So one for repeat clients and one for mailing in? that's really interesting. I kind of touch on that in one sentence in the video, about my reel vs others. In other words, one is a sample reel, I'm not trying to land studio jobs. But what you're talking about I feel falls more in that category, because if they know who you are it's more just keeping them in the loop. Which I've done plenty of times, at that point it doesn't need to be a reel per se, you can just ping the contacts at each studio "hey just finished this sequence, thought I'd share" (since then you have more touch points, since it's not once a year or something, it's every few months) When it comes to outreach what I would really do if we're having this conversation, is make focus based reels, cutting them specifically for that client. So if it goes to scanline it's destruction,if it goes to mackevision it's cars. etc. Same way as a studio I would have a cinematic reel, titles reel, water reel etc. So it's interesting splitting it with warm vs cold, but I feel like at that stage if they know who you are, it's more about reminding them that you're around, which is where you want any excuse to reach out to them (example, every time a director or sup ships a movie on the client side, I would send over what we called "scotch and cookies" as a way to congratulate them, but it's also you waving your hands saying "hey let's work on the next one together!") so that's where it moves more into client relations. I feel this video was more built for the ground level for freshers and juniors to get their first job. But also to course correct seniors who are making these mistakes. But there's so much on the topic you're referring to that would be great to dig into at some point for sure! Thanks for reaching out James!
If it’s not obvious then it’s good to state it, no clarity can make people frustrated that you didn’t list what your contributions were and that you didn’t state which parts are yours. If the entire reel is all you then just state that at the very beginning. Hope that helps
So helpful.....i have just completed my 2 years as a FX artist and i learned all the stuffs from you... you are my real mentor ..waiting for next video
26:54 - No Alan, you're right. Pitch perfect right: Best work upfront. 1 minute specifically focused on the ability the artist is applying for the job, clear contact numbers/email.
I'm glad that I found your channel. I really just focus on 3d modeling but since I've watched a few of your videos, I'm really interested about dabbling in vfx. Thank you for being as informative as you are!
Hi There Allan, Spot on advice. Just 1 thing I would add is 'if you feel something isn't up to par, DON'T put it in". As you mentioned in another video, "trust your gut". Most, if not all of the time, people WILL notice!
The irony of this comming up a couple days AFTER I updated and uploded my reel XD (I guess I could go for another revision) I personally try to update my reel on a yearly basis and include at least one of my most recent proyects. But I guess that only works under the assumption you'll always be able to produce something better than the previous time. There are years when I wonder If i should just change the intro, which is something I always do as I feel it helps me track my own progress, and leave the rest as it is or maybe even remove parts. There are proyects I include if i know they've had good notoriety despite not necesarily being the best of the lot (within limits, of course) as in my case, it has tended to lead to more positive reactions duting interviews. I AM a little heart broken about the music part as it's usually the most fun of my process when editing.
Hello Amman , I am so intreged by the way sups choose artist for various roles when screening demo reels. What are your thoughts on this when seeing compositing reels using the same footage? As starting out artist who dont have access to our own cameras solve this?
Thank you for so many great information!! :) I'd like to ask about breakdowns, is it a good thing to make a let's say 50 second showreel + 1.5min. breakdown which showcase technical part? Because I'd like to apply for a TD position. In a nutshell, what is the best way to make a showreel as a TD? should I include a HDA's I made or something like that? Thanks in advance! :)
ua-cam.com/video/LqD2EiCUuTA/v-deo.html Watch that it should help. Let me know if you need more clarification and I will try to make another video on it As for perfect reels, I'll try to dig some up. A lot of my students in my menotrship are a good example, just because we do the live reel reviews, so I'm pretty harsh on everyone in those sessions to make sure they are getting their reel constructed right Thanks Sergio!
Hi! Alan Thankyou for this amazing information, should one use word such as "Generalist" if he/she is not interested in a specific discipline or is someone who enjoys being master of all traits. And will doing such affect someone's job acceptance? Please if you can throw some light
All my best shots I don’t have permission from my employer/client to show in a demo reel or breakdown and they’re difficult clients so probably wouldn’t approve a breakdown. I’m really torn for what to do. The shots themselves are in the public domain but not the compositing breakdown. Any advice?
Great stuff, thanks Allan. Am wondering, how would you show a shot breakdown? First the final shot, then the breakdown of it? Or just the breakdown? Or something else? :)
Allan, what do you think about putting work on own portfolio site? Also shots which are not at same level as maybe your reel. But are there as workhistory or something. Does companies look at such stuff and is it more harmful than useful to keep old work on your page? Thanks!
It's up to you - most employers will Google you and look through your stuff (social included!) So that's not uncommon. Especially for staff - hire. You can definitely keep your work history, if anything it can show how much you've progressed. And any additional skills you have. But obviously if there's lots of terrible work it can be off putting. The main thing is when you have your reel you're trying to captivate them at well as competing against all the other reels being reviewed. If there are at a point where they are looking at your website, then they are more invested in you at that point. And have sole focus on you. So it's not as cut throat. I just wouldn't have terrible work on there unless it has a narrative (here is my early work and then I learned so much and look at what I can do now) But it's definitely a chance to paint more of a picture of who you are and what you can do So it's not a bad thing having a website with all your work on it. Provided they go there after seeing your reel and having that first impression set. Thanks for the great question Mr Bobinsky!
Would you be open to making a video reviewing maybe 5-6 demoreels? Sometimes it's hard to judge your own work, specially when you worked hard on an specific shot. I've seen many reel over the years, but it's always reels from people who have already 6-7 years of working in the industry, so their reel displays high end VFX work, but I would love to see the reel of a person with 0 experience, a reel of a someone who doesn't have the experience but might have the talent to get hired... Thank you Allan!!
Would really love to hear your thoughts on breakdowns. Breakdowns are great because they are a visual demonstration of what you did on a shot. Studios ask for (and enjoy) them when you are applying but don't often provide them, often citing the NDA or a lack of permission from the production company/client. They want to give you a limited number of shots from the show and apply a watermark (and only to the finished shot). Then (if you get lucky) a few months later maybe you see one of your shots on the company's demo reel (with a breakdown). Most of the time I just end up ripping the shots off the DVD like a pirate (on a movie that I worked on!) and describing what I did in text below. This is a kind of lame practice in my opinion, but it seems like the best I can do considering the circumstances. Do you negotiate this before entering into a project / studio? Most of the time it seems pretty taboo to bring up. Portfolios are essential for most art and design disciplines, so why is our system the way it is? Seems like the studios would have a better idea of who they are hiring if the practice of allowing artists to create breakdowns of their own work and use them for career advancement was more universal and accepted.
Hey Allen, thanks for the great insight and all the great tips! My question for you is, what can we expect with the pandemic and being hired? I have sent my reel out to about 60 job listings and have decided to make a new reel. I think your advice about keeping it short and wanting more is perfect as my first reel is 1:30 and may just be to much content. So getting back to my question, has the hiring process changed since the pandemic, other then there being way more remote jobs available? Is it better to make a technical reel verse artistic? Any insight would be greatly valued and appreciated. Thanks again. George Rosenberg
Hello Allan, I am 3D Character Artist and I am making my demoreel, I just wanted to ask that is it good show fancy camera angles like game of thrones in demoreel especially if i wanted to show character modeling and lookdev portrait in my demoreel.
What do you suggest for a student reel? I did a 3 month course last summer and that reel unfortunately didn't lead to anything. But have got accepted to a year long program in September to help improve my skills and prepare me better for the industry. But what should I be adding or highlighting most as a comp student trying to get a jr job?
Hi, from personal experience, its sometimes hard to land a job also after 20 month program. Keep working and produce more shots and at some point it gets you a job! Good luck!
Hlo sir Just want to ask is it necessary to do live action composition for your fx shot or demo real Or If i put just 1 cg shot with fx in real so it will work ? Cant get a job a fx atrist Is there any chance for an internship under you or in your company or studio?
Yeah I wanted to post first thing in the morning but I plan to put up another video end of day today. Working a few late hours on a new film so hours are a bit out of whack right now haha Yeah I'm on the west coast - where are you located btw Stan?
Modeling is very competitive, research the studios you're wanting to work for. Lol at their reels and the type of modeling they tend to do a lot of (example: cars, or orcs) and build a couple of key pieces that are aligned with their work. Try to research the staff on LinkedIn and contact them directly also helps. And or even then ask them what type of work they need to see samples of. Some studios will want to encourage this and get more invested in you by doing soon. The main thing is everyone thinks there's a magic trick to getting work But it's as simple as demonstrate that you can do the level of work needed that a studio can use you in their projects Best of luck 👊
I do..- they helps us having a better understanding of the business side of VFX... [ smart move, but do love exciting tutorials like the blade fx, the destruction towel etc
I have a question: wouldn't it be more efficient and less time consuming to go directly on Linkedin, Artstation, the dots, Behance and so on...find there the artist that are available and get in touch with them, instead of posting a job offer? I say this because by posting the job you allow thousands of people from all over the world to send you the reel, and you know better than me that maybe 3% of those reels are worth watching. by doing so you literally cause yourself the trouble and the huge task of having to dig among thousands of emails and spam, until (maybe) you find the talent you where looking for. wouldn't it be more efficient for the recruiting teams to be more active instead of passive, and go look for the talent using social media platforms? I mean, since they exist why not using them properly. I understand that this requires more effort by the recruiting team, but I honestly think this could save them a lot of time at the end of the day. Also you would not run the risk of having to watch your own reel again ;)
I witness an architect not hiring some one because he had a miss spelling on his cover letter. So the architect just ripped apart the application without looking at the work. So double check your spelling. Pay attention to little details.
It's so funny but there is stuff like that that happens. It sounds crazy, but in a way how you convey yourself in your cover letter says a lot about you. I'm not going to worry if I see a word misspelled, but if the cover letter is written sloppily - especially if english is their first language.. then it makes me wonder why they put zero effort into the very first thing I'm likely to see. We collect all of the bad job applications that land in my inbox, specifically because I do email teardowns occasionally where I show some of the bad bad bad examples of emails. Mostly because I think everybody else doesn't realize how low the bar is set when it comes to this stuff. So I think for a lot of people it is educational, but also for some motivating "holy cr*p, if this is the level of effort people put into their applications, I kind of think I could get the job "just by trying"" so you never know, definitely pays off to present yourself well, put effort into how you write an email or cover letter and spending two seconds spell checking your words. I will say in addition, that at least for me (I've never talked with others I don't think about this, when it comes to non-native english speakers) but again I get lots of terrible emails from people who are non native english speakers with spelling errors everywhere and no effort in the email itselt (Just like native english speakers). BUT if there are a few types or just sentences that read 'off' but it's obvious english isn't their native language, then at least for me I'll always take that into account. It's just when you're born in 'merica and you say "hi hrz my real" you pretty much don't have any excuse. Thanks for sharing Felipe!
I heard someone talk about warm vs. cold reels. What are your thoughts about having two reels, one for warm leads and one for cold leads?
So one for repeat clients and one for mailing in?
that's really interesting. I kind of touch on that in one sentence in the video, about my reel vs others. In other words, one is a sample reel, I'm not trying to land studio jobs.
But what you're talking about I feel falls more in that category, because if they know who you are it's more just keeping them in the loop. Which I've done plenty of times, at that point it doesn't need to be a reel per se, you can just ping the contacts at each studio "hey just finished this sequence, thought I'd share" (since then you have more touch points, since it's not once a year or something, it's every few months)
When it comes to outreach what I would really do if we're having this conversation, is make focus based reels, cutting them specifically for that client. So if it goes to scanline it's destruction,if it goes to mackevision it's cars. etc.
Same way as a studio I would have a cinematic reel, titles reel, water reel etc.
So it's interesting splitting it with warm vs cold, but I feel like at that stage if they know who you are, it's more about reminding them that you're around, which is where you want any excuse to reach out to them (example, every time a director or sup ships a movie on the client side, I would send over what we called "scotch and cookies" as a way to congratulate them, but it's also you waving your hands saying "hey let's work on the next one together!") so that's where it moves more into client relations.
I feel this video was more built for the ground level for freshers and juniors to get their first job. But also to course correct seniors who are making these mistakes. But there's so much on the topic you're referring to that would be great to dig into at some point for sure!
Thanks for reaching out James!
Do I still have to label the work done in a showreel, even if I have done all the work??
If it’s not obvious then it’s good to state it, no clarity can make people frustrated that you didn’t list what your contributions were and that you didn’t state which parts are yours. If the entire reel is all you then just state that at the very beginning. Hope that helps
@@AllanMcKay Got it, thanks a lot for the advice and great video!
I’m in my portfolio classes getting ready to graduate in April. This information was so crucial and enlightening. Thank you so much Allan!
That's so great man and best of luck with the graduation!
So helpful.....i have just completed my 2 years as a FX artist and i learned all the stuffs from you... you are my real mentor ..waiting for next video
Thanks Shashank, I'll be putting up next video in next 24 hours :)
26:54 - No Alan, you're right. Pitch perfect right: Best work upfront. 1 minute specifically focused on the ability the artist is applying for the job, clear contact numbers/email.
I'm glad that I found your channel. I really just focus on 3d modeling but since I've watched a few of your videos, I'm really interested about dabbling in vfx. Thank you for being as informative as you are!
Hi There Allan, Spot on advice.
Just 1 thing I would add is 'if you feel something isn't up to par, DON'T put it in".
As you mentioned in another video, "trust your gut". Most, if not all of the time, people WILL notice!
The irony of this comming up a couple days AFTER I updated and uploded my reel XD (I guess I could go for another revision)
I personally try to update my reel on a yearly basis and include at least one of my most recent proyects. But I guess that only works under the assumption you'll always be able to produce something better than the previous time. There are years when I wonder If i should just change the intro, which is something I always do as I feel it helps me track my own progress, and leave the rest as it is or maybe even remove parts.
There are proyects I include if i know they've had good notoriety despite not necesarily being the best of the lot (within limits, of course) as in my case, it has tended to lead to more positive reactions duting interviews.
I AM a little heart broken about the music part as it's usually the most fun of my process when editing.
This video is what i wanted to hear in this new year! Starting to build my reel this month onwards! Thank you for your tips,sir! :)
That's great Jahir!
Hello Amman , I am so intreged by the way sups choose
artist for various roles when screening demo reels.
What are your thoughts on this when seeing compositing
reels using the same footage? As starting out artist
who dont have access to our own cameras solve this?
Thank you for so many great information!! :) I'd like to ask about breakdowns, is it a good thing to make a let's say 50 second showreel + 1.5min. breakdown which showcase technical part? Because I'd like to apply for a TD position. In a nutshell, what is the best way to make a showreel as a TD? should I include a HDA's I made or something like that?
Thanks in advance! :)
Hi Alan, my question is: What message recommend to add in the mail when I send the reel? Where can i see examples of perfect reels? Thanks
ua-cam.com/video/LqD2EiCUuTA/v-deo.html
Watch that it should help.
Let me know if you need more clarification and I will try to make another video on it
As for perfect reels, I'll try to dig some up. A lot of my students in my menotrship are a good example, just because we do the live reel reviews, so I'm pretty harsh on everyone in those sessions to make sure they are getting their reel constructed right
Thanks Sergio!
Hi! Alan Thankyou for this amazing information, should one use word such as "Generalist" if he/she is not interested in a specific discipline or is someone who enjoys being master of all traits. And will doing such affect someone's job acceptance? Please if you can throw some light
for some reason I can't access the site in the description :(
All my best shots I don’t have permission from my employer/client to show in a demo reel or breakdown and they’re difficult clients so probably wouldn’t approve a breakdown. I’m really torn for what to do. The shots themselves are in the public domain but not the compositing breakdown. Any advice?
your so helpfull...this video will helps while doing demo reel maybe after 6 months
That's great man! Feel free to share it once it's up
Very Nice info
Thanks !
You're welcome brother
Thanks for the information it was really helpful for newbie like us!!
You’re very welcome!
Great stuff, thanks Allan.
Am wondering, how would you show a shot breakdown? First the final shot, then the breakdown of it? Or just the breakdown? Or something else? :)
Allan, what do you think about putting work on own portfolio site? Also shots which are not at same level as maybe your reel. But are there as workhistory or something.
Does companies look at such stuff and is it more harmful than useful to keep old work on your page? Thanks!
It's up to you - most employers will Google you and look through your stuff (social included!) So that's not uncommon. Especially for staff - hire.
You can definitely keep your work history, if anything it can show how much you've progressed. And any additional skills you have.
But obviously if there's lots of terrible work it can be off putting.
The main thing is when you have your reel you're trying to captivate them at well as competing against all the other reels being reviewed.
If there are at a point where they are looking at your website, then they are more invested in you at that point. And have sole focus on you.
So it's not as cut throat. I just wouldn't have terrible work on there unless it has a narrative (here is my early work and then I learned so much and look at what I can do now)
But it's definitely a chance to paint more of a picture of who you are and what you can do
So it's not a bad thing having a website with all your work on it. Provided they go there after seeing your reel and having that first impression set.
Thanks for the great question Mr Bobinsky!
@@AllanMcKay Thank you very much for your feedback Allan!
@@mr10pink you're very welcome :)
Would you be open to making a video reviewing maybe 5-6 demoreels? Sometimes it's hard to judge your own work, specially when you worked hard on an specific shot. I've seen many reel over the years, but it's always reels from people who have already 6-7 years of working in the industry, so their reel displays high end VFX work, but I would love to see the reel of a person with 0 experience, a reel of a someone who doesn't have the experience but might have the talent to get hired... Thank you Allan!!
Would really love to hear your thoughts on breakdowns. Breakdowns are great because they are a visual demonstration of what you did on a shot. Studios ask for (and enjoy) them when you are applying but don't often provide them, often citing the NDA or a lack of permission from the production company/client. They want to give you a limited number of shots from the show and apply a watermark (and only to the finished shot). Then (if you get lucky) a few months later maybe you see one of your shots on the company's demo reel (with a breakdown). Most of the time I just end up ripping the shots off the DVD like a pirate (on a movie that I worked on!) and describing what I did in text below. This is a kind of lame practice in my opinion, but it seems like the best I can do considering the circumstances. Do you negotiate this before entering into a project / studio? Most of the time it seems pretty taboo to bring up. Portfolios are essential for most art and design disciplines, so why is our system the way it is? Seems like the studios would have a better idea of who they are hiring if the practice of allowing artists to create breakdowns of their own work and use them for career advancement was more universal and accepted.
Hi Allan, how does one gain access into your mentorship? great advice as always :)
Thanks Reed! Jump on my mailing list we open doors one a year which we announce in there - www.allanmckay.com/inside 👊🍺
@@AllanMcKay Done, looking forward to it 😎
Hey Allen, thanks for the great insight and all the great tips! My question for you is, what can we expect with the pandemic and being hired? I have sent my reel out to about 60 job listings and have decided to make a new reel. I think your advice about keeping it short and wanting more is perfect as my first reel is 1:30 and may just be to much content. So getting back to my question, has the hiring process changed since the pandemic, other then there being way more remote jobs available? Is it better to make a technical reel verse artistic? Any insight would be greatly valued and appreciated. Thanks again.
George Rosenberg
Very insightful as always Allan. Thank you
Thank you Paul!
This video has so much good info so I posted it in some VFX and 3D Facebook groups :) ...
Thank you so much Mircea! 🙏
Hello Allan, I am 3D Character Artist and I am making my demoreel, I just wanted to ask that is it good show fancy camera angles like game of thrones in demoreel especially if i wanted to show character modeling and lookdev portrait in my demoreel.
What do you suggest for a student reel? I did a 3 month course last summer and that reel unfortunately didn't lead to anything. But have got accepted to a year long program in September to help improve my skills and prepare me better for the industry.
But what should I be adding or highlighting most as a comp student trying to get a jr job?
Hi, from personal experience, its sometimes hard to land a job also after 20 month program. Keep working and produce more shots and at some point it gets you a job! Good luck!
Hlo sir
Just want to ask is it necessary to do live action composition for your fx shot or demo real
Or
If i put just 1 cg shot with fx in real so it will work ?
Cant get a job a fx atrist
Is there any chance for an internship under you or in your company or studio?
Thank you for the video🙏
Very helpful!
Your so help full I love your videos I am also working on my reels for getting job 😎
That's great man! Keep at it! 👊
@@AllanMcKay 💕💕
Posting late tonight huh (assuming you're in the States)? I just happen to be up working half asleep but lemme check this out before I crash.
Yeah I wanted to post first thing in the morning but I plan to put up another video end of day today.
Working a few late hours on a new film so hours are a bit out of whack right now haha
Yeah I'm on the west coast - where are you located btw Stan?
@@AllanMcKay Texas but through the power of the internet I am GLOW-BULL!
@@sthJuniorPK hahaha LOVE IT - let me know which city, if I'm ever around then beers and bbq!
@@AllanMcKay Hey man! Anytime you're in Houston I'm down.
And I am a sculpture but theres no hire for fresher can you guide how I join in character design team 😵😵
Modeling is very competitive, research the studios you're wanting to work for. Lol at their reels and the type of modeling they tend to do a lot of (example: cars, or orcs) and build a couple of key pieces that are aligned with their work. Try to research the staff on LinkedIn and contact them directly also helps. And or even then ask them what type of work they need to see samples of. Some studios will want to encourage this and get more invested in you by doing soon.
The main thing is everyone thinks there's a magic trick to getting work
But it's as simple as demonstrate that you can do the level of work needed that a studio can use you in their projects
Best of luck 👊
@@AllanMcKay thank you so love form india 😍💕
Gotta make a few changes to my reel 😉
What are the best demo reels you have seen so far
Yes
When are u gonna POST A NEW VFX TUTORIAL?😟👐🏼./ like real tutorial? Like the other one?
You don't like these videos?
I do..- they helps us having a better understanding of the business side of VFX... [ smart move, but do love exciting tutorials like the blade fx, the destruction towel etc
I have a question: wouldn't it be more efficient and less time consuming to go directly on Linkedin, Artstation, the dots, Behance and so on...find there the artist that are available and get in touch with them, instead of posting a job offer? I say this because by posting the job you allow thousands of people from all over the world to send you the reel, and you know better than me that maybe 3% of those reels are worth watching. by doing so you literally cause yourself the trouble and the huge task of having to dig among thousands of emails and spam, until (maybe) you find the talent you where looking for. wouldn't it be more efficient for the recruiting teams to be more active instead of passive, and go look for the talent using social media platforms? I mean, since they exist why not using them properly.
I understand that this requires more effort by the recruiting team, but I honestly think this could save them a lot of time at the end of the day. Also you would not run the risk of having to watch your own reel again ;)
I appreciates you
Thanks so much Noah
THANKS FOR THE INFO
Great info thanks ;D
I witness an architect not hiring some one because he had a miss spelling on his cover letter. So the architect just ripped apart the application without looking at the work. So double check your spelling. Pay attention to little details.
It's so funny but there is stuff like that that happens. It sounds crazy, but in a way how you convey yourself in your cover letter says a lot about you.
I'm not going to worry if I see a word misspelled, but if the cover letter is written sloppily - especially if english is their first language.. then it makes me wonder why they put zero effort into the very first thing I'm likely to see.
We collect all of the bad job applications that land in my inbox, specifically because I do email teardowns occasionally where I show some of the bad bad bad examples of emails. Mostly because I think everybody else doesn't realize how low the bar is set when it comes to this stuff. So I think for a lot of people it is educational, but also for some motivating "holy cr*p, if this is the level of effort people put into their applications, I kind of think I could get the job "just by trying"" so you never know, definitely pays off to present yourself well, put effort into how you write an email or cover letter and spending two seconds spell checking your words.
I will say in addition, that at least for me (I've never talked with others I don't think about this, when it comes to non-native english speakers) but again I get lots of terrible emails from people who are non native english speakers with spelling errors everywhere and no effort in the email itselt (Just like native english speakers). BUT if there are a few types or just sentences that read 'off' but it's obvious english isn't their native language, then at least for me I'll always take that into account. It's just when you're born in 'merica and you say "hi hrz my real" you pretty much don't have any excuse.
Thanks for sharing Felipe!
Thank you very much Sir :)
Thanks.
Hi Allan, I've been trying to reach you out a few times in the past two months. Would you please check your LinkedIn messenger? This is Ali H.Thanks!
shoot me an email - I got swarmed with messages on Linkedin and Facebook so it's hard to keep on top of them
amckay@allanmckay.com
@@AllanMcKay I sent you an email right now. I hope you get to read it. Thank you!
The only reason I didn't like the video, is to keep it at 666 likes. lol!
Lol