX / animation film.
