VFX/PDX

Kaboom.  That’s right, this flaming film strip is about the best and only way to describe what happened the other night at our annual Demo Reel Review – Portland.  Blew.  It. Up.

It gets better every year!  Thanks to everyone for participating this year and of course, our judges (Dan Short, Nicholas Wiegel, Michael Miller and Joel Stewart), who I’d like to thank first and foremost for taking the time out of their busy schedules and being shackled with the responsibility of picking this year’s winners.  Which was not easy.  In the same breath, thanks to MC Jarrod Allen for running the show.

Without further adieu – this year, in addition to the usual schwag and software, our winners also take home a trophy! Dubbed The Reelie.  Yes, really…  The Reelie.  Designed hastily in a furious late night, last minute session by myself, and then my mess of a model fixed and retopo’d by the one and only Felipe Mirez in the same late night session, and printed admirably at the final hour with the help of some amazing tech from the 3d printing gurus at 3DV (and you thought they only did software!) – I present to you the first in the series.  May this year’s winners don these trophies on their desks like the badge of honor that they are, and taunt losers and even previous winners of years past who can’t help but ogle at the glory that now has a physical manifestation.  We might paint the reels gold for max bling factor.  (btw- get in touch if you’re a modeler and want to design next year’s Reelie)

Now really (reelie?) without any more adieuing – our winners:

Best Motion Design reel – Adam Gill – judges liked the scope and breadth of styles and level of work, with bonus points for a fitting music track.
Award:  Red Giant’s Magic Bullet Suite + 3 months of Lynda/LinkedIn Learning
Honorable mention:  McKay Marshall (note:  last year’s MD category winner) – judges liked the sound design especially, and the smooth packaging that shows a rare versatility.

Best 3D reel – Eric Scheur – judges liked the personality that came through and the level of character animation, with all of it’s intricate subtleties, on display.
Award:  SideFX Houdini Indie License for the year + 3 months of Lynda/LinkedIn Learning
Honorable mention:  Ira Owens with an interesting look into his world of previz at Laika

Best VFX reel – Esli Becerra – presentation scored major points with the judges, as did versatility and visual impact.
Award:  A license of Blackmagic Fusion Studio + Neat Video + 3 mos. Lynda/LinkedIn Learning, and this limited edition, can’t-be-bought VFX/PDX T-Shirt –

(R.I.P. Bill Paxton!)  Honorable mention VFX:  Kimberly Lashbrook (password: holarango) gives us all something to strive for, and this decision between she and Esli gave the judges fits on so many levels.

The Audience Vote pick for best reel:  Neil Hilken
Award:  1 year of Lynda/LinkedIn Learning

Thanks everyone for coming out and (as always…) keep those reels sharp, Portland!