EXAMPLES OF REEL-Title cards & table of contents

I'd also add your contact info on the title card of your demo reel, as well as on the tape or DVD. This also sounds obvious, but is often overlooked and if your demo reel gets seperated from you resume and shot list, you're screwed. Don't be fancy, just make things nice and clear for people to read, they're not looking for you typesetting abilities, they're looking at your animation.

Absolutely. I usually add this info as a separate card at the end of the reel - adding it to the opening card just muddles things, IMO. It has my web address, email address, and phone numbers. My mailing address is on the DVD (along with phone #).

Okay, here's the thing...

DDA, sounds like you're talking about a pitch reel for a show. If so, what you say makes loads of sense.

I think what Daniela was looking for was advice on a demo reel, in order to land a job. In that case, writing samples aren't going to help her much (unless she's looking for a writing job on a series...)

Absolutely. I usually add this info as a separate card at the end of the reel - adding it to the opening card just muddles things, IMO. It has my web address, email address, and phone numbers. My mailing address is on the DVD (along with phone #).

Yeah, but sometimes recruiters don't get to the end of your demo reel. I always like to put my contact info at the head and tail of my demo. Also at the front it's easier to find, just rewind the tape and there it is vs. trying to fast forward and not knowing where the end is. But all that is personal preferences and I do agree it's less busy with it all at the end. I've actually started putting my contact info at the end now that I'm putting my demo reel on DVD instead of VHS.

But what ever you do, make sure it's clear, and on screen long enough for someone else to read out loud twice. You don't want it to just flash on screen for a few seconds and be gone.

Aloha,
the Ape

Yeah, but sometimes recruiters don't get to the end of your demo reel.

True, but if they want to hire you, they'll look for your contact info. And if they're not getting to the end of your reel because they're not impressed with what they see, well... you're not gonna get the job anyway...:)

I've only just recently started including contact info in the reel's footage because it's "the way it's done" now, not because I think it's effective. Having it there requires the viewer to copy it down, which adds an extra step between them seeing it and calling you. I'd rather not rely on them taking that step.

For sure, the reel itself (disc or tape) should be clearly labeled with your contact info. Someone can carry that back to their desk and contact you from that piece of hard copy without doing any additional work.

Keep title cards simple - usually your name and the type of work you're showing is sufficient, for example:

Daniela Lastname
Character Animation Reel

As far as a "table of contents" goes, it's usually called a breakdown sheet (or shot breakdown sheet), and it accompanies your reel on a piece of paper. On it, you list the name of the project each clip comes from and your contribution to it. BE HONEST on this, or it will come back to haunt you. In other words, don't say you did the rigging or character design if you didn't :). That might seem obvious, but people claiming credit for other people's work happens more frequently than it should. There's always someone out there that knows the truth, and eventually your reel will cross their desk.

I'd say you should put your contact info on the actual dvd, the dvd cover and your portfolio. everything should be clearly labled with your name and it's nice if you can find a way to keep your demo attached somehow to the actual portfolio. I'd also keep the real down to 1 minute or so, these guys only need to see your best work. I definately wouldn't put more than 3 minutes of material on. good luck

i think there is good solid info here.

contact information should be easily accessible fact they shouldnt have to look for it
reel should be short 1-3 mins max.
best work upfront
dont use annoying music (industrial, house, thrash metal) unless you think it really really enhances the video. even then id be careful
make different demo reels for different kinds of jobs you apply for.

I'd also add your contact info on the title card of your demo reel, as well as on the tape or DVD. This also sounds obvious, but is often overlooked and if your demo reel gets seperated from you resume and shot list, you're screwed. Don't be fancy, just make things nice and clear for people to read, they're not looking for you typesetting abilities, they're looking at your animation.

Aloha,
the Ape

Okay, here's the thing, it has occured many times before, enough of the suttle gestures, there is no doubt that these animation reel costs alot of money to create, unless of course you are in direct possession of the factors of production. Now although having a reel is an ostentatious presentation to the fullest, my heart falls for those who fail because of reasons such as the wrong target viewer demographic or because of marketing reasons related to promoting the concept, many times the simple typed presentation scripts outdo the reels because what producers really look for, is how well this concept can be adapted and be moulded into a successful show, (if that is what you created your reel for), but the factors of the enterprise (those with a business sense will understand) play above all else a major part in accepting the concept, the viewer demographic, the genre, the likeability, the marketability and a lot of others. But for you interested in actually reaching somewhere in the animation industry, the individual's aptitude is what one looks at and how well his concept can be...MOULDED into what the creator or the producer idealy invisions.
My main point is, reels are expensive, they are sometimes called the lazy way out, reasons are too abundant to give a definite example, but they are impressive, please take your time to develop your ideas and at least try to create a presentation in writing with a few drawings, producers are elated to look at someone's creation in writing because you get the opportunity to look at how well this person's LITERARY skills are, how much work went into the project and a look at the individual through..believe it or not...his writing.
Rally your dreams and create something truly magnificent, which ever path you choose remember, that among the clutter you always notice the thing that keeps the silence.
Good Luck to all of you :)

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