Having worked as a "student volunteer" for the last two years the best advice I ever got was: "rtfb - read the freaking badges!". You probably have no idea that you are talking to Mrs.HR-Dreamworks after stepping on her toe if you don't take the time to read her badge (a glimpse is enough - don't stare on her chest, though).

Also, a good thing is to take one day before the convention and take a walk around the convention center to notice some places for considerable food. The food in L.A. was, well, a disgrace to say the least (expensive and except for the Sushi not very tasty) but enough to stay alive. It is always good to know the surrounding area.

Label your reel on the outside and on the DVD/VHS - a simple thing though many people forget this. Imagine your work is outstanding but they can't figure out your name because the case is missing somewhere else. Better but address details at the end (and name at the beginning) of your reel. But there are many very good articles about demoreels at AWN, and of course there will be a course held about this topic at the Siggraph this year as well.

My last advice would be to bring a light sweater and a second shirt. Generally in the convention center it is amazingly cold and many people catch a cold underestimating this, but getting outside you can easily come back with large sweating areas on your shirt (esp. if you have a backpack). So, if you meet Mr. or Mrs.HR in the afternoon, better prepare yourself with another shirt.

I hope this helps, I can't wait to leave Germany again and get to Boston (though we still have to win the world soccer championship, first =)

- Alex

I'm sorry, forgot to login - didn't want to stay anonymous on purpose, so here again - logged in...

- Alex

Personally I don't want to look like a student, since i've been out for 4 years, but I'll be carrying many, many demos which can get heavy... so what would you suggest as an alternative to the ugly but oh-so-comfy backpack? A messenger type bag maybe?

This will be my 4th siggraph and I agree with Alex... definately bring a light jacket/sweatshirt/sweater! especially if you're planning to attend any masterclasses... it was so cold last year it made my bones hurt!

-Heather

Heather, backpacks certainly are functional. Although I somewhat agree that it could potentially make you appear more student esque, I'm not so sure that is a bad thing. imo.

Are there that many places to drop off a demo reel that you need to take that many? Maybe an alternative are DVD reels. They are accepted by most studios these days and are much lighter.

I always carry a backpack.. never had some try and shove me in a locker yet. :)

I'm going as much as a tourist or hobbyist. Is it still the case that everyone-- say even that Mrs. HR for Dreamworks-- is exchanging demo reels with everyone they meet?

So I am going to siggraph in hopes of finding a job, but I have only been once before. What do you guys (and girls) feel like an appropriate number of reels is to take to the conferece? Just for networking and application reasons. The last time I went I was just gawking at the pretty pictures so I dont know if I should pack 30, 50, or 150.

There is no absolute number you need, but here are somethings to help you count up how many reels you think you will need.

Go through the list of companies going to be at SIGGRAPH that you would like to apply. Don't forget that a lot of studios are not going to be in the job fair, but at their booth they still accept reels and such, so don't forget about them. Take that number and add another 5-8 more for companies you didn't know you would be interested that you saw and wanted to drop one off anyways. That will give you a good number of the small amount, then to be safe I would add another 5 on top just incase you run into a friend who is nice enough to forward it in for you to someone directly instead of just dropping it off with the HR people at a booth.

If you come back with a couple that is ok, sometimes you will just meet someone there that isn't accepting reels right then, but you may have to mail it when the conference is over.

I guess its better to have more than you need cause its bette than to be asked for a reel and not have one, but you don't want to be carrying more dvd's and vhs's than a blockbuster.

On that note, take a look at which studios are accepting DVD's and which are VHS's.. most places accept both and most are starting to prefer DVD. That will help you sort out how many you need of what. If you can't find that info, then ask them when you get there which do they prefer and let them tell you.

Just so I don't leave some of you out there with out a number, I think last year when I was looking for a job I brought I think 20-25 and came back with a little less than 10 just because I ended up not dropping off some reels where I thought I would.

You don't have to carry all of them on one day, you can always go back to the hotel to pick up more if you run out.

I hope that helps, I haven't looked at how many studios are going to be there this year or at the job fair since for once I am not going to be looking for a job, feels good not having to make a demo reel for a change.

Good luck!