How to Make a Successful Portfolio or Demoreel

Portfolios

Put Your Best Stuff First -If the first 3 images on your site are “duds” your employer isn’t likely to look any further. Always sort by order of quality.

Remove the Fluff -Don’t include old works that are obviously worse than your newer stuff. It’s poison that will taint your good works and make your employer think twice about hiring you.

Make your Portfolio One Page – If you have 20 images in your portfolio, and your reviewer has to click 20 times, waiting each time for the image to load, he may just give up. Put it all on one page and he’ll love you for it. 

Don’t use a Flash Website – …ever! Flash websites are the most infuriating platform to host anything. Not only is it annoying to use, but it sends a message to your employer that you aren’t keeping up with current industry trends.

Link Directly to your Portfolio – About 50% of applicants sent link to their website homepage. Not only is it annoying to hunt for the appropriate page, but the reviewer may find the wrong page and judge your work off the “WIPs” category.

Demo Reels

Make it shorter – Anything longer than 2 minutes and the reviewer will probably just skip through to the end. Most people can cut out a LOT of fluff. Your work can be cut in half. So make it short. 

Music Doesn’t Matter – 9 times out of 10 your employer will mute your reel. Include music if you want, but don’t waste time trying to find the “perfect” track.

Credit what you did – In the corner of each shot, list exactly what you did for that shot (compositing, lighting etc.). Even if you did everything, say “Everything”, as it will answer the internal question in every viewer’s head: “What did he do in this shot?”

Include Breakdowns – They demonstrate that you have an understanding of the different elements that make up a shot, plus you it makes you look like a pro. Every bit counts! 

Include commercial works – Not everyone has commercial works, but if you do, flaunt it! It’s basically a testimony from the last studio that hired you. Your reputation will shoot up immensely.

Most Important Thing  Above All!

Most important thing above all is the work itself. If your work is average you won’t get hired.
All the above things won't guarantee a job unless your work is good. And good work should be applied and presented correctly so that it can make you appear more attractive to a prospective employer.
Post your portfolio or demoreel on forums and ask for critiques. You’ll get them. They won’t always be what you want to hear, but it’s the fastest way to grow and actually stand the chance of being hired.