Ed Lynch's video game animation demo reel, 7/08

[OcheevaSithis]

game music and animations all are awesome

[pooyag]

great demo! really like the Bioshock part.

I am a recent graduate, have worked on a three TV quality animations, few months each.

I would really appreciate any suggestion as to what you recommend for putting on a game demo, roughly a minute. I really wanna move into gaming.

Thanks :)

[goatburgler]

The two biggest demo reel rules are keep it short and show only your best stuff. I should heed my own advice; I would probably cut about 1/3 of this reel if I edited it today.

[goatburgler]

Also, when Im reviewing demo reels for potential hires, Im looking for not only strong understanding of poses and timing but something unique to the character that isnt what I would expect, whether its a slight limp or a nervous tick or a posture that hints at a history. I see a lot of reels with what I would consider to be the most obvious choices. When I see something unique or shows that the characters have a thought process, I stop and take notice.

[pooyag]

Thanks Ed,

how about the content? for Game demo, do you recommend cycles or a short film?

looking forward to seeing your edited demo

[goatburgler]

I have two reels - one with game related stuff (this one) and one with the pre-rendered cinematics and short films that I haven't uploaded to YouTube. You want your demo to reflect as closely as possible the job to which you're applying. For the most part, if you can demonstrate strong animation and acting, I'll assume you can handle a walk cycle.

[pooyag]

Thank you very much Ed!

[rafanavega]

How did you know that THIS was your calling, your profession? at what time in your life did you decide "ok, this is what i'm doing for a living"?

As weird as this question may be, I'm really interested in the answer!

[goatburgler]

It's kind of a long story but in short, I graduated art school and worked a couple years as a graphic artist, didn't like it as much as I thought I would, learned and practiced animation on evenings and weekends until I thought I was good enough to charge money for it. Then after an endless number of rejection letters, I finally got a job at a game development studio about 10 years ago and fell in love with the possibilities of interactive animation. Now I couldn't imagine doing anything else.

[osahon489]

Wow Your Character animation skills is Awesome! Pls do you mind to critic my character animation reel it will be very helpful

[maddoxfanx]

Great animations. You did a great job for a couple of my favorite games (haven't played Pirates).

[w3bly]

you did all these animations?

[goatburgler]

I animated everything except the woman character at :26-:27 (I did the scientist)and the BioShock player character's hands at 1:54-2:05 (I did the boss character).

[w3bly]

these look really awsome do you still work in the games industry?

[goatburgler]

Thank you. Yes, I do.