Monday, January 31, 2011

Demo Reel Research

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp-HMh-toHo
3D animation reel. 4 min in length Too long (4 minutes!) with overly loud music and multiple songs and audio clips..Shows off the artist's skills in every step of the 3D process.and her prowess over inserting 3D into video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c18k0-04bMY
2D/3D animation/animation director/animation supervisor demo reel. 6:10 in length, but with all the big name projects he's done it's understandable. Music flows with the piece and moves it through the entire piece. The parts for the supervisor parts are actual clips for the projects he's worked on. Overall it needs to have the sequences cut to in length drastically.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjkxrDUF9_w
3D animation reel. 1:37 in length. Character animation reel. Music doesn't overpower work and good use of characters w/in the animation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1hVLQGcINw
3D animation reel of medical animations. 1:46 in length. Music works well with footage and footage flows nicely from one part to the next.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSvujm630ds

After Effects & flash demo reel. 2 min long. Music goes great with the footage. Footage moves quickly and fluidly from one part to another.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nk6XLdJdJs

2D animation demo reel. 1:46 in length. Music works well with it aqnd the clips flow well from one to the next.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFpApt_xF5w&NR=1
2D animation demo reel. Music works well with the fluid art style and the clips flow togeather extremely well. Features stills, character designs and sketches as well. Ends abruptly almost as if it isn't finished.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB618k5ybM4

Video/sound/cinematography editing demo reel/ 3:11 in length. Music was annoying and the sound effects were weird and didn't fit what was being shown with no context available. Editing was funky and featured sever hue/saturation/contrast/brightness/shapness shifts with shaky camera work of extreme close-ups that made no sense, especially in the order they were shown.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iXqHq-P-GA

Video editing reel. 2:26 in length. Appears to be partial trailers for movies. Sound and video quality is horrible and sound seems to be off by few miliseconds at points. No lead in or out of footage and no mention of who or what company it's for except for in video description.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK-JhQbMuUU
Video editing reel. 3:37 in length, Clips taken from artist's video projects. Lead in of clips to a title card with pictures of what will be shown below. Intro music is cheesy and just sits there, not adding or subtracting from the lead in clips. The clips are well edited and music set to the clips go great with the footage.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Goals

1/31: Goals met! I have a minute and one second of animation total. I need another eleven seconds to have animation to equal the length of the infomercial sound and I need to redo two scenes of chaos footage and I'll be ever so close to being done. I've also found some demo reels that I'll be posting later tonight and I found two more jobs and have moderately unpacked them.


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1/28: Met goals for class. New goals are to finish timing out the video to the sound create the TV frame for the first half of the animation, get to a near completed state for the first half of the animation (minus the opening), and determine how many more seconds of animation I need to finish the project


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Goal = Record narrative for rest of infomercial, start working on Demo reel search, have interview with Gadsby done and summarized.

Gadsby meeting

I've met with Gadsby, and after a few minutes going over my resume and building different resumes and cover letters for different jobs we discussed possible job options, including my "dream job".

If possible, I'd love to work for Wizards of the Coast, a gaming company subsidiary of Hasbro that is responsible for maintaining Dungeons and Dragons, Magic the Gathering, Duel Masters, Axis&Allies, and Heroscape. To do this she suggested I try to aim for the gaming industry as a whole for a career option. We discussed the artist's role as a freelance image producer in such companies and how the real creative forces at such companies are designers. This has prompted me to 1)start learning how to use illustrator and Indesign and 2) create pieces for my portfolio/demo-reel that highlight my skills as a designer, both in the visual and creative process. While I will continue to pursue a job in animation I will also start looking into creative design jobs including web design as I have found I enjoy the creative process of web design.

Job hunt

UPDATE1/31 (Running tally/update of jobs researched):

Possible job 1:
Graphic Designer

Description:
We are currently seeking an experienced graphic designer for an opening on our content packaging team. The right candidate is media technology savvy but also understands print models. In addition to design and layout for print magazines and products, our graphic designers perform pre-press production tasks and package content for websites and other media channels. This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking team of talented professionals who are focused on content and dedicated to quality.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated proficiency in InDesign and Photoshop
• Technical know-how
• Creative, but with the ability to take direction well
• Attention to detail, ability to multitask and manage projects to completion
• Enjoys a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Positive attitude, strong initiative and desire to continue learning
• Able to react to change productively
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a team
• Strong communicator
• Experience with copy editing a plus
• WordPress or other CMS experience helpful
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Send cover letter, resume’ and links to your online portfolio or website to Christina Carden, Media Technology Director.

For this one I'd need skills in InDesign and a good portfolio of examples of my 2D work.





Possible Job 2:
3D Story Artist
Lucasfilm Animation US
Lucasfilm Animation, Ltd.
San Rafael, California - United States


Project: Lucasfilm Animation US
Job Duties(s): Character Design, Conceptual Development / Illustration, Rendering, Rigging (Character), Rigging (Cloth / Hair / Fur), Rigging (Facial), Shader Writer / Creation
Software Utilized: 3D Studio Max, Photoshop, After Effects, XSI, MAYA
Genre(s): Television
Bonus Eligibility: No
Relocation: No
Required Spoken Language(s): English
Required Work Auth.: United States
Start Date: Immediately

Job Purpose:

The 3D Story Artist works with a team of artists under the 3D Story Lead to pre-visualize episodes based on the Director’s vision for a CG animated television series.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Under minimal supervision, uses digital assets, including characters and backgrounds, to interpret a script as visualized by the Director.
• Working within scheduled timeframes, provides cinematic pre-visualization of Director’s vision by completing layout of 3D animatic scenes and sequences from start to finish based on scripts and input from the Director.
• Provides other concept artists with underlays and source art created in 3D.
• Tracks shot progress through entire pre-visualization process. Archives all project files, renders, and source images.
• Completes special projects as needed or requested.

Education, Experience, Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience.
? 2 -3 years experience in feature film or television production.
• Extensive training in and/or strong demonstrable understanding of the principles of story-telling, art and film.
• Demonstrated proficiency in scene, shot, camera, and character composition is required.
• Sense of comedic timing.
• Modeling, lighting, texturing, and animation experience strongly desired.
• Knowledge of terminology and techniques used in film, animation, and visual effects, including basic knowledge of photography and camera lenses.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Maya, XSI or 3Ds max required. Proficiency in other applications such as Photoshop and After Effects, as well as familiarity with digital video is highly desired.
• Ability to learn and use new software as needed.
• Ability to work under pressure as well as implement changes based on input from multiple sources.
• Ability to multi-task and work efficiently in a multi-user environment.
• Excellent organizational skills a must.


I For me to be able to apply for this job I'd need to be a bit more experienced in Maya, refresh my knowledge of cinematography, and have a good demo reel.





Possible job 3:

Institution: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Location: Memphis, TN
Category:
Admin - Publications and Editing
Posted: 01/26/2011
Application Due: Open Until Filled
Type: Full Time
Salary: $29,950.20 to $43,299.60 USD Per Year
Job Summary/Essential Job Functions: The Editorial and Design Specialist III will serve as a supporting writer and coordinator for the Health Science Center's various internal and external publications for the Department of Communications and Marketing.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Serve as primary editor for The Record, the internal newsletter.
2. Write, design and edit alumni magazines.
3. Support Web-based marketing materials, videos and any designated projects that serve as official university communiqués.
4. Assist in planning and execution of such special projects as annual updating of the telephone directory, as well as compilation of News Notes (electronic clips package).
5. Perform editorial and production work to include writing content, developing design and assisting with production of publications or videos as directed by the Director.
6. Works with the Director to develop concepts and direction; assist team with layout, design, pre-press functions, and assist with oversight of printing and distribution.
7. Provide support to the university with social media and related marketing initiatives.
8. Collaborate with photographer and Information Technology to ensure that the Health Science Center is well represented photographically on website; coordinate update of department's Web page with Information Technology.
9. Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS: MINIMUM REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or related field; 3 years experience; must be an organized with strong writing skills and experience with graphic design/layout. Candidate should be well versed with both Mac and Windows platforms. Excellent computer skills required using Adobe InDesign (experience required), Page Maker, Quark Express, Free Hand or Adobe Illustrator and familiarity with Adobe Photoshop. Skills required in scanning of text and photos, and experience in Web design a plus. Knowledge of Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia Dreamweaver also a plus. Must have solid knowledge of pre-press production and be able to handle multiple projects from beginning to end with little supervision. Must be experienced at and committed to meeting deadlines. Must have experience developing PowerPoint presentations. Excellent communication skills required, also must be well organized with ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Proficiency in Word required. Team orientation required. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)

Application Information
Apply for this Position through My HigherEdJobs
Postal Address: Val Jordan
Human Resources
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
910 Madison Avenue, Suite 722
Memphis, TN 38163
Phone: 901-448-5600
Fax: 901-448-5170
Online App. Form: http://www.uthsc.edu/hr/Employment/
Email Address: vjordan3@uthsc.edu


The only things I'm missing are experience in InDesign, Illustrator, 3 years of field experience and pre-press production, and a good portfolio of work.






Of the three jobs I've looked into the one I feel I'd like to pursue the most would the one for Lucasfilms.






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UPDATE 1/27:

Since talking with Gadsby I've been looking around businesses that do card games, tabletops, etc. The main one I'm looking at is Games Workshop, known for Warhammer, LOTR, and Warhammer 40k.
About GW

Gadsby is arranging for a tour of their facilities here in town this upcoming week so I'll have more about GW later. Jobs currently posted on their site can be found here.

As far as continuing research into jobs previously looked into,

For the Journal Communications Job the title, description and requirements are as follow:

Graphic Designer

Description:
We are currently seeking an experienced graphic designer for an opening on our content packaging team. The right candidate is media technology savvy but also understands print models. In addition to design and layout for print magazines and products, our graphic designers perform pre-press production tasks and package content for websites and other media channels. This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic and forward-thinking team of talented professionals who are focused on content and dedicated to quality.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated proficiency in InDesign and Photoshop
• Technical know-how
• Creative, but with the ability to take direction well
• Attention to detail, ability to multitask and manage projects to completion
• Enjoys a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Positive attitude, strong initiative and desire to continue learning
• Able to react to change productively
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a team
• Strong communicator
• Experience with copy editing a plus
• WordPress or other CMS experience helpful
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Send cover letter, resume’ and links to your online portfolio or website to Christina Carden, Media Technology Director.





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I spent a couple hours combing through job hunting sites such as Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com, but all art related jobs need at least one to two years of prior experience, even for entry level positions.

Then I got lucky.

http://www.creativehotlist.com/index.asp (posts art specific job listings from across the country)
http://jobs.hollywoodreinvented.com/a/jbb/find-jobs

The fist site has been more helpful while the second site has given me more ideas of what types of video jobs there are.

http://www.dynamicpost.com/index.htmlA nice video editing firm I found in Nashville.

http://www.prodigiarts.com/home.htmlA digital art firm located here in Memphis.


Possible Job 1

Journal Communications http://www.jnlcom.com/

Job Location:
Journal Communications 725 Cool Springs Blvd Franklin, TN 37067
Requested Online Materials:
Creative Hotlist Portfolio, Creative Hotlist PDF Sample

The company is a journalist based publishing company with a fairly nice reputation. Further investigation is required.


Possible job 2

Video Editing position for Amazon.com. So far I have not been able to find much on the position, leading me to think the post is out-dated.


Possible job 3.
part/full-time commercial job doing freelance commissions on the side until enough real-world experience is gained to find a better job (final back-up fail safe)

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Goal for Tuesday the 25th

I hope to not only have a rough narrative recorded, but to have the first half of the infomercial timed and be halfway done animating it.

a secondary goal is to have another 2 to 4 scenes of the chaos part of the animation done.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

BFA creative strategy

Log Line-
The Biotech Original Humanoid Servant, a surefire way to change your life!

Synopsis-
As George watches an infomercial for the B.O.H.S. (Biotech Original Humanoid Servant), chaos spreads across the world as an error in the B.O.H.S.’ DNA cause them to rampage in strange ways, until the world is overrun with B.O.H.S. and humankind lays dead and dying.

Tone & Execution-
The approach to my project is to create a 2D animated project through the use of Adobe Photoshop and After Effects as well as contemporary comedy that is dark and gritty at certain moments and light and fluffy at others.

Objective-
The goal of this project is to parody the mass marketing strategy that is information commercials (infomercials) and breakdown the absolute trust the product’s seller wants to instill in potential buyers.

Target Audience-
1. People within the age range of 18-28
2. Consumers of mass commercialism who follow the word of labels blindly.

Positioning-
1. Online distribution to video sites (Youtube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Veoh, etc.)
2. Student submission category in film festivals

Mandatory-
1. Story/Script
2. Computer w/ Photoshop, After Effects, Logic, and Final Cut programs
3. Time/Sleep & Food to keep artist alive
4. Vigilant eye on the clock/calendar

Inventory-
1. Story/Script
2. Assets for AE files
3. AE files
4. Access to computers with needed programs installed on them

Timeline-

Jan 23rd:
1. Rough sound recorded
2. Start timing first half of infomercial to sound and get halfway done with first half
3. Have 2 to 4 more scenes done for the second half of the infomercial if not completed

Jan 30th:
1. Have rough cut of first half of infomercial done

Feb 6th:
1. Have second half of infomercial near completion

Feb 13th:
1. Have rough cut of infomercial done and timed to sound

Feb 20th:
1. Have infomercial edited
2. Refine sound if needed
3. Start composing score for background music

Feb 27th:
1. Be halfway done with/near completion with score

March 6th:
1. Done with scoring

March 13th:
1. Final edits to project



The timeline is a best case scenario that I will strive to have done. Should I fall short of this then I will have failed myself, and failure is not an option.

First post

Senior Studio 2. First post. Dear God save us all. TT.TT