Problems with overlapping demo reels...

[davision]

This question is primarily for the Americans out there since it relates to legal issues....

I was the sole animator where I used to work. All the animation that the company produced was created entirely by me. Now that I've broke away and started my own company, I'm unsure whether I can show my old work on my demo reel.

One obvious problem is that my old company will certainly be showing my work (along with work from their new animator), so their demo reel and my own business' demo reel will share some footage.

From a fairness point of view, I think I should be allowed to show my previous work freely (since I'm not trying to sell it) however I don't know anything about the legality of such issues. To the best of my knowlege, there was never any type of signed agreement made between myself and the company that dealt with portfolio exposition.

Any ideas on what's allowed?

[percydaman]

well, if there truly NOTHING in writing that states you can or can't, then I fail to see how your employer could stop you. Its really up to them to protect their content, which is usually something you have to sign that states you wont use the work without their permission.

somebody will probably prove me wrong though...

[Morbid Angel]

As far as I know, you can show your work with no problem as long as you are specifying what exectly you did and making it clear on the demoreel and as you have mentioned not selling it or anything. But just incase, I would ask the other company if it was ok since like you say there was no agreement.
If you cant ask the other company, I would suggest stating in the demoreel that this is a property of "that company" and that you performed animation serveces for them etc.

[Dynedain]

Morbid's got it right I think.

When I started working where I am, I asked them if I could use the images/animations I rendered for my own portfolio. They said yes as long as I inlcude the credit that it was done for them.

It's probably a good thing to simply put the company's logo on the footage that was done for them, and indicate what you did. When it comes to demo reels and such, the people watching them to hire care more about what you did than the end product of the shot.

[cpnichols]

Even if you just did a small part of it, you can show it. As long as you state what you did on it. There are shots on Day After Tomorrow that are so huge that probably 40 people I worked with will have it on their demo reel... including me.

[lukx]

Chris, can you tell what did you do on DAT and in what 3d package (guess it was 3dsmax if your gnomon dvds are about it, but maybe I'm wrong).

[cpnichols]

Chris, can you tell what did you do on DAT and in what 3d package (guess it was 3dsmax if your gnomon dvds are about it, but maybe I'm wrong).

sorry... was all Maya and Renderman. On Day I did modeling and lighting.