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Animation Demo Reel Workshop
Nearly 3 hours of in-depth teaching on crafting a character animation demo reel that stands out: what studios actually look for, the mistakes that sink good reels, and how to present your work in the best possible light.
1 students enrolled Recorded masterclass · nearly 3 hours
English
20% off a reel review by Aaron included
£70 once, lifetime
0.0
Intro
A masterclass in getting noticed
The Animation Demo Reel Workshop is nearly 3 hours of in-depth teaching from Aaron McGriff, a 20-year industry veteran and Pixar animator, on how to craft a character animation demo reel that stands out from the crowd.
It is packed with insights and strategies for presenting your work in the best light possible, including several examples of reels that have proven effective: the common mistakes to avoid, the ideal reel length, ordering tips, what recruiters look for beyond the shots, and much more.
It is a recorded masterclass, so you can learn at your own pace and revisit it again and again. As a bonus, every purchase includes a 20% off coupon toward one full-length demo reel review by Aaron.
1.0
The Reel
What studios are actually looking for
The foundations of the masterclass: what your reel is and is not, what makes a great reel great, and the common mistakes that quietly take good animators out of the running, with proven examples throughout.
- 01What Are Studios Looking For
- 02What Your Reel Is and Is Not
- 03What Makes a Great Reel
- 04Best Practices, Tips and Tricks
- 05Most Common Mistakes
- 06Avoid These Altogether
2.0
The Shots
Build the work that belongs on it
The middle of the session goes deep on the work itself: what makes a great shot, professional work versus personal projects, which shots you actually need, and how to tailor the reel to the role you want.
- 01What Makes a Great Shot
- 02Professional Work vs Personal Projects
- 03What Kind of Shots Do You Need
- 04Tailoring Your Reel
- 05Assessing Your Own Level
- 06Raising Your Level Quickly
- 07Shot Planning Tips
- 08Character Specificity
3.0
The Finish
Present it, send it, get the call
The close of the workshop: presenting your shots properly, what to do once the reel is great, and interview tips from the pros for when it starts opening doors.
- 01Shot Presentation
- 02You Have a Great Reel, Now What
- 03Interview Tips From the Pros
- 04And More
What you’ll walk away with
01What Are Studios Looking For
02What Your Reel Is and Is Not
03What Makes a Great Reel
04Best Practices, Tips and Tricks
05What Makes a Great Shot
06Most Common Mistakes
07Avoid These Altogether
08Professional Work vs Personal Projects
09What Kind of Shots do You Need
10Tailoring Your Reel
11Assessing Your Own Level
12Raising Your Level Quickly
13Shot Planning Tips
14Character Specificity
15Shot Presentation
16You Have a Great Reel, Now What
17Interview Tips From the Pros
18And More!
In the box
Every asset used on screen ships with the course. Nothing else to buy.
| The masterclassFormat | Nearly 3 hours of recorded, in-depth teaching. Stream at your own pace and revisit it again and again. |
|---|---|
| Reel review discountBonus | 20% off one full-length demo reel review by Aaron, included with every purchase. |
| Proven examplesIncluded | Several examples of demo reels that have proven effective, and what makes them work. |
| RequirementsSoftware | None. This is craft and career teaching, not tool training, and it applies whatever you animate in. |
| AccessDelivery | Stream anytime, learn at your own pace. Lifetime access with all future updates included. |
A note from the instructor
I am a professional animator at Pixar Animation Studios with nearly 20 years in the industry, on projects ranging from Soul, Luca and Elemental to Inside Out 2 and Avengers: Infinity War. Since 2010, one of my passions has been helping aspiring animators build the skills to reach their career goals.
This workshop is everything I have learned about what makes a demo reel actually work: what studios look for when they press play, the mistakes that quietly sink good animators, and how to present your work in the best possible light.
Aaron McGriff
Animator, Pixar Animation Studios
Pixar · Inside Out 2 · Elemental · Lightyear · Luca · Soul · Avengers: Infinity War
P.S. Every purchase includes 20% off a full-length demo reel review with me.
Enrollment
One-time payment. Lifetime access, free updates.
The Full Workshop
The complete masterclass, the proven reel examples, and the 20% reel review discount, lifetime access.
Studios and Teams
Multi-seat licensing, private team workshops, invoiced billing.
Keep exploring on Animworks
More courses from The Animation Collective.
Common questions
Is this workshop beginner friendly?
Yes. It is craft and career teaching for any level: whether you are building your first reel or sharpening one for senior roles, the principles apply.
What do I need to follow along?
Nothing. The workshop is software-agnostic; bring your shots, whatever you animate in.
How long do I keep access?
For life. You pay once, keep the workshop forever, and all future updates are included free of charge.
What is the refund policy?
We offer a 14 day refund if the workshop is faulty or significantly not as described, alongside your consumer cancellation rights. Full details are in our Terms of Service.
Can I get feedback on my reel?
Yes, two ways: every purchase includes 20% off a full-length reel review by Aaron, and any mentor in The Animation Collective can review your reel in a 1-on-1 session.
Pay once. Keep it forever.
Enroll for £70£70 · lifetime access · free updates · 1 students enrolled