It's that time of year again... The time when I look at my current reel
through finger covered eyes and cringe. That's
mainly as each year, like every artist your older work doesn't live up to your
current stuff. It's also means trying to
get footage etc out of this last 12 months clients that I can use in my
reel. now if that goes the way it
usually does, then by the time they actually clear me to use it, it'll either
be too late, or I'll have better stuff to use by then.
It's time to fire up the render engines and start rendering
some of the hellishly long render times I have ahead of me. I can't say I like that as it turns my office
into a sauna. I'm rendering everything
on a single machine as I cannot afford to tie up both (or my 'spare'...mainly
as my 'spare' is missing a graphics card at the moment lol.) I also like to keep a machine clear even when
works thin on the ground for doodles and making special things for a reel. I always like to throw a couple of things in
that haven't been widely seen.
My Advice for What its Worth:
Its less about making a reel people will go 'wow' over in
the 3d industry, but more a reel that people who actually hire me go 'wow' at. as nice as you all are, you don't pay my
wages so on that side of things a client or prospective clients opinion is far
more important. For those just starting
out making their 1st or 2nd reel I'll advise one thing. Forget what other artists think of you on
seeing your reel. They do not pay your
wages and are your direct competitors.
You have to make a choice right at the start when your mkaing a demo reel, are you want to impress other artists, or protential clients? If it is for clients then modesty is for another time, not for a reel that has the
sole purpose of selling yourself. You're
not making one so other artists like it, but rather so a potential client will
look at it and what to hire you over the next guy. While the quality of the actual models is of
prime importance there is nothing wrong with selling yourself. Do not listen to those who are either too scared
of what others will think if they 'sell themselves' or think that we should all sit
like humble monks doffing our hat to clients with modesty. There is a time for modesty, but when you are
trying to make a living is not one of them.
BUT!!!!....
There is such a thing as taking it too far. There's
a big difference between making the very best of what models, footage
and achievements you have and coming across as a total dick. By all means promote your big achievements
that you may have over competitors. But
do not proclaim yourself 'god of 3d' unless you want to sit wondering why your not
getting any work coming in. While I will
promote everything I can in my reels to the hilt (as my site is my shop
window), most people find when meeting
me or talking to me that I have a rather pragmatic view of my art and
career. While I am confident in what I
do, as you need to be as a professional artist, I like to think in real life or work situations that I come across
as a nice normal (ish) guy.
So finding that balance is crucial. So while I will use every trick in the book
to make my reel come across as the best thing since sliced bread (as should you
all as well), I feel I've got to a stage where my work and achievements speak
for themselves. For example while my
last proper reel was the one I made in about 2 hours for the Autodesk masters
award nearly 3 years back and was very 'pushy', my next one will be a bit more
laid back. Although while some other
artists detest that reel, clients ate it up. Although its prime purpose was
purely for that one event...it just stuck around a bit longer than i thought it
would lol.
Personally I know who
I see as being the more important people to impress.
Impressing your peers comes 2nd.
But remember what PT Barnum said
over a hundred years ago:
"You can please some of the people some of the time but you cannot please all of the people all of the time"
So my advice to those making a reel is to put your very best
foot forward, promote what you have as well as you can and the achievements you
may have made. But beware of that fine
balance.... on one side of the eternal razors edge are clients coming to hire you, on the other side is coming over as a total dick who no one would hire if you were the last artist alive. Walk the line with care.
