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What do you put into a "demo reel"?

KlykaKlyka DO you have anySPARE BATTERIES?Registered User regular
edited June 2008 in Help / Advice Forum
Hi everyone,

I am currently working on an application for a videogame/lifestyle tv channel in Germany.

One thing they want me to send in apart from photos and my resume is a "demo reel".
Now I kinda know what a demo reel is but I'm not sure what exactly to film me doing.
Should I tape myself playing some games and reviewing them? Should I do lots of different things even if they don't have anything to do with the tv channel per say?

Any ideas?

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Posts

  • The_Glad_HatterThe_Glad_Hatter One Sly Fox Underneath a Groovy HatRegistered User regular
    edited June 2008
    What kind of job are you applying for? I presume it's for becoming a game reviewer?

    In that case i'd say you can ignore the demo reel request. A demo reel is comparable to an artists' portfolio. it could be some animations you made, played back-to-back, or some people just include many short clips their best work.

    If you youtube search the word "demo reel", i'm sure you'll find a lot of examples.

    The_Glad_Hatter on
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu PIGEON Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    They want examples of what you'd be doing for them. Since it's a TV channel they want TV clips that you've worked your magic on, basically. You didn't say what you're doing so I can't give better advice than that but that's the gist of it.

    TychoCelchuuu on
  • KlykaKlyka DO you have any SPARE BATTERIES?Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    I'm applying for a gaming review show as a host. So I would be showing/reviewing games live on TV.

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  • Synthetic OrangeSynthetic Orange Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    Use the demo reel to show off the best of your abilities that'd be relevant for the position. i.e. if you've got a good speaking voice, you might just record an audio reel instead.

    Or even try for a nicely done lp style thing.

    Synthetic Orange on
  • PheezerPheezer Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited June 2008
    If you've got film of you doing what you'd be doing for them, that'd be best. Failing that, they're looking for some demonstration of relevant skills in a film format.

    Pheezer on
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  • Descendant XDescendant X Skyrim is my god now. Outpost 31Registered User regular
    edited June 2008
    I realize that you're probably brighter than this, but I have a suggestion in case you're doing a reel of CGI, or any type of recorded media for that matter:

    Do not make the mistake of attempting to copy or ape any existing popular media.

    I have a friend whose demo reel is CGIA short of an anthropomorphic wolf character (think Fox McCloud) fighting "Dr. Wiley." You can't make this shit up. And for some reason he was surprised when he sent out his reel and had no takers.

    He's a shift manager at a Real Canadian Superstore now. Think Canada's Wal-Mart.

    Descendant X on
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