Deborah R. Fowler
Career Advice Basic Reminders
Posted on Dec 13 2017Updated May 22 2022
Demo Reels
Here are some general tips about demo reels, cover emails, interviews. Most students know the obvious ones such as do not misrepresent or lie, do not chew gum during an interview, do dress up (it shows respect), do be on time (shows respect - that applies to classes too)
Guidelines/Checklist:
- students reels < 2 minutes. Edit!
- best work first. Always!
- "When in doubt take it out"
- spell check, spell check, spell check
- spell check your tag lines on your video
- (consistent font as well)
- make it clear what you are responsible for - this is far more important than software
- breakdowns where possible
- industry should not be the first to see your reel (check with your professors, peers, friends, family - all will have opinions - then filter)
- include a breakdown page - make clear what you are responsible for, what software you used, include it on your website
- have a website!
- demo reel (and the home page should land on it so the user only has to hit play)
- breakdown page
- resume
- contact info (which should be on your resume, and on an about
or
how to
reach me section)
- ONE
PAGE
- your contact information should be easy to find
- experience
should
be
at
the
top, not education with some exceptions
- expected date of graduation lets people know when you will be available
- spell check spell check spell check - and then read it over and then have someone else proof read it
Cover letters/email:
- keep it concise
- remember that email has no vocal intonation - carefully word and have someone else read it over before you hit send
- this is a first impression, go formal until you have a cue to do otherwise
- do not use Mrs. (unless they have used it in an email signature)
- research the receiver, person and company - (google/linkedin
are
a great resource)
- answer the question they ask (many of us have a tendency to focus on what we were last trying to solve)
- listen carefully
- be concise but appropriate length
- spin things positive (don't lie, but instead of saying, I don't know that, say, I haven't had experience but would be interested in learning and relate it back to something you do know)
- be yourself, you are allowed to be nervous
- practice, practice, practice
- know your work, your resume and your reel - be prepared
- know the company and your interviewers if possible
Other Resources:
An
excellent
article about cover letters exists here.
Note the parts of a cover
letter are summarized on the
above website:
- First Paragraph - Why you are writing
- Middle Paragraphs - What you have to offer the employer (be specific)
- Final Paragraph - How you will follow-up
Also include information about:
- Name
- Discipline
- Email Address
- Phone number
- Link to website
- Graduation Date
Some excellent demo reels exist on the student
examples
page
Some advice from a Pixar intern NOTE THAT NOW 2minutes is the
max https://sites.google.com/a/nv.ccsd.net/pixar/working-at-pixar
An interesting article from linkedin on interview advice here
Creative heads is a great source of job
listings and
... talk to your CAS rep!