First of all, you need to understand that your portfolio isn’t like other fields. While a content writer might have a couple of blogs and a singer would have an audio reel containing multiple reefs and vocal talents, you should work to have a video reel.
The length of the video is up to you and the amount of experience you have in VFX. However, the video should contain all the things you know and have done in VFX. But how would you know where to begin or what to add? Don’t worry, that’s why you are here. This is an article that explains what your portfolio should contain.
New into VFX? Here’s what you should know
VFX is short for visual effects or visual FX. It is the simple concept that makes what isn’t real or live become a part of our world. For instance, did you think the recent movie, The Lion King, actually took place in a jungle? Or do you think dinosaurs ever appeared in Jurassic World? None of these scenes are real—at least, they don’t exist in real life. So how were they created? Simple visual FX. VFX is the term used to refer to any type of manipulation carried out to alter reality and turn it into something else.
To build environments that look realistic for the context, it frequently entails combining these modified images with real-world film. These artificial surroundings are either unreal worlds or too unsafe to shoot in.
For instance, the dinosaur setting in the movie ‘Jurassic Park.’ If not everyone, the majority of human beings on planet Earth would feel highly uncomfortable being so close to a 15-foot-tall T-Rex. But it is not enough to know about VFX. If you are planning to become a visual effects master for a company that needs your service, you need to show them what you can do. This is for three reasons.
- It limits how much you have to say about your skills. When you show your portfolio, people immediately know what you can do.
- This is what puts you in the class of advanced VFX practitioners, putting you above amateurs.
- You can also keep track of your progress with a portfolio. Most people love having their portfolios online where they can access them anytime, no matter how long they have been.
How Do I Create a VFX Portfolio?
There are about ten things you need to remember while creating your portfolio. Note that this is a list for beginners. It will not list out the advanced things to add if you already have your portfolio set. This is a list for people who have not created a VFX portfolio from scratch.
- Have some of your work readily available: You cannot create a portfolio without work.
- Sort out your best work: After you have gathered all the work you can do, bring together the best ones—those you wish to show up and sort them from the most attention-grabbing to the least.
- Use Flow: While paying attention to the previous sorting method, you should also ensure a flow. Let your work be arranged in a way that the person watching it can follow.
- Find a VFX company that matches your style: Every VFX company has its own unique style and genres. Look for and match their style with yours.
- The works in your portfolio should be matched to the role you are playing: A portfolio is not a general CV. It is a specialized resume for the purpose it is used for.
- Add text to explain: The most effective way to explain this is to create your portfolio like you won’t be there when people watch it.
- Ensure originality: If the work is not yours, don’t add it. It will only bite you in the back.
- Keep the background music in the background: Using loud or distracting music will only do the opposite of what you want.
- Include your contact details: What is the point of submitting your portfolio if you don’t want them to contact you? Add your working phone number, email address, and social media address for them to reach you.
- Keep it up-to-date: Just because you have worked so hard to create your portfolio does not mean you can always update. When you have created another video that you feel is better than the ones you have, you can update it.
Conclusion
VFX is indeed a broad world, and you cannot know all about it from a single blog. We have more blogs like this, both for beginners and experienced artists. If you want to read more like this, be sure to check out more of our blogs. We would be glad to hear from you about our posts.