Hi... :)
I'm new in this but I wanted to know if anyone could help me with this.
I'm a Senior and I'm trying to apply for internships to complete my degree, so I need to put together my animation reel. I have my animations and thing to put on it but I don't know how to actually make it.
I've read the do's and don'ts about them, but I haven't found anywhere where they tell me how to actually put it togehter. I'vee read that most places want the reels on VHS or DVDs that can be play on a tv... but I don't know how to do that. I hope I'm making myself clear enough.
If there's anyone who can guide me on how to do make my reel I would really appreciate it...
Thank you!
URGENT HELP w/ reel
By carladaniela21782 | Thursday, November 3, 2005 at 8:05pm
#1
URGENT HELP w/ reel
what is the intended audience for this reel? if you want it to go on tv i think DigiBeta is the safest choice. depending on size you should have it in DVD as well as CD form.
Try talking to your instructor or your counselor, this is something that should have been outlined and discussed with you by now. Make an appointment with both. If your instructor isn't giving you the information on how to do this in the most up to date format then the administration should be aware that he isn't performing his job up to requirements.
You guys pay a lot to attend these schools. That's part of their job. And if they aren't meeting the needs of graduating seniors they aren't doing it! Why pay these outlandish fees for something that isn't even reasonably near what the commericial world expects
Pat Hacker, Visit Scooter's World.
I'm with Phacker - your school should be helping you put together a reel. I'd be surprised if they don't have facilities to do so. Ask around at school, or better yet, ask another student in your class who has his or her reel together already how they did it.
I know what you are saying... but right now I don't have more time to chase my teacher around to try to get some information from her. I'm trying to apply for animation internships for this coming Spring 06'. Because all the other times I've gone to her, the only thing that she gives me are websited to look at, I hate that. And all the websites are ok, they tell me what to put in the reel but noone of the tell me how to actually make the reel. I don't know how to put all my animations in a VHS cassett or a DVD that can be played on the TV.
If you know how to or you kwo of someone who does... is there any way you could help me?
You don't know how to edit?
I say download a trial of a good nonlinear editing program. I recommend adobe premiere for you, since it runs on pc and mac (don't know what you use) and it's pretty easy to figure out. Final Cut Pro is another popular one if you have a mac.
You will need copies of all your animations as avi or quicktime video, etc. GOOD QUALITY. Edit them together on the timeline using the tips you've read on all these websites you mentioned.
Then you will need to export to video. You can hook a video device to your computer. There are so many ways to do this. Really, your school should have a set-up somewhere. I hook my miniDV camera to my computer using a firewire cable. OR Instead of video you can use a DVD authoring program, like adobe encore, to put a good quality file of your reel onto a DVD. You will need to export from Premiere a compatible file (once again, like an avi). Some DVD programs take a lot of practice to figure out. The ones that don't are usually pretty crappy. DVD Studio Pro is a good one, if you have a mac. MAKE SURE YOU PREVIEW YOUR DVD!!!!!! I had problems with the dvd authoring prog that was pre-installed on my computer. The audio would play up to 10 seconds behind the video, and sometimes there would be black spots in the video. Also, try to test your dvd in a variety of players and even computers. You never know what the person will be using to view your reel. (You could also use a vcr to get a VHS copy from the dvd).
Maybe it's just because the animation program I graduated from was within the film and video program.... but this seems like something you should really know by now. Basic video skills can be very helpful to you, if you're trying to get a job as an animator. You should make your prof take the time to show you these things. That's ridiculous. Maybe your drawing and animation acting skills are so superior that it outweighs this oversight, but it seems to me your are getting ripped off in this area.
But then again.... if you want to be a storyboarder, places like nickelodeon don't even want to see reels for that. It all depends, I guess.
Good luck to you.
I've worked with editing before. Final Cut Pro it's what we use. Now I know what exactly to do.
Thank you so much for your help.
Did everything work out for you? I was just wondering!
Ignore the DigiBeta advice unless you just want to archive it. The chances any recruiters are going to have access to Digibeta are pretty slim. And forget about CD unless you're applying for web development stuff.
VHS or DVD only (and as always check with the company, each one is different).
Otherwise it sounds like meloponine has got you pretty well covered.
Good luck!
Producing solidily ok animation since 2001.
www.galaxy12.com
Now with more doodling!
www.galaxy12.com/latenight