#04 - Is Your VFX Portfolio Holding You Back? Stop Doing THIS with Your Portfolio
Hey there,
Building a strong VFX portfolio isn’t just about showing off all your work. It’s about strategically tailoring your work to fit what studios are looking for and demonstrating the appropriate skills.
Let’s dive into how you can craft a portfolio that not only shows your talent but makes you stand out in the industry:
Less Is More: Focus on Quality, Not Quantity
You might feel the urge to fill your portfolio with every effect you’ve ever made, but trust me - quality over quantity is key. Think about what’s going to catch the eye of a hiring manager? A bunch of short clips that lack impact? Or a few well-polished pieces that highlight your abilities?
When building your portfolio, ask yourself:
Does each piece showcase your strongest skills?
Is there a clear focus or is it all over the place?
Tailor Your Work to the Studio or Game Genre
Not all game studios are looking for the same thing & your portfolio should reflect this:
For a realistic FPS: Your portfolio needs to highlight realistic bullet impacts, blood spurts or explosions that match the naturalistic feel of the game.
For a stylized fantasy RPG: You’ll want to showcase magical VFX with exaggerated motion and visually striking colors.
For mobile or VR: Simplicity and performance are key. Impactful VFX that don’t overwhelm performance limitations are important.
Take a minute to research the type of game the studio you’re applying to works on. Does your portfolio speak their visual language? If not, consider tweaking or adding effects that would fit.
Consider A Demo Reel
Instead of a portfolio with multiple separate pieces, consider a targeted demo reel.
Start Strong: Lead with your absolute best work that grabs attention right from the first few seconds.
Show Versatility: Focus on the effects that show both technical ability and creativity. Make each piece count!
Keep It Focused: This isn’t a highlight reel of everything you’ve done - it’s a curated showcase. Quality first!
Resolution: Make sure your videos are high-res with a consistent frame rate. Compressed, low-res clips can be difficult to appreciate.
Don’t Forget Personal Projects
If you don’t have commercial work yet, personal projects are your secret weapon. Personal projects allow you to experiment with different game genres or art styles you want to pursue. Some examples can include:
Game Jams
Student Projects
Fan Art
Try to document your process - from concept & reference gathering to blockout, iteration & final result. This shows that you understand how to approach problems and think critically about building VFX.
So, what’s your next step?
Take a good, hard look at your current portfolio. Does it speak to the studios you’re targeting? Does it showcase your best work? If not, don’t stress - use the tips in this newsletter to guide you as you improve it. Embrace the process & keep refining, adapting and adding new work that challenges and excites you.
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Thanks for reading!
