Classmate Research Reviews

Review on Job Research:

The one thing that worries me about seeing people who only look for internships the experience I had from the job fair last year.  Companies don't want interns who are a few months away from being out of college.  In fact, I had graphic design companies just walking up to me and asking me if I wanted to intern (even though I'm not a graphic designer) because I was one of the only juniors there.  When I refered them to a senior who could do the  job better, they simply said that "they're seniors, we're looking for a junior."  In other words.  They want skilled, but still in school.

And while I think we should all have dreams and ultimately a place where we eventually end up, I think (at this point), aiming for Pixar is a bit too high right off the bat.  Even the previous class with some of the best animators I know (including Michael Shaw) have had no luck with that studio.  So yes, dreams are great, but aim a little lower first.

For most of the rest, it's exactly what I've been seeing in the job search myself (for the most part we don't qualify).  But there's one thing that I have to know.  What is cinema 4D?

Review on demo reel:

On Dony Permedi's reel (from Tiffany's blog), I can totally see what she's talking about as far as the 2D cutting the reel in half.  The reel is still okay, even with this, but this person obviously does the most work in 3D, so I feel like he doesn't even need the 2D bit.  I also understand why the 3D artist's reel that she was talking about doesn't have sound in parts.  Studios sometimes don't even listen to the sound.  But there should be the option there, always.

I also think it's an interesting idea that Ashley states, making us think about what's a demo reel, and what's simply a shortened piece.

I like Jessie's example of a reel that merges multiple mediums, as I will be probably attempting to do the same with my own work.  This is a good example.

The first reel from Larry's blog is a little strange.  There are some really awkward parts.  I'm not sure if that means it's good animation (for making me feel uncomfortable), or if it's bad animation (for exactly the same reason.)

I totally agree with Krickett's reels. I totally agree that the first 3D reel is beautiful.  I think I even posted it on my own blog a week or so back for the exact same reason.  The 2D reel is also a good example of on-the-spot animation.  Very nicely done.  I also agree that Ringling has an amazing animation department, as showcased in the 4th reel.  And I also noticed in my own research the large amount of hand animation that 3D animators seem to do.