Career

Demo Reel

A short video of your best work

Also known as: Reel · Showreel · VFX reel · Animation reel · Environment fly-through reel · Game art reel

Definition

A demo reel is a short video, usually 30 to 90 seconds, that shows your best work in motion. It is standard for animators, VFX artists and technical artists, and also useful for environment artists with fly-throughs and for character artists with turntables. Studios watch the first few seconds, so the strongest work goes first, and the reel should be tightly edited, with clear labels of what you did and which tools you used, and a breakdown at the end of the most important pieces.

In production

Put your best shot at the start, cut anything weaker, and keep each shot long enough to be understood. Add a title card with your name, role and contact details and a shot list, and avoid long intros and heavy music. Show in-engine results with real-time lighting where you can. Upload it to a video site and add it to your portfolio, and keep a short and a long version.