What can I do to get that "wow" factor on a rigging demo reel?

RedShiny

I've trained mostly as a rigger. I find the challenges very invigorating. As such I've done some work (freelance mostly) but it's been a few years since I've been in the industry (long story short, I burnt out.)

What I'm curious to know is... What is the general expected knowledge and skills that a rigger tends to need in the biz nowadays compared to 5 years ago? Also, what sorts of things generally tend to elicit that "wow" moment when a recruiter looks at a portfolio/reel such that they usually tend to put your reel in the "give this another viewing" pile?

Essentially, what's changed in the last 5 years in terms of rigging that a person wanting to get back in needs to focus on learning so as to be up to date on the usual things they'd be expected to be able to do?

Eric Chadwick

Moving this from General Discussion to the Animation forum where you should get the right kind of eyeballs on it.

KielFiggins

Hey @RedShiny Glad you're getting back into the swing of things.  5 years isn't much of a gap, but there's been a few shifts for sure.
-focus on python scripting for autorigs and tools
-able to make rigs that can plug quickly into either Unreal or Unity engines
-built in dynamics or some sort of muscle system

Take a look at this reel, probably the single most well done and polished I've seen in a long while

limeforce

Mah god! Thanks for the link @KielFiggins ! So good!

Flynny

Keep it short, play to your strengths, dont put anything in unless you are 100% absolutely comfortable. EG dont make a reel that shows a lot of solving skinning problems if you hate that kind of thing