As part of the application process for a VFX course, you will need to show a portfolio of your work and have an interview. To help you prep for both, we’ve put together some tips….
Your interview:
- Interview processes will differ from university to university - have a look at their website to see if they offer any guidance on what they’re expecting from you and what they want to see of your work
- Sometimes the interview may be with more than one person
- It is likely they will want you to submit a portfolio of your work
- Be ready to talk through each piece of your work and explain your processes
- Your interview should be a two-way conversation
- Think about the questions you can ask about the college/university, the course and the students so that you fully understand who they are, what they do and what the students went on to do
- Think about what inspires you or what inspired you to do your course
- It may be helpful to think about your favourite films, commercials, directors, photographers, animators, content, images, photos, art etc etc that you like and why
- Be prepared to talk about them
- Your passion for your chosen area should come across in the interview
- Here’s some questions they may ask you:
- Why do you want to study SUBJECT?
- Why this UNIVERSITY?
- Are you as passionate about the subject as they are?
- What do you want to get from your course?
- Who teaches the course?
- Who did you meet at the open day?
- Are you excited by any specific individuals and why?
- What are their graduates doing?
- Do you think they have a good reputation with industry? If so, why?
- What they’ll be looking for:
- That you show all the skills and future aptitude needed for the course
- That you show a commitment to improving your skills in your chosen area
- That you are excited and interested in your chosen area
- That you have a positive and collaborative attitude - this is just as important as the quality of your portfolio of work
Your portfolio of work:
Below are some tips to help you if you are putting together a portfolio of work. Have a look at the college/university website to see if they have any specific requirements.
This site also has some more: https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/how-to-make-an-art-portfolio-for-college-or-university
- Where you can, include examples of visual work across a variety of mediums; your portfolio should illustrate your working processes
- Provide examples of photography, image composition, design and concept work; a sample of your best work highlighting your main area of interest and skill would be good
- Show evidence of your use of any relevant software
- Put together a showreel of your work - no longer than 3 minutes
- Only put your best work in you portfolio and on your showreel - quality is better than quantity
- How you present your work is as important as the work you present - it is a reflection of you and your style
- Design some simple slates to introduce each piece stating the name of the project and what you did on it
- Keep the presentation of your work clean and clear - they will want to see what you did and how you achieved it
- It doesn’t need to be edited to music
- Ensure there is a consistency to your presentation - if you are adding headings, create a look and carry it through
- Take a look at examples of websites, brochures and books etc. They may be flexible with colours within a palette but they will have a consistency of style
- This blog gives tips on some key graphic design rules https://www.canva.com/learn/design-rules/
- Ask a tutor or a professional to critique your portfolio/showreel - get honest and constructive feedback and once you’ve acted on it, go back for more
- Create/regularly update a LinkedIn profile
- Create/regularly update a Vimeo account
- Create/regularly update an Instagram account
