#Demo Reels…
4 messages in this thread
PMJI, from a thread in IPAS:
>> People reviewing demo reels are looking for a few good animations,
>> they don't like to watch >3 minute reels.
Having sent you two different 3-4 minute reels, with some of the animation
over a year old (filler), I feel a little embarrassed. <g> Obviously someone
in your position can grasp a lot quickly from a tape. However, I feel there
are valid reasons for going the extra length under certain circumstances…
In the market I'm in, there just aren't very many artistically-inclined
production people (at least from looking at what gets produced here), let alone
3-D artistically-inclined ones. Then there are the clients themselves. I've
actually gotten jobs based directly on the crappiest part of my tape! Should I
remove it?!? I never know what's going to impress someone! (I learned early
not to criticize my work in front of clients, unless they begin the critique.)
More importantly, many folks in town just can't seem to make the creative
leap from a few sample animations to what I can do for them. Or worse, they
expect me to create their animation for nothing, to see if they like it. Their
rationale is that I've never done *exactly* what they need. Then they complain
because the preview isn't as impressive as a finished piece, and often back
out. Well, I might as well use the preview on my reel, I figure. Having a
wide variety of animations helps fend off the potential weasels.
On my reel I use a great song off of a friend's latest CD release. I tell
myself it's God's will for my animation to match the length of Dan's song. <bg>
FWIW, your probably sick to death of Bones Pro cows, but boy do they ever
impress ad agencies with clients in the dairy industry! <g>
On another note, and this is a general rant to the forum as a whole, is it
common for California companies to ask for demo reels and never acknowledge
their receipt, then ignore follow-ups?
Again, maybe I'm burning out people in your position by my demo's length.
And maybe my skills aren't up to snuff, although I've received very favorable
feedback from people outside of my region too. I've sent reels everywhere
else in the country for freelance work, and always get a reply, and quite often
an offer. Is it just the higher volume in California? How is a person to know
what is or isn't cutting it on their demo tape from an insider's viewpoint if
they don't get their work acknowledged, let alone critiqued? (Rant mode off)
Paul S.
RE: No ack from demo tape submissions.
Many more of my demo reels have disappeared down black holes after being sent
out than have fostered return inquiries. You can call and leave messages on
voice mail till your blue in the face and these lord-high mucky-muck stooges
will never get back to you. Personally I'd rather have someone tell me to look
for wark at McDonald's <g> than to get no response at all. All I can say is
"what goes around, comes around" and karma will catch up to these birds some
day.
On the other hand, those that do get back to you are ofter helpful and
encouraging, even if they don't have something for you right now. These guys
are jewels and greatly appreciated.
Anyway, don't feel like the Long Ranger. I've been looking for work since Jan
and haven't yet connected. I just keep hacking away.
BP
Paul,
having a longer than 5 minute reel wouldn't disqualify an animator, but it
doesn't need to be that long to get the job. Sometimes there's a tendency to
put everything on there, even old sub-standard stuff, to fill up the tape.
That's a mistake.
>> is it common for California companies to ask for demo reels and never
acknowledge their receipt, then ignore follow-ups? <<
I don't know, but I think it is. FWIW, I've sent lots of reels out before and
heard nothing. I just figured if they didn't respond they weren't interested.
That's not a problem for me. MetroLight's official policy is to send a
follow-up "form" letter to prospective artists, but what would that tell you?
It certainly isn't a detailed critique of your material. There's no way it
would be possible to do that for everyone – it would be a full time job in
itself. I/we may have slipped up on several occasions in sending the form
letter and I apologize for that. In your case I haven't had a chance to review
your second tape but will this week – that's why I haven't responded to your
e-mail yet. Sorry about the delay and I will give my comments by e-mail.
Martin
Martin,
>> FWIW, I've sent lots of reels out before and heard nothing. I just
>> figured if they didn't respond they weren't interested
That's my usual stance, but last month I was mailing tapes out to California
during the Unabomber scare… there was some question as to whether or not
they'd even get through. (No, they weren't ticking!)
>> Sorry about the delay and I will give my comments by e-mail.
I received them, thanks very much! I certainly don't *expect* a critique from
people in your position, but thought that since we had chatted a few times here
and in e-mail you might make an exception. <g> Again, thanks much. 🙂
Paul S.