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splintercannon

07-01-2009, 11:52 AM

With SIGGRAPH drawing ever closer, I'm sure that there are plenty of us who want to utilize the benefits of the exhibition and job fair. So, I figured I'd get a thread going about the worldly advice some of you have about creating Demo Reels and Flat-work that will get us noticed.

Personally, my Reel is done. That isn't my problem. I have a question on the best way I could set up my flat-work portfolio. You see, I have a number of stories I've thought up over the years (like so many of us have) and with these stories, comes a boatload of characters and props, and environments, and everything else one would expect to see.

So, right now, the entire thing is split up into 5 sections: Characters, Props, Vehicles, environments, and Miscellaneous design work. The first 4 sections are split further keeping the characters, etc. from each story together, but I don't actually make mention of this in the portfolio as of now. It's just My question, is: should I? Should I include brief information about the characters, etc. and stories they belong to? Will anyone CARE? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

malducin

07-02-2009, 06:40 AM

While it'll probably won't harm if you include them, probably it won't matter. Employers receive tons of reels and portfolios at SIGGRAPH and many do review them on site (so they won't have time to even read your stories, only breakdowns if they like your work). After all you're showcasing your skills, not pitching a movie or TV show. If you get a callback for an interview, you might mention/show them there to demonstrate your creative process on those pieces, especially if you're looking for an art director position.

splintercannon

07-02-2009, 01:59 PM

You see, that's exactly what I was thinking. I'm sure these people see an endless supply of people who have their "super cool story". Everyone has one... I'm sure that even you did at one point in time (or still do... I don't know :P). So, I'm positive that they're more interested in seeing my actual drawing and art skills then my ability to write.

Thanks for the input! I really do appreciate it.

RobertoOrtiz

07-05-2009, 04:11 PM

I did a series of video on this same topic last year:
Check them out:

Digital Domain/Recruiti ng (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOr7TjeoMeU&feature=channel_page)
Interview with Rhythm & Hues Studios at SIGGRAPH 2008. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqOvgKQvV4A&feature=channel_page)
Dreamworks Recruiting podcast @ ... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuFE6FuX_A0&feature=channel_page)
LucasArts Recruitment (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QnnWE03nTg&feature=channel_page)

I am debating if I should do more this year.

-R

splintercannon

07-05-2009, 04:25 PM

Woah! I think I remember seeing you making these when I was walking around last year.

DeltaMikeSierra

07-17-2009, 11:11 PM

F*king thieves stole my hard disk!

Last october, my mil-spec, tough-box, waterproof shockproof dustproof bombproof blah blah blah hard drive & enclosure was stolen.

It contained my work from 1999-2008.

Since then I've been busting my ass to get another portfolio together.

WIP: (http://deltamikesierra.blogspot.com/)

NetMapel

07-18-2009, 09:21 PM

Womball

07-19-2009, 08:39 PM

What happens if you just bring along a few images of projects and finished projects to show possible employees. ALthough in my case I am not actively looking for a job right now.

DanielWray

07-22-2009, 08:38 PM

I'm not going, it's too far/ expense, but i hope to have some work shown on the animux booth (project widow to be precise), while i haven't done the shader/ Aqsis side of thing, i did all the modeling for the short film in production, so i guess that sort of counts as a small portfolio of work that people can check out and look at (some of the assets running on animux in blender).

To be honest though, if i did ever get the chance to go, i'd rather not actively look for jobs there, i'd much prefer to relax and if i could , chat with some of the great artists who will be there :)