My AM Reel

[ivanisavich]

Hey bro...would love to check out your reel but I'm getting a "server not found" error when I click your site....

[Blusoul]

Thats strange my server was down. I just checked again and its working now:)

[skellybobbly]

Hiya Michael,

reel viewing denied :(

How's things going?


Tell a lie, it's up and running now! ;)
Looking good, really like the first piece.


Cheers


Jon

[ivanisavich]

Hey that was great dude!

I agree that the first scene was the strongest...hence it being at the beginning I guess!

Darn you AM people...I've yet to see a poor reel come from a student doing the AM courses....

[GoldenCamel]

here's what many would count as a harsh crit and i don't really mind, as long as it would help you become a better animator


Title card with bishop in the background, I think it projects a somewhat weak message for you as an individual to be relying on AM from the very first frame. sure it shows other that you're a AM graduate but I think you'll be better off relying on your own skills as an artist than on the school you've graduated from. so my suggestion, a black BG or at least some image that's originaly yours.

first clip, pretty good, although i saw a lot of arc and spacing problems but overall it was good, there was a bad composition shot that you've cut off the girl on the left, brad bird hates people who cut off heads in shots, adjust the camera so you get a clean over the shoulder shot, you can even cheat, as long as it doesnt breaks the continuty.

second clip, very poor, remember that your reel is only as good as the worst piece, so my suggestion, take it out completely becasue it ruins your good animation.

third clip, it's a good one, specialy the facial expression on the green guy, althou the reaching for the ball doesnt have enough force and appeal to it.

fourth clip with the guy trying to open the door, again, poor, take it out.

the struggle for the ball, the idea of cutting and continuty is good, althou the fixed evil expression on the green guy is held for too long and is therefore losing its impact, you need to have contrast and change in expression to keep it interesting, suggestion would be to start with a milder expression at first, then gradualy but noticably increase the evilness for the extreme closeup. the smack doesnt have enough force, maybe a stronger antic would make it better, and then the ball coming to life and hitting the green guy is very weak, both in idea and execution, i would have cut that part out.

and the final clip of the ballie getting hit, probably the weakest of all your animation and yet you're ending your reel with it, and it's usualy what will stick in the viewers mind and nothing could hurt your reel more than to end it with a weak piece.

dont just throw stuff in there to make a longer reel, its better to keep it short and sweet.

good luck

[ivanisavich]

Title card with bishop in the background, I think it projects a somewhat weak message for you as an individual to be relying on AM from the very first frame. sure it shows other that you're a AM graduate but I think you'll be better off relying on your own skills as an artist than on the school you've graduated from. so my suggestion, a black BG or at least some image that's originaly yours.

Most graduate demo reels I've seen from school all over have their school logo in them. VFS, FullSail, German Film School....most reels I've seen from those schools have the school logo as the first thing that shows up. There is nothing wrong with advertising your school in your reel.

[lane_hawk]

Hey blusoul!

Nice to see your reel up! Congrats on completing the course I know you worked so hard.:) I really like the first shot! I don't think there is a proplem with your opening title card either:curious:.

[ffourier]

you have some cool stuffs in your reel. I'm not an animation professionnal but this is a nice demoreel. Not very original but well done :)

[Booyah]

I'll just say that you need some work with the first lip sync, the second line the guy says looks like his mouth falls behind a little.

[mattmos]

Hey Michael, how's it going dude! Congrats on graduating, and finishing up your reel.

The first piece is great, really strong acting throughout. The second is a bit stop-start, and the poses don't read very clearly - I'd move it back a bit or maybe swap it out with something else - did you get anywhere with your one character dialogues? All the stuff with the nasty green guy is sweet, really like the dynamic between the two characters, though I think I agree with golden camel for once, that the nasty expression in the closeups could be dialed up a bit more, maybe start with more of a smirk building into that manic grin he finishes with. As it is its a bit of a fixed grin. The door opening is well done, though I have to say I've seen it in a lot of reels. The turn I'd move more into the middle of the reel, its quite funny and animation is ok, a very simple piece - I'd end with the green guy getting smack up, its more individual and funnier.

As for the opening/closing credits - doesn't really bother me that its bishop, as he's kind of the school calling card, and you're selling yourself as an AM graduate.

[Blusoul]

Hey yall,
Thanks for the feedback, its always interesting to hear what folks think:arteest:

[KimLeow]

i like your first piece too.
keep up!

[lane_hawk]

Keep us posted on how things go with your Reel:)

[achavero]

Hey Mike, great job with your demo reel, I love the scenes of your short. Also the shot with Stewie is very funny.

[Blusoul]

Thank you Ale and Kim!
Lane_Hawk I will definetly keep you posted on how things go.
Hopefully work will come my way, hehe:scream:

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