Expert: Andre Hickman - 12/1/2006

Question
Hello sir,
I have no any special footages for learning or making Compositing techniques... and i want to make my showreel, but problem is same... How can i make my Showreel ? Can i use footages from Movies, Can i make showreel (with all main compositing techinques) without Video footages, can i get some footages from NET or anything else... please sugges me ? How can i proceed towards 'Showreel' ?

Answer
Hey Atul,

I wouldn't suggest taking videos from the web, because you could get into some copyright trouble for using things that you are not authorized to use. If you don't have any portfolio pieces to use that you have done for clients, then I would suggest making up some projects using home movies or still images or video footage that you have authorization to use in your Showreel, or demo reel.  

You can take a look at my demo reel on my website, to get a better feel for what you should be trying to show in a reel. Basically you should be trying to show YOUR strengths in design, and not just showing the functionality of the software.  Anyone can use the plugins...It is HOW YOU use them uniquely in design that is going to set you apart from the rest.

See my demo reel at: http://www.andrehickman.com/galleries/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=606

or you can just go to my site, www.andrehickman.com and click on the "galleries" link and find your way to it there.  Remember your demo reel should convey the things about you and your design capabilities that you want your audience to recognize.  For me, because I am a 3D animator, as well as a compositor, I used a mixture of elements of animation, and video composition, to show the full range of what I am capable of doing.

Cheers,
Andre