About to graduate, heres my Demo Reel!
Hey everyone, my name is Cooper Bates. I am from Vancouver, WA originally, but moved to Orlando, FL to attend Full Sail University. I am graduating in a week, and just finished up my first demo reel.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I know there are some weird problems with the crates in the first scene, but that only appeared after I rendered it out, in the actual scene file, they look nice and clean.
I am starting a 3 month internship at Full Sail after I graduate, which will result in a new demo reel at the end, which I am very excited to begin working on, because it will be much better of course.
You may also check out my website at http://www.cooperbates3d.weebly.com to see some more of my artwork.
Thanks!
[ame="
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CziuIjXUbss"]Cooper Bates Environment / Prop Artist Demo Reel January 2014 - YouTube[/ame]
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I know there are some weird problems with the crates in the first scene, but that only appeared after I rendered it out, in the actual scene file, they look nice and clean.
I am starting a 3 month internship at Full Sail after I graduate, which will result in a new demo reel at the end, which I am very excited to begin working on, because it will be much better of course.
You may also check out my website at http://www.cooperbates3d.weebly.com to see some more of my artwork.
Thanks!
[ame="
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CziuIjXUbss"]Cooper Bates Environment / Prop Artist Demo Reel January 2014 - YouTube[/ame]
Replies
Thanks! That was the first piece out of the 3 I created. Its a scene I am more than familiar with in person, because I am a big metal fan, and every venue's bathroom (I personally wouldn't call that a "restroom," haha) looks very similar to that.
Your signature on each page might be too large. Also, for the contact information, use a simple, easy-to-read font, and use a single color that contrasts well with the background image. Both your current font and the glow effect make the text hard to read.
In your alleyway, the gap between the cobbles is much too dark, almost black. You also really need a normal map for that texture.
The roof texture on the unreal map really doesn't work well. The green/white combination just isn't realistic. Also, I'd expect the plants to be dead rather than green & vibrant with that much snow.
Your prop textures overall are too simple. The radio is a fine example of a simple prop that could really benefit from a better set of textures. The normal map should show not only the speaker grooves and the border around the screen but also the more subtle texture of the plastic case, while the specular map will help to differentiate each material. Once you're done with the basic materials, it's time to move on to realistic dirt, grime, and wear.
Remember that you want quality, not quantity; you will be judged by your weakest piece. Spend the time necessary to make a great model rather than rushing off to the next one.
It might also be worth buying out your weebly site, looks far more professional & your own URL is easier to remember for potential employers.
Not sure about the Drop Shadow & Outline on the Hammer looks cheap.
And remember quality over quantity having said that I'd remove the Radio.
Also keeping your name and URL on your Images constant will look better. There also quite large and draw your eye to them more then the piece. you want your work to draw the users eye 1st then your name and URL because if they like what they see you'll be more inclined to look to contact you not the other way around.
Over all I like your Showreel pieces. I hope the Critique helps in some way. good luck with Full Sail
*edit DWalker is right your Showreel should be secondary unless your an Animator, FX or maybe even a Character Artist.
The unreal map was my first work in UDK, and what looks like snow is supposed to be sand, I guess it doesn't come across that well.
I will be removing a couple pieces from my website, and of course adding more in the future.
As far as quantity over quality, I definitely understand that and try to work towards that always, but since everything I have so far was done for school, I had time constraints on a lot of things.
Thanks again guys, all this information is very helpful!
Congrats on graduating. I went to FS too and interned for DRC after graduation
I like the environments you have up on the reel but I'd lose the gun. I know you have to keep 3 assets for now but it's not doing you any favors. It's not that its bad, it's just that you just showed us that you can do a lot better.
I'd focus more on the two environments you have, show some wires on those, maybe add some shots with just the detail lighting on so that we can see material definition.
I agree with what's been said above, expand your gallery section.
Initially I thought the images where banners that would take me to environment specific galleries. After graduation I spent some years in simulation companies in Orlando where I also did some hiring. Of course it was mostly FS grads. Not having a solid gallery section usually put me in a foul mood by the time I looked at the reel...
The reel should be the cherry on top, you've wowed me with your screenshots and now you're showing me that you also understand presentation and cinematography.
One thing to the reel, usually I'd just scrub through a reel with the audio muted until I found one I liked, trust me that's what most people do.
If yours gets picked for the full viewing, do not have you audio just cut off at the end! It needs to be polished and self contained start to finish.
Really solid effort, keep it up
Cheers