NanoGator's Demo Reel (version 1...)

[nismoS132]

don't mind if i say the entire piece feels a little slow paced and the music's a little OT.

[NanoGator]

Yep, you're right, it's a little slow to get started.
The music's OT? You know, I haven't explored the music bit enough.. could you go into a little more detail about what you mean?

[ghopper]

Never seen the ferion cannon/laser animated - looks sweet - now it just needs to fire a test shot ;)

But I would change the beginning a bit. Rather than displaying your details so long at the start why not show it longer at the end. The user might get bored the way it is now.

Also, if this demoreel is the version you are showing to potential employers, maybe you should lower the compression a bit. On some parts ( iMove camera ) some artifacts were visible and also some subtle flickering. Don't know whether some employers pay attention to that.

RE: Music
The music was ok, but maybe a bit repetitive. I've seen other demoreels where commercial tracks were used, don't know wether they've asked for permission first to use those tracks or something, but if it's enough to just display a copyright notice, maybe that would be an option for you, in case you decide to change the music. Otherwise there are a lot of artists on mp3.com ;)

Anyway, you've got some solid skills which will surely get you a job - just don't give up ;)

[Beamtracer]

Nanogator, I always liked your avatar. It's just a simple sketch but it shows lots of character.

[nismoS132]

Originally posted by NanoGator
Yep, you're right, it's a little slow to get started.
The music's OT? You know, I haven't explored the music bit enough.. could you go into a little more detail about what you mean?

i just felt the music didn't seem to fit the reel, it had a sort of rock (or other genre) feel to it, but the video was slow paced, so i get mixed sensations.

i also think the little billboard at the beginning takes up too much time. i think 2-3 secs would be enough.

the moving cannon is nice, but i think you shouldn't spend that much time showing the fingers twitching, i was half-expecting it to actually shoot, it felt like it was charging up and adjusting it's aim.

a faster spiny on the microscope/camera (?) would be nice.

not really sure what to say about the drawings though.

[roguenroll]

well not knowing, by a long shot what houses look for, I would have to agree in principal in a few of the point above.

1st that engine thing looks great in action, I was waiting for it to fire (maybe a little late, but maybe one for the future). regardless that thing rotating etc, looks great, scale is excellent.

I would probably throw in a few more things if you have them, maybe more close ups of the detail, some of the turn arounds are good but maybe a little too long.

Music, hmmm, maybe something more upbeat, hard to say, its goona depend on the person watching. never know, some may not listen to demo w/ volume.

Content IS king, I've heard that much, your models are detailed, good stuff.

Intro banner probably too long, throw it at the end, get right into
the content 2ithin 5 secs or so.

Good luck

check Flay there a few Cal jobs now

[NanoGator]

@ghopper: Doh! I forgot to credit the music! rats rats rats. Sorry about that. It's from Boston Public. (Good show on Fox btw....) I need to find some royalty free music to use. I'll give Mp3.com a go once my computer's back on the net.

Yeah I made the intro a little too long. I rushed that bit. The good news is it gives me a little room to add s'more stuff.

@Wanker: hehe thanks. :) I enjoyed making it. There really isn't much of a story behind it, was just playing around with the gif animation tools that come with PS7.

@nismoS132: hehe sorry I let you down with the cannon. I wanted to make it fire but I'm still sussing out the effect. (Not to mention that I was in a bit of a crunch to get v1 of the demo reel done before heading south...) Version 2 is in development now, I'll keep that in mind.

@roguenroll: Hmmm... I chose that music for a couple of reasons. 1.) It's the perfect demo reel length. (In the same vein, it is great for showing short clips...) 2.) Since most of the work here is modelling, I felt it was a nice pace for showing that. It would have seemed wierd to go with something faster paced considering the lack of action in it. Hmm did I make a bad call? Comments appreciated!

I really appreciate the crits, I'm going to see what I can do about addressing them.

[private]

I would go with no music at all.

It's way too slow, especially in the beginning. I would also start out with the default grey shots and move to the textured shots. Make it more snappy. Again, it's way too slow, especially in the beginning.

[Para]

I liked the music, but I must agree with roguenroll about the pacing, angles and title screen.

And I also want to see that thing firing! :drool:

[dcp]

Eh not too bad, but I have an idea if you are not finished with it. On the last scene of the microscope I say make the camera twist uder the front part and zoom in through the buttom maginfying part. That might be confusing. See your thing is really slow paced, if it were faster pace it might look better. It'd ust zoom in til it hit total black then scene change.

[AndrewE]

I love it!

The music was pretty good overall!

And just everything was well done, the models are amazing, texturing is good calibur just everything together is soo nice.

I love your traditional work, simple, clean and fun!

Good job man!

[Finefeat]

Hi Nanogator

I really liked you're reel.
You're models look great and I also liked the way you lit the outdoor scenes.
I'm currently working on my own showreel and was wondering what you used to pan across you're sketches like that. It's a nice touch.

My only crit would be, like others have mentioned that the intro is too long.
But I think the music was a good choice and suited the pace of the reel.

Nice one

:thumbsup:

[nismoS132]

come to think of it, nano's more a modeller than an animator (i think), split second scenes wouldn't complement his modelling skills.

how about multiple views as though you were looking at it through LW?

could even put in a mouse just for kicks :scream:

[Chagidiel]

Agree with people here it is a little slow.

Anyway, some really good work in there. Those techical models are very very good. Superb models and textures.
It was a thrill to see that cannon-thing fully rendered (I remember your WIP-thread). It calls for being fired though :)

But major question... why on earth aren´t you showing any geometry from that insanely awesome alien model of yours? Doesn´t matter if it isn´t finnished, I think you should show it anyway. I mean... you are showing the scetches.

[NanoGator]

@private: No music? Eh that's a possibility. It's not exactly critical to doing that. At the moment, though, the music is what's holding the project together. No reason why I couldn't toss it in the end, though. I need to find something better... where can I find royalty free/legit music? You're right, though, the intro's too long. I'm working on that tonight.

@dcp: I dunno man.. it's not a Microscope! It's a spherical video camera. I needta pop some photos in there of it.

@AndrewE: Thanks man. Definitely can use the kind words today. :)

@Finefeat: Thank ya! I used After Effects to do the image panning effect. I also could have used Premiere or Lightwave itself to do that. I just used AE because the interface is pretty darn perfect for it.

@nismoS132: Yep, what I'm demo'ing right now is primarily modelling + the traditional skills I use to aid in my moodelling. Unfortunately, none of the stuff I've done (even free-lance) has involved much in terms of animation. I can do it, but haven't had a chance to show off yet.

Hmm.. you mean like capturing footage of rotating in LW like Proton's dooing with his LW8 vids? That's a possibility. I like that because it means I don't have to spend an evening's render on it. (Note: I'm having issues with my main computer overheating..)

@Chagidiel: Yeah I'll address the pacing a bit. I at least intend to kill the intro and put s'more artwork in there.

The cannon firing I can get to.. eventually. Thing is, in order to meet my unemployment requirements, I needta get demo reels out this week.

Re: Alien: I dont' remember where I picked it up, but I had it drilled into my head not to show unfinished artwork on the demo reel. Argh. Fortunately, Larry talked some sense into me. So yeah, i'm gonna see if I can work it in there.

Hmm.. I wonder if I should start a new thread for the next demo reel, or if I should just add to this one...

[NanoGator]

I've updated the demo reel to version 2 now. The intro's gone. Whatcha think now?

http://www.reflectionsoldiers.com/demoreel/demo_reel_2_ng.zip

[Whelkn]

I think you really need some sort of a begining so they know its
your reel right off the bat. I really like the music you have chose
and so has everyone else that I have showed your reel to, it really fits the pace of your reel. Since your stressing modeling I think the slow pace is great for showing off the quality of your work. If its to fast the'll think you have something to hide which is why I make my demos fast paced :) I really like your work and I think your first demo was the better of the two.

Jeremy

[brap]

Big improvement! I can't believe you had held back on the alien model! :)
I would hold the slates at the end long enough to read them, though.
When and if you have the time, I would suggest you flesh out some of those great Ferion shots a little more. And beware the dreaded flicker! :)
Good Job!

cheers,

[Para]

Yeah, the beginning could use something that kinda brings the reel to the viewer instead of just a plain start. I'd also take all the alien clips and place them in the end instead of few concepts in the beginning + rest in the end.

Did you do something to the cannon sequence, the second cut in it seems to be kinda fast or something...

[LittleFenris]

Only thing I would say is group each model and all its animation and renders into sections...ferion cannon in one section all together, then the building in another section, the microscope thing in another, etc...Also I would probably cut out a bit of each one as there is too much of each model. I got the point of how good the models were long before you were done showing them off in the reel. Also I would probably add a few more models to the reel. To me its like it took you so long to model those few things that it is all you had for the reel. People in a production environment want quality models, but also in a timely manner...which I think your demo doesn't show.

What you have it the reel is great, but you need more to show you can model anything, on time, when its needed.

[dies-irae]

i kind of liked the first version better (the alient shots at the beginning of this one are a bit fast...) and i liked the slower rythm.

what bugs me is:
i really love the way it passes to wireframe in rythm with the music, but after the 4th time it kinds of gets redundant, try to use a wire -> shade instead of shade -> wire once or twice, just to change a bit.

it's awesome in any case, so my compliments!

[nismoS132]

i think you should show more of your models, multiple views, spins, details, meshes.

don't let the camera move too much, when it does, make the movement fast.

like fenris said, group them together, sci-fi with sci-fi, real with real, etc. place the sketches/photos beside the model, or even overlay them.

[xchrisx]

All I can say is WOW. Truly nice artwork, I enjoy it a lot.

-chris

[roguenroll]

yep, i like that better. I agree (from above) a beginning would be cool, logo or your name or something.

[NanoGator]

Thanks all. :) Got some readin to do tonight.

First Demo Reel went out, wish me luck!

[LFGabel]

Hey Nanogator,

Check out this thread (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115293&highlight=ilm+demo+reel) for a great interview with an ILM animator, plus there is some *great* tips for demoreels.

You wanted to know what houses want... well ILM is certainly a benchmark...

Good luck!

[NanoGator]

Awesome! Thanks man! :)

[NanoGator]

Awesome! Thanks man! :)

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