Demo Reel Advice For VFX CG Animation Students

Is my demo reel is satisfactory for this studio?

Every CG or VFX artists face this type of question in their career span.

If you are looking for your first job in animation, visual effects or computer graphics then creating an excellent demo reel to show studios is crucial.

Your demo reel should offer something unique, entertaining and engaging.

Let us discuss about the crucial points which VFX-CG-Animation Students should keep in mind before preparing the Demo Reel.

Creating a Demo Reel which will showcase your talent and will make you stand out from the crowd in the competitive market is something to be focussed.

After discussing with several VFX CG Animation supervisors and artists of reputed Production Companies we gathered several important factors necessary for Demo Reel.

VFX CG Animation students should follow the guidelines before designing the demo reel.

Tips To Make Your Demo Reel Stand Out

The Demo Reel should be interesting.

Opening the reel with a great acting shot and another will grab everyone’s attention.

A mid close-up shot sells emotion well; let the feelings of the characters convey to the audience that will make the audience hooked to the demo reel.

Editing is the key part here; proper selection and arrangement of shots will add wow factor to your demo reel.

The reel can do tricks with the viewer.

Entertain your viewer with unique visuals by thinking out of the box; read the job description carefully to find out the need of the studio.

Recruiters prefer a tight and short demo reel; give you maximum effort to make the three minute reel interesting.

Don’t be insecure about the length of the demo reel as every frame counts; even ten seconds of amazing animation can beat one minute of ordinary animation.

In fact a demo reel of one or two shot with duration 30 second can also win heart.

Demo reel should be short, simple and interesting.

Be attentive on your skills and strengths.

Most of the time we want to add too much rather than focussing on the simple element; lack of focus can hamper the demo reel.

If you have the talent to draw, paint or sculpt include that in your reel.

If you are an animator create a unique character; don’t copy the popular character and do walk cycle turn-tables.

30-45 seconds of animation is enough in a demo reel as the recruiters is reviewing 30 more demo reel.

Make the dialogues interesting to tell the story; don’t show violence

The emotion in the dialogue sells the product; animating only the eyes and eyebrows of a character can sell the shot.

Just a slight movement of eyebrow can change the whole facial expressions.

Never put a shot in your demo reel until and unless you are 100% satisfied.

The Animator who will review your demo reel will wonder about your judgement of quality; bad selection of shots will lead your reel into the bin.

If you are a modeller then showcase your understanding of surface texture and lighting.

Don’t use rave music as most recruiters turns off the volume at the time of viewing the reel and listens only for lip sync on an animation reel.

VFX CG or Animation students should impress the recruiters with the pictures not with music.

Show your ability to learn new software.

If you are a VFX artist then concentrate on digital matte painting, particle simulation or meshing.

Get your hands in high definition footage, put incredible complex elements into demo reel to show the reviewer that you understand the concept of key, fill and bounce lighting, shadows, depth of field, colour.

VFX Compositors should know Nuke very well.

Working in the VFX field need professionalism; VFX is challenging and fun so respecting yourself and co-workers in the key part.

Be professional and respect your recruiters’ time.

While submitting a demo reel student should remember to add a cover letter, a shot breakdown and reel outline along with resume.

Mention about the software and operating systems used in the making of demo reel.

In your demo reel don’t mention about the software which you have used only one time.

Labelling should be done clearly and the delivered media should play easily.

Don’t forget to keep an online backup link of your demo reel.

Demo reel material should support the type of job.

Your material selected for the demo reel should well match with the companies requirements.

If you have interest to do high resolution creature work for movies then create some complex ZBrush material with rigged and mesh models.

Create your demo reel up to the standard of your dream job.

Good attitude is also important as the reel.

Impress your recruiters by your imagination and hard work.

If you fail to get the job don’t get discouraged, get the feedback and apply gain.

Reel must deliver your calibre to work within a complex pipeline.

Your reel must show how efficient you are to work within the collaboration.

Be open to work for partnership in schools, advertising, new media, industrial design and sculpture.

Working in collaboration will help you to develop your skills, patience and understanding.

Cross-training is important now days in the field of digital art.

Digital artists can gather experience while working with traditional animation team.

Modeler should study anatomy of human and animals to get the detail knowledge about figures; Modelers must understand concept of the work.

These day studios expect your reel through a link such as Vimeo or You Tube.

When the demo reel is ready to be seen it is necessary to decide upon your video sharing platform.

Vimeo is the industry standard.

Remember students Demo Reel with unique contents always get attention and easier to remember.

VFX-CG-Animation Students must keep in mind that Demo Reel is their gallery; it will explain who you are.

Therefore if you an aspiring student of VFX-CG or Animation then keep in mind the above mentioned points.

Contact us to so that our mentors can guide you at every step.

BEHIND THE SCENE VFX USED IN THE MOVIE FAN

Hi guys!! In today’s blog we are going to discuss about the movie FAN. Although the movie was not a blockbuster hit like expected but the techniques employed in this movie was amazing and was accompanied with a lot of surprising VFX.

The movie FAN was directed by the renowned director cum producer MANEESH SHARMA and produced by ADITYA CHOPRA under YASH RAJ FILMS production house.

To begin with let us first know the jist of the movie.

The story revolves around the main protagonist slash antagonist Gaurav Chandana (played by Shah Rukh Khan) a die-hard and obsessive fan of Bollywood superstar Aryan Khanna (also played by Shah Rukh Khan) and how he (Gaurav) unexpectedly tries to seek revenge against Aryan for turning his fan away.

For all we know the rest of the story is quite known and well-discussed in media already.

The main question that arises in this occasion is that how is the movie unique?

The answer to such a mind boggling question is the use VFX or VISUAL EFFECTS in the movie.

The effects used in this movie were so hardy and difficult to achieve that despite the prolonged attempts great film makers of Hollywood couldn’t accomplish it.

The VFX used in the movie was handled and monitored by SRK’s company Redchillies.

VFX along with the aid of a renowned VFX artist Harry Hingorani as its supervisor.

The Redchillies VFX used a one of its kind life sized 3D printed model (of SRK himself) to create a younger paradigm, SRK.

Apart from making SRK look younger and smaller accompanied with certain changes associated with the facial feature, VFX was also used in few chase and action sequences in the film.

Prior to the profuse application of VFX the main challenge for the cast and crew was to make SRK look younger for his role as Gaurav.

Maneesh stated that even the greatest VFX artist across the globe thought that it was not possible as Gaurav’s face should look similar to that of Aryan and yet different and younger.

But VFX producer Keitan Yadav believed that with the help of a mixed composition of prosthetics and computer-generated effects (special effects and VFX) the desired looks could be more plausible and achievable.

And thus Greg Cannon the make-up artist accepted one of the most challenging aspects of the movie-making process.

He said that the task sounded amusing but he was shocked by the number of days it took him to complete the task and make SRK look younger.

It took him a total of 70 days to complete the task whereas usually such tasks are attained within 10 days.

This one particular task demanded so much of their time due to the chubby cheeks required.

Therefore he began working with different moulds for different facial features as promised.

Yet he was not able to achieve the young look that was anticipated, as it was quite feasible to make someone look old but in contrast it was really difficult to make someone look young with such an enormous age gap.

He had to give Gaurav well toned and chubby cheeks. But after trying hard enough, one day Greg was wondering, while in his office, and discovered the mould of Brad Pitt.

He saw that he had an unusual cheek and jaw structure.

Therefore he endeavored to give Gaurav, Brad’s facial built which turned out to be successful. Therefore finally after 70 days of hard work he successfully achieved his goal.

But this was not only it. Greg and SRK along with the rest of the makeup crew had to patiently sit for 5 to 6 hours daily just in order to apply prosthetics and silicon on SRK’s face which would make him look younger.

They had to tape SRK eye lids and cheeks upside to give them shape.

They used plums to push SRK’s upper jaw up.

They used little eye brow pieces to make it look thicker. Then finally after immense hard work the look was successfully established.

Finally, after the completion of all the shorts the VFX artists initiated their work.

Firstly they all had to make Gaurav’s nose appear smaller than that of Aryan’s.

Then, they had to fill up the parts in between prosthetics and silicon. They also had to make the facial tone smoother and even.

Followed by this they had to enhance the gap between the nose and upper lip.

Then they had to make Gaurav’s eyes beseem bigger and move the jaw line slightly up.

Finally removal of the difference between prosthetics and the real skin was to take place.

Then the expressions were to be changed and the lips were to be adjusted accordingly.

After all the VFX used in face customization of his other physical features was started. For instance they had to remove Adams apple and muscles behind neck.

Then they had to shrink Gaurav’s build by narrowing and straightening his shoulders, and removing the muscles.

Due to the changes brought up in his body they had to perform several body scans.

To make correct and absolute measurements for Gaurav’s body scanning they were to be done while SRK was trying Gaurav’s costumes.

VFX was also used to achieve certain emotions on Gaurav’s face as an impact of too much makeup.

Apart from all these VFX was also used in action scenes.

The most seemingly unattainable part in the entire movie making was achieving a smaller nose.

The amazing fact about this movie is also that the concept about the film was first narrated by late Yash Chopra to SRK about 12 years ago but the filming didn’t happen then.

But finally after all the long waited ups and downs the film was completed and was finally released on 15th April 2016.

It goes without saying, as the VFX and Animation Industry is blooming in today’s world, and is needed in each and every place along with the unimaginable applications of VFX, it’s highly recommended to learn about it.

Join MAAC KOLKATA today. The place where you will be trained to become your best version and guided to know that the only limits is your imagination, and will assist you to achieve your goal and turn what everyone says “impossible” into “possible”.

VFX Breakdown Of Mirzya

Mirzya one of the best VFX film of 2016 opened in the theater with mixed reviews.

However one factor that nobody may deny was the sheer brilliance of the VFX & production styled by the team.

The picture recreated the legend of Mirza-Sahiban, and every frame was pure delight to observe.

Lets take a glance at the VFX breakdown of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s new journey.

The Story

Mirzya is a beautiful epic love story set in the midst of Rajasthan.

As mentioned the story is a real inspiration  by the name of the  legend of Mirza-Sahiban.

It is a  tale of two  lovers, played out in two timelines – real & mythical. Their trials & tribulations type the crux of the story.
Lets take a look at the VFX breakdown of Mirzya.

Ideation

 Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra got one of the best VFX team with excellent skills to shoot this fantastical  love story.

He worked exhaustingly  for 3 years, with  the actors designing, vfx team, to create this film.

The actors did their best too as they were strictly trained in horse riding, mounted sport, and polo and other physical activities.

The team

The best from the national & international trade worked as a part of the VFX team for this movie to give superlative effect. Where the VFX team had earlier worked for legendary film like Life of Pi, Cars, and Tron Legacy etc.

That is not all the film has polish cinematographer, Pawel Michal Dyllus, known to hardly ever step out of his country, made an exception for Mirziya, and was the director of photography for the film.

Chase Sequence

 It was high on action, and is considered to be one of the most crucial scenes in the movie. While there are no body doubles in these sequences, there were BHIM App Download over 30 horses along with trained riders from Poland chasing the lead pair. In all this, the back drops were touched to perfection.

A big applause to the VFX designers who make you believe that it was all set in an era long before our own. From the smoke to the flames in the air, the makers have ensured the scenes look as real as possible.

A special mention needs to be made for the night safari sequence in the film.

It was very high on action, and is considered to be one of the most crucial and interesting scenes in the movie.

While there are no body doubles in these sequences, there was BHIM App Download over 30 horses along with trained riders from Poland chasing the lead pair. So it was shot by the actor who acted in the movie themselves.

In all this, the backdrops of the movie were touched to perfection.

A big applause to the VFX designers who make you believes that it was all set in an era long before our own.

From the smoke to the flames in the air, the makers have ensured the scenes look as real as possible.

Locations

The locations for the shoot include the top notch palaces of Udaipur – Shiv Niwas Palace, Jag Mandir Palace, and Shikharbadi Palace etc. The production design was handled by Acropolis, of Guzaarish & Bhaag Milkha Bhaag fame, and the team visited nearly 50 palaces before deciding on the final palaces to shoot.

Conclusion

May be the film doesn’t have much success in terms of Box –Office. But it was nominated in most of the awards and it has even won a few of them.

The movie will be remembered by the viewers as one of the best VFX work of its time. We are sure we will be getting to see more of such work in future through our own Indian cinema popularly known as Bollywood.

JOURNEY WITH MAAC ANIMATION KOLKATA

INSIGHT ABOUT THE ANIMATION INDUSTRY

The demand for Animation and VFX  in India is growing at a rapid pace. We at Maac Animation Kolkata will be sharing the insight of animation industry through our blog.

According to the last NASSCOM report, the Indian Animation business is poised to succeed in US$ five  million from its current size. despite of its late entry.

Animation industry is on the path of expansion and experience a long way to boom in career. It has boundless scope for those who love to create magic. Even the World wide digital animation market is poised to grow double by 2020.

Indian animation companies and studios have been moving up the value chain to create own intellectual property rights.

Global giants such as  Disney, Warner Brothers, Sony have been out sourcing animation characters and special effects to Indian films.

Though this industry has been clubbed under the technology sector, entrepreneurs says the business is 70 percent  blend of artistic style and only 30 percent technology.

This is why small enterprises driven by the passion of art lovers are bagging notable deals. And what is the most exciting fact that the industry would give employment to the thousands of 2D- 3D Animator and VFX artist.

The growth of the animation industry and increase in outsourced demands have led to the emergence of various animation companies across india.

Cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore , Hydrabad , Kolkata And Trivandrum are becoming the country’s major animation centers .

These companies own- high tech studios employ highly skilled engineers  and are backed by state –of the –art equipment .

These companies offer a full range of services from 2D animation, 3D animation, Story boards, medical animation and animatic to product demos, viral videos, illustrations , logos, banners, portraits , caricatures etc. They also provide special animation services customized to the clients’ need.

REASON TO CHOOSE MAAC ANIMATION KOLKATA:-

The best way to pursue a career in Animation and VFX is to going through a Job ready industry preferred course and curriculum.And for this “MAAC KOLKTA” is the best option .

CHOWRINGHEE, KAKURGACHI, RASHBEHARI centre are the best 3D animation and Vfx institute all across Kolkata.

The basic USP’s of these three centers are —best infra, best faculty deliveries and the most important USP is – placement opportunities.

By the past fifteen successful years Maac  Rashbehari, Chowringhee and Kakurgachi  gave an ample number opportunity to their students.

On the basis of these valuable offerings and exciting education system students has established their own recognition in the field of Animation VFX Graphics, multimedia, gaming etc .

Not only the class mechanism , these three centers arranges special activities which helps students  to enhance their knowledge beyond the syllabus.

MASTER CLASS-

Every weekend Friday or Saturday MAAC Chowringhee, Kakurgachi and Rashbehari offers Master Class.

This session is specially organized for the students as to gain extra knowledge about Industry and Job roles. Subjects such as-“Story Board” “Web Designing” “3D Modeling” “Clay modeling” etc discussed in a vast way.

The master class is not only for MAAC Kolkata’s existing students, but also for external candidate. Who aspire to be apart of the session can participate or registered free for this.

Every Friday/Saturday 2 hrs is secured for this delivery and its totally free of cost.

The topic are the most important and exciting and of course  help full for the future – Colour Correction, Matte Painting, HDR Toning etc.

Each and every doubt is finally concluded in between the session. This type of classes are conducted from time to time to enhance knowledge beyond the syllabus.

So friends if you are very imaginative and overwhelmed about your career Join “MAAC Kolkata” where “Dreams Comes True”.









Contact Us:-

MAAC Chowringhee
Mobile: +91-9836321595
Email Id: chowringhee@maacmail.com

MAAC Kankurgachi
Mobile: +91-9830390356
Email Id: kakurgachi@maacmail.com

MAAC Rashbehari
Mobile: +91-9836321789
Email Id: rashbehari@maccmail.com