Critiques Wanted - 3D Art Reel

JohnDraisey

Hey everyone, I just finished my first 3D demo reel and would love to hear what you like (or dislike) about my video. I'm always look for opportunities to improve, so bring it on!

Thanks a bunch,

John Draisey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5ppXc5EL8c

BagelHero

Almost all of these shots are so I cannot see the full model, let alone it's wireframes/texture flats.
Too much blur, action shots, DoF, etc, not enough focus on how technically awesome your modelling/rendering skills are or how useful they'd be in a work environment. You also commit a lot of showreel sins here-- no one cares about your video editing skills, your logo transition, a lot of employers just turn off the music on reels, and it will go unappreciated. The only good ones are the ship where you show the entire thing and transition it from wireframe to textured... but even then the slow zoom out isn't needed.

I think you'd be better off with just the portfolio site. You make static 3D art, you don't need a show reel as your skill can be better gauged with static, full images and breakdowns.

Additionally, from this range of stuff not entirely sure what your long term goal is here. What's your dream gig?

JohnDraisey

I see what you mean. I made the mistake of not making wireframe screenshots of my models or environments, so that's the first thing I'll fix for my 2015 reel. I was trying to make the still shots more dynamic, but I can see how that's working against me. From what you're saying, the whole video is too focused on being a music video instead of an actual show reel.

I've just been doing 3D work as freelance gigs pop up, and it's ranged from CG to game assets. If you weren't able to see a long term goal then I definitely need to add focus to my future personal and professional projects.

Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it.

BagelHero

Hey, no problem.

From what you're saying, the whole video is too focused on being a music video instead of an actual show reel.

Yeah, definitely. It's important to present your work impressively, but you also have to keep it clear, clean and focused. Looking forward to seeing where you go in the future.

Shrike

I feel you are including too much old work. Some things are really nice but others are really weak.

First scene has pretty poor vehicle design and its lowpoly, not even thinking about the DOF
The second computer thing looks decent, but too much blur and hard to see what it it
The computer room has some good elements but most of the modeling is very basic, without the offline render it wouldnt look good at all
The iron is kinda silly and dosnt really show off a lot, but presentation is good, nice fonts
The garage room is pretty nice, although textures could have more detail
That space ship, the form language is very weak and theres nothing special on it and basic modeling, not even baked, textures are weak too
The hand with the controller is well executed and clean, the gold mat and render should be redone however
The dagger is very well done, nice!
The ipads look good, but they float and the wood texture is bad, and the wallpaper of the ipad dosnt fit
On the rocks should have varied font usage, and the icecubes have a material that dosnt look like ice, should check that
Robots are ok but very basic
Room looks good but empty and not much special to it, would need more assets and a clear focus
Rabbit scene looks decent but why do the carrots float and its not seen properly as you cut it off at the end

My advice would be to cut all the old stuff and things you are not sure about. Quality over quantity. I would never think the same person did the dagger and the first scene.
For a goal i would advise spending more time on lowpoly modeling, maybe baking things down but definitely more on texturing

dimosM

Loved the iRON, 10/10 would buy
Keep it up

Swarm22

IMO, unless you have things that specifically need a video to be shown off, like animation, don't make a demo reel. Just display your work and breakdowns on your website. I'd much rather scroll through your work at my own pace than to have you decide for me.

JohnDraisey

Shrike wrote: »

Quality over quantity. I would never think the same person did the dagger and the first scene. For a goal i would advise spending more time on lowpoly modeling, maybe baking things down but definitely more on texturing

Then I'm definitely not leaving this demo reel on my website. I'll focus more on the high poly to low poly baking process, and look into how to do professional level texture work.

I was surprised that you liked the Dagger the most. I'll look into properly texturing that model and presenting it better. Maybe in a museum environment.

Thanks for your help!

JohnDraisey

dimosM wrote: »

Loved the iRON, 10/10 would buy
Keep it up

Haha, thanks. I'll keep that one on, but probably turn it into a short animation. Make it even more Apple-like. :poly122:

JohnDraisey

Swarm22 wrote: »

Just display your work and breakdowns on your website. I'd much rather scroll through your work at my own pace than to have you decide for me.

Agreed, I thought about what you and the others have been saying. So I took down the demo reel from my website. And you're right. It's easier just to scroll through the images.

I'll going to look for ways to make my portfolio more congruent and have at least some sort of running theme. I have the most fun doing environments, so I think I'll stick with those.

LaurenBamlett

Although it's been said before, I've always went with the understanding that unless your work is animated, a 3D turn around or a camera moving through a real-time environment, a demo reel isn't necessary.

Additionally, although more in terms of the ship asset(s) and the couch on your website, there are areas where I feel the mesh could be better optimized. That certain areas could use more polys where others could do without.

Definitely keep at it though, that Thief Dagger is fantastic!

JohnDraisey

Thanks Lauren, I have an idea on how to make the Thief Dagger really make an impact. Thanks for the awesome advice! I'll be back soon with new artwork.

By the way, is anyone joining the Riot Games art contest?

Brian "Panda" Choi

A lot of people have joined through the Polycount Riot Game Art contest already!