Putting together the perfect demo reel can be a challenging task. We often need clarification, like what to put and what not to put in our demo reels, how long it should be, what elements are required in order to make a good demo reel, etc.
In the world of animation, demo reels are just our showreel- a way to show our skills and talents to the hiring agents. It is common for an animator or an artist to include their previous work in their demo reel. But, every animator must avoid a few mistakes or no-nos when putting together one for clients.
Are you interested in learning the things you need to avoid to create the perfect demo reel for business? Here are a few things that should be avoided at all costs.
Mistakes to Avoid in a Demo Reel
Want to create a demo reel, make sure to avoid the following five mistakes.
1. Don’t Make Your Demo Reel a One Size Fits All
Every showreel should be tailor-made to fit clients’ styles and characters. Never use a template or a pre-made demo reel, and try to apply every element of it whenever you create a new one for your client.
When putting together a demo reel, the best thing you can do is take out remarkable bits from your animations. It is also important that you do not include all the projects you have worked on in your past job because all those projects have different styles. Combine them all to put together the perfect showreel.
2. Avoid Showcasing Projects Which Are Not Yours
We have all seen that one guy who has created a demo reel mainly composed of other people’s animation projects but with his name tagged at the end. This style will never help you get noticed by employers because they will think that you are having another person’s work at the back of your name.
If you want to be recognized in the industry, take pride in doing all your projects yourself and infuse them with your style.
3. Don’t Waste Time on Excessive Logo Intros
When showcasing their animation skills through demo reels, some animators create their logos to appear at the beginning of each showreel. Using a pre-made logo in your demo reel shows that you lack creativity and originality.
It also wastes time which makes your reel longer than necessary. You can easily do without this element in your demo reel because when an employer sees that you are not confident enough to use your logo at the beginning of your reel, they will assume that you might be lacking in the department of creativity.
4. Avoid Long Intro Sequences
Intro sequences are excellent, but they do not always need to come up before every project begins. Some animators create long intro sequences that can even go as far as a minute. Again, this wastes time, and it can bore your viewer.
The best way to go about this is to create a concise intro sequence that lasts only for 10 seconds. If you have extra time, you can always use them to add more content to your reel later.
Avoid Putting in Stuff That’s Too Distracting
This has to be the most essential thing that every animator must avoid while putting together their demo reel. It would be best if you remembered that your viewers are busy people who do not have the time to wait for you to complete a specific scene, so don’t distract them with flashy transitions between scenes.
The most common example is when many animators create a “fold” transition which is a quick way of showing a transition between two scenes. You can also easily do without this kind of stuff because it rarely serves the purpose of your reel.
Want to Create Your Demo Reel?
As an animator, you will always be faced with decisions on what to put in and what not to put in your demo reel. However, you must not forget that your demo reel is the first thing an employer will see once they find you on the internet.
Ensure you have included only the best parts of your work so you will not waste valuable time. Remember, it’s always better to include less but good content rather than a lot of mediocre work, which can damage your future career.
Are you looking for a professional animation studio to help create the perfect demo reel for your business? Prolific Animation Studio is a leading animation studio in Los Angeles that can help you make the ideal demo reel. Talk to us for more information about us and how we can help you achieve your goals!
