Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
fit on the screen without distracting from the work, at least use the space as
a key matched to your reel breakdown.
Contact Info. Most people do remember to put their name on their reel's title
screen, but a significant number fail to put their contact info there as well.
How will anyone reach you without it? In fact, your contact info should be
both at the beginning and the end of your reel.
Reel breakdown. Even if you label your clips, you'll still want to provide a
reel breakdown. That's a separate document that identifies each clip that you
used in the order in which you used it. The reel breakdown is also the place
where you clearly identify exactly what you were responsible for, in whole
or part. For example, if you only modeled one character or a few objects,
you need to identify and claim credit only for those elements. Ideally, you'll
want to brand your reel breakdown to match the reel itself, using the
same typefaces and general design feel so it's clear that the two pieces
belong together.
Reel delivery
Once you have designed and sequenced your reel, you need to finalize it in
player form and get it out into the world. See Chapter 7, “Repurposing and
Optimizing,” for some technical suggestions on encoders and players, and Chapter 13,
“Presenting Your Portfolio,” for how to disseminate and present it.
Creating multiple reels
As recently as 2005, you slaved over one perfect reel as your calling card, and
sent it everywhere. That has begun to change. In the current marketplace, you can
miss an opportunity just because your title screen and lead-off clip appear to put you
in the wrong category for a freelance project. This is easily avoided by planning for
the eventuality. We live in a world where the gods have given us non-linear editing
tools, and it would be a pity to ignore the gift. Use your time in Adobe After Effects,
or in Apple Final Cut Studio to build reel variations for the alternate job positions you
can imagine yourself being qualified to fill.
Multiple versions still require advance work, and they are admittedly easier for
a film/video person to develop than for an animator, whose clips need to segue seam-
lessly. But as you work on more projects, you may find that you have two or three
stellar projects that display different aspects of your talent. If so, you can create two
similar, but not identical, reels with different emphases.
 
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