100 ways to get your demoreel rejected. A must read.

Filed Under Demo/Show Reels, CGQ Job Board, Studio Guidelines

I just threw away 147 demo reels. Why? Let’s be honest here. Because they sucked. I’m not saying this to be mean. It’s the truth. And I also don’t particularly like spending hours looking at demo reels that suck. I’d much rather look at good ones. Years ago, like four or five, demo reels used to be generally decent looking. They weren’t all gems by any means, but you had a pretty good spread of good ones, bad ones, in-between ones, and a few that kicked ass. In the last couple of years that ratio has been completely whacked out of all proportion. Out of 154 demo reels I tossed 147. Seven (7) were worth keeping. That’s about 5% or so.

Nowadays in the world of hundreds-of-graduates-annually from art and animation schools why are we seeing so many bad demo reels? Because (at least from where I sit) they’re teaching people how to use software and not how to be artists. In an effort to help would be animators save themselves from the demo reel junk pile (and especially me from a lot of headaches from watching them) I have jotted down a few things that anyone sending a demo reel should be aware of, at least if you’re sending a demo reel my way. One would think that this is common sense but judging from the number of reels that just went into the garbage I guess it isn’t.

Graduating from an animation school doesn’t make you an expert eligible for a $80,000 a year salary. I don’t care what they told you. If you’re new you start at the bottom (unless you are REALLY good) like anywhere else. If you’re experienced I shouldn’t have to tell you this. You should already know it.

I want to know EXACTLY what you did on that reel. If you did it all say so, if not then tell me what elements are yours.

Keep it short. Like about 2-3 minutes tops.

I don’t care what software you use. I’ve seen stuff done in Maya look like doo-doo and I’ve seen stuff done in Bryce look incredible. If you’re good enough we’ll train you. (unless we’re in a big hurry need someone already experienced)

If I see renders of canned scenes or tutorials –> Junk pile!

If I see other peoples work (and believe me, I’ll know) –> Junk pile!

If I see default textures/surfaces on everything –> Junk pile!

If I see low poly count geometry and faceting all over the place (as a demonstration of your genius of efficient modeling and animation) but that looks like crap –> Junk pile!

If I see default ambient lighting –> Junk pile!

Your demo reel should be your absolute best work and nothing else.

Look at where you hope to work and do your best to put material of that quality on your reel.

Take your time. What’s the hurry? There’s no time limit for demo reels. (Well, there is when we need people right away but that’s different.) There’s nothing that says you have to have a demo reel to us within two months of your graduation or whatever. If it takes 6 months to produce a good demo reel then fine, take 6 months! You won’t be under a deadline until you get here so enjoy your freedom! Take your time and do it right for God’s sake!

This may sound a bit harsh but it’s reality. No one here has time to screw around with half-assed work. If your demo reel doesn’t stand out from the other hundred or whatever we looked at that day, it’s going into the junk pile. Again, take your time and send us something cool. Believe me, if it’s good we’ll keep it! And the next time we’re hiring it’ll be one of the first pulled out and looked at.

Okay, I’m done now.

Bob Cazzell
REZN8 > Hollywood CA
www.rezn8.com