Demo Reel music

mvelasquez

I wasn't sure where to post this, but I figured since this was less a technical issue and more general I'll post here.

I was wondering about the legality of using copywritten music in a demo reel. How would you go about getting permission to use a track and more importantly will anyone really care if I use it? Is this something people will just look past in a professional environment or will I actually have problems or a bad reputation to deal with?

Ferg

I've heard this discussed several times... so far the consensus seems to be that nobody cares.

Though it does help to give the band credit at the end of the reel (also nice for people that liked the song and are wondering who/what it is)

EarthQuake

Honestly, demo real music can be very annoying, and most times dosent really fit. If I'm looking at a demo real I want to see someone's art, not listen to a linkin park song.

Justin Meisse

oh yeah, get rid of the long drawn out intro as well

mvelasquez

thats what i was feelin too.
I agree that a badly selected track can ruin your whole presentation. I was going for something more ambient that doesn't jump out into the foreground.
Thanks for the quick replies.

AstroZombie

I 86'd an applicant once just because he used Linkin Park on his demo reel. True story.

HausFly

[ QUOTE ]
I 86'd an applicant once just because he used Linkin Park on his demo reel. True story.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not a fan of theirs either, but one of the better demo reels I've seen lately used one of their songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jQtNhNGpHs

I often find that the quality of art matches the quality of music selection. Good artists choose tracks that compliment the theme of their work, while less experienced artists often pick music so horribly out of place I can't help but laugh while watching their stuff.

j_bradford

I always feel like this topic is over-analyzed to death. If someone had kickass work but were playing Aerosmith I wouldn't care. The art should speak for itself. But not everyone thinks like that; so your idea on ambient sounds like a safe route.

EarthQuake

Well, think of it this way. You're have a good portfolio, 10 other artists are also applying with good portfolios, but you happen to have some annoying music in it that could potentially hurt your chances, why risk it?

KeyserSoze

CRAAAAAAAAAAAWLING IN MY SKIIIN, THESE WOUNDS THEY WILL NOT HEEEEEEEEAL

rawkstar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8gNz8F2j6U

edit: on a serious note... why do you even need a demo reel? if you have a simple site all u need is a link, i mean unless its an animation job you're applying for.

bounchfx

[ QUOTE ]
CRAAAAAAAAAAAWLING IN MY SKIIIN, THESE WOUNDS THEY WILL NOT HEEEEEEEEAL

[/ QUOTE ]
*explodes*


on a serious note, I was wondering this as well. good info.

Emil Mujanovic

As long as your reel has Benny Hill music, you're an instant winner!
But seriously, as long as the music suits the mood of the art without being really annoying, it should be fine. But the ambient choice could be the go.

-caseyjones

Jesse Moody

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8gNz8F2j6U


[/ QUOTE ]

oh man that was awesome. lol
but i like this one better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3IYDgr95Aw&mode=related&search=





The reel that was posted with linkin park earlier in this thread does go pretty well together though.

I still don't have a reel and when I do I will be sure to use something that goes with it or nothing at all.

mvelasquez

lols at the GoW remix. I love how they sync'd it up where fenix jumps through the window
I don't want to turn this into a pimpin thread but whats the general consensus on my pick?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNKNAE3MtBY
Rawkstar: I really dont want one but its required for graduation

MoP

I think that's a fine choice of music... no lyrics, fairly ambient but with a strong beat. Fits well IMHO. Also feels in a similar style to a lot of actual modern "game music", so it works that way too.

Tumerboy

Just one point that I don't think has been made. Bad music is bad, but worse is making a music video out of your reel. I've seen so many reels where people tried to sync the pictures to the beat of the music so much that i couldn't even see what was going on most of the time.

Personally, I don't think music even needs to be added, and if it does, it should be the final thing put onto the reel, not the foundation of how your reel will be made.