What Do DNEG Animation Look For in a Demo Reel? - More Acting and Dialogue Shots

DNEG Animation Team

On 21st March we hosted an event with DNEG Animation, in which around 60 of our animation students got personal feedback on their animation reels, from Andrew Schlussel - Senior Director, Training and Development DNEG Animation, Dara McGarry - Director of Outreach at DNEG Animation and Bridget Dash - Senior Talent Acquisition for DNEG Feature Animation. 

At Escape Studios we host regular industry feedback sessions, where students can get feedback from industry guests.  Industry feedback is important because it helps to keep us grounded in the real world of the animation industry, reminding us of what animators will be expected to do when they face actual clients.

The big note from DNEG Animation? More acting and dialogue shots, please. 

DNEG Feedback

Overall, DNEG Animation were delighted with the quality of the work done by our students. However they had some thoughts on ways in which our students could raise the level of their demo reels: 

• More Acting and More Dialogue, especially for those Escapees whose aim is to work in feature animation. A solid acting shot sells your ability to create an entertaining performance.  Why not enter this month's 11 Second Club Competition? 
• Know Your Speciality.  Today the animation industry has become very specialised - our Escapees should focus on which bit of the animation industry they would like to aim for, whether it is character animation, creature animation or games animation. 
• Make Sure Your Animation Suits your Dream - tailor your reel for the job you are applying for.  Your reel will ideally be aiming for the industry role you are interested in. 

DNEG Internship

Dara McGarry: DNEG

 

DNEG Animation also talked about their upcoming summer internship programme, advising on what they are looking for in applications to their summer internship.  

Escapees at DNEG
Many Escapees have joined DNEG in recent years:

• Tendai Mande Sweatbox TD at DNEG
• Shanae Bedford, runner at DNEG
• Emma Riddel Creature TD at DNEG
• Alex Budulan Unreal Engine TD at DNEG
• Guy Penwill VFX Artist at DNEG
• Compositor Denise Esposito Joins DNEG

Interview and Demo Reel Resources at Escape Studios

Escape Animators visit Blue Zoo Animation

To see more resources on animation jobs and careers generally, see the the links below:

• How to create a great animation demo reel
• Escape Studios Showreel Guide
• The Number One Reason Why Animation Graduates Don't Get Hired
• Why Animators Need to Be on Linkedin
• Should Graduates Accept a Job as a Runner?
• Demo Reel Tips with Kevin Richards from "Pop Paper City"
• Demo Reel Tips from Cinesite
• Careers Webinar with Blue Zoo, ILM and Jellyfish Animation

DNEG Feedback
Escape Studios regularly benefits from the generosity of DNEG artists who supply regular feedback and critique for our students. Thanks to Dara McGarry and Santi Columbo who gave up their time in 2022 to mentor our students and Escapees.

The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects. To find out more about our new BA/MArt starting in September 2023, follow this link.   To apply, visit the official page here.