Animation Portfolio and Interview Questions
Now initial animation education is complete, and wants to prepare animation portfolio and need to be successful in at least one job interview. Get answers of some of your questions from expert Ed Harriss. He is also the writer of the famous book "How to get a Job in Computer Animation".
Q. What things should you keep in mind when creating portfolio?
 The printed portfolio gives you a chance to show off more than just your sculptures, paintings or drawings. There are some other mediums that video does not treat with justice, and if not presented on paper, will not be fully appreciated. An example is high-resolution print advertisements or film graphics. Your portfolio is a great place to show off printouts of complicated models or detailed texture maps. I’ve even seen some that included before and after shots. These can prove to be very valuable when you are trying to explain just what you did on a shot. In addition to your portfolio, consider putting some of your traditional artwork on your demo reel. It’s easiest if you scan the artwork (or photographs of the art work) and size/crop the images to video resolution. Once you’ve done this, you can dissolve/cut between the images on your reel. Try to leave them on the screen long enough that the viewer has time to understand what they are seeing, but not so long that they get bored and fast-forward over them. In some instances, your traditional artwork might be too complicated to show in its entirety on a TV screen and be visually readable at the same time. In this case it might be better to show a couple of close-ups of the artwork rather than the entire thing. A good example would be a very complex drawing that just looks like a blob from a distance, but when you get really close you see that it is actually intricately detailed. Make sure you send copies of the artwork/photographs and not the originals! If they get lost or damaged then you are out of luck, and many companies will not, or do not have the time to, return submitted material.
Why would you want to show traditional artwork when applying for a computer graphics job? Because many companies want to see that you can do more than just push buttons. While it may be obvious from your demo reel that you are qualified for the job, this does not always mean that you’ll get it. Most computer graphics jobs require an artistic sense and as well as a technical one. As a result, traditional art skills are usually held in high regard. A good demo reel with no portfolio will almost surely lose when put up against a good demo reel with a good portfolio. Not only does traditional art skill help the artist create better CG artwork, it also makes it easier for them to quickly share ideas. In the typical production environment time is money. Ideas need to be exchanged efficiently and rapidly. Describing artwork with words usually takes much longer and is less effective than words combined with a small sketch. If you can’t draw at all, it will hinder you at some point in your career. Some companies want to see portfolios up front and some do not want to see them until you come in for an interview. (If you get one) Make sure that you know what each company wants before sending them a portfolio. If you are not sure, call the human resources department and ask. All that is needed is a simple portfolio. If you are mailing it, do not send large printouts. The 8.5” by 11” images are perfectly acceptable. Roughly 10 to 15 images will suffice.
Q. What homework needs to be done before applying for a job?
Learn about the company that you are applying to. It looks very good if you can speak intelligently about the work that the company has been doing in the past. Try to make it obvious that it’s just the type work you are looking for.
Q. CD, DVD or VHS?
DVD. (Unless VHS is specifically requested.) No menus, no fancy interfaces. Have it start up when it’s put in the DVD player. Nothing is worse than a DVD full of great work that does not get seen because it won’t work in the DVD player or the menu system is too confusing.
Q. Which important things should your cover letter include?
Cover letters get read less than résumés do. But that does not mean you should avoid writing one. If you really want a job, then I suggest that you do everything that you possibly can to get it. This includes writing a cover letter. In your cover letter, list or describe the type of position that you are applying for. Make it short, but explain enough so that they can see you understand the demands of the job and feel that you want to work for them. Don’t use a form letter where you just change the first and last line. Include a few sentences that mention some of the work they have done recently. Tell them how much you liked it. If they’ve been written about in a recent trade magazine or a web site then read that article. There is bound to be something in there that is related to the job that you are applying for. If anyone actually reads your cover letter then they will know that you are serious about working there. Like your résumé, make sure that you use good grammar and correct spelling on your cover letter. Don’t be rude and don’t use offensive language. Neatness is very important. You want your cover letter legible. Don’t hand write it, use a printer instead.
Q. Any 5 Resume Tips?
 1. Always put your contact information, career objective, skill set, software proficiency, work experience, education, awards, memberships (CG related) and personal interests on your resume.
2. Do NOT misspell anything. Misspellings make you look careless and not very detail oriented.
3. Take Your Time. People who create their résumé in the morning and send it out that afternoon almost always think of two or three really good points that they wish they had put on it after it’s in the mail. Don’t let this happen to you. Start on your résumé today. This way, when you need it, all the information will be there.
4. Never put your Social security number, marital status, health, age, travel history, previous pay rates and reasons for leaving previous jobs on your resume.
5. Make your résumé simple and clean. It will be photocopied, scanned, e-mailed and printed. If it starts off messy, by the time the important people get their hands on it, it will be unreadable.
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