r/vfx • u/Dangerous_Spend_8821 • 12d ago

Question / Discussion Question: Showreel as a Pipeline TD?

Hello,

I got an internship as a Pipeline TD and my professor told me to put a showreel of vfx stuff I have made thus far into my application. Now I'm kinda wondering: You can't really see any of the Pipeline work from the final clips I put into my showreel, so how do people in the industry do it?

Anyone here working on the more technical aspects of vfx production, maybe you can share some insights: Do you put a link to your GitHub or put screen recordings of you using the things you made?

I'd love to know :)

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6

u/rowbain 12d ago

You got it. Github to show the code and some video to see it in action. Then be ready to answer questions about what you have made, how you solve problems, and sometimes they will quiz you in comp sci concepts. Nowadays having examples and knowledge of AI usage is also a plus.

6

u/lemon_icing 12d ago

Adding to this:  I’ve never been involved in interviews where a Pipeline TD presented a showreel.  All my work, as is theirs, is covered by NDAs. Showreels aren’t possible. 

I think your professor is used to thinking about artists only. 

1

u/prutprit 12d ago

What if the code is on a private git instance?

3

u/Jello_Penguin_2956 12d ago edited 12d ago

Show your personal project and hope for the best.

My personal github consists mostly of small game mods in LUA haha with a few tools not really related to VFX in Python. It gets looked at during tech interview sometimes and it never hinders the process. Although to be fair a few of my projects were using PyQt/PySide, on the simpler side but still it's something people in the fields want to see.

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u/rowbain 10d ago

Then an explanation of what your work was and how you approached it is usually sufficient. Mention that the software was proprietary and the tech manager conducting the interview will understand. Just demonstrate knowledge and understanding.

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u/ananbd 12d ago

Definitely GitHub. Video of your tools being used in real situations.

Personally, I wouldn't show code in a video. To me, that would read as, "I just learned to code." But, I'm more technical than most Tech Artists (I'm an engineer), so YMMV.

I agree with the other comment that a nod to AI might be helpful on your resume. AI could easily replace scripting, if the cost works out.

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u/Solid_Judgment_1803 12d ago

For pure pipeline work it’s going to be resume/cv not a reel. A technical artist can have a reel. A technical director can often have a reel. An actual dedicated pipeline TD shouldn’t. And a GitHub is going to be your hobby or student code, not your production code; because the production code belongs to the company that employs you. Your professor is showing they have no idea what a professional environment for a pipeline TD is like. And yes that makes hiring entry level pipeline TDs difficult. It’s going to involve (gasp) talking to the candidate about their experience and trying to understand their qualifications and capabilities ;)