INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A demo reel is a brief video summary of your past projects, and is an essential means of showing your skills to anyone considering hiring you for a project. An ideal demo reel should run from one to two minutes. While this may seem like a short amount of time, it's important to show that you are capable of producing a video that is succinct and representative of your work. . Demo reels generally come in two format: a collage format which is essentially a mash-up of previous projects, and a sample format, which shows several scenes running about 20 seconds long from previous projects. In general, collage formats are best if you are interested in commercial or other short-form work, while sample formats are better if you're interested in longer, narrative-based projects. You may choose to create a portfolio online that has full-length videos of your work. If you do create a portfolio, make sure that they demo reel is the first thing in it. Your demo reel and portfolio should absolutely be online. Do not pass out DVD's of your portfolio; these are obsolete. Instead, create and post the demo reel online. Search Craigslist or industry-specific sites or newsletters for any projects that need video production help. These may be projects like producing music videos for local bands, or producing wedding videos. Keep in mind that these kinds of projects may range in terms of compensation that they offer, but they can be great for building your resume or even getting your name recognized. In general, try to go for projects that have some artistic value and give you some license. This way your individual voice and skills will be able to shine through your work. When you have found a project that interests you, contact the person running the project through phone, email or whatever contact method they have provided. Briefly state your interest in the project, as well as your past experience. Also state how your involvement would help the project. If you are emailing, include the demo reel that you created. If you are calling, suggest that you email them the reel. If you have free time, you can also make your own videos. Produce them for friends, or even make short films to enter into film competitions. Although you may not make money doing this, it can be a great way to develop your portfolio or get recognition. If you are ambitious and confident in your abilities, you decide to start a film production company. This will take a lot of work and determination, as well as some money to begin with. However, you will be able to have full control of your work, and you can more easily make a name for yourself.

SUMMARY: Create a demo reel. Look for gigs. Apply for gigs. Produce your own videos. Start your own production company.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Draw the tattoo design you'd like on a regular sheet of printer paper, in pencil. It should look exactly how you want your tattoo to look, because it will transfer exactly that way to the transfer paper. Thermographic transfer paper actually comes in a set of three sheets an under sheet, a black piece of carbon paper, and a top transfer sheet where the carbon copy will appear. Place the piece of paper with your original design under the carbon paper and on top of the under sheet. This is specialty equipment that you can find in some tattoo shops. Some printing shops might also have the transfer maker you need. Exactly how you feed the papers in will depend on the exact model maker you have, but the design should always go in face down. Once you've run the transfer paper through the transfer maker, you'll have an exact replica of your initial design on the top piece of carbon paper. Tear the carbon copy off of the set of transfer paper. It might take a couple of tries to get your design exactly where the customer wants it. Ask them repeatedly to make sure they're happy with the eventual position. Mix up a solution of soapy water it should be soapy enough that you get bubbles. You can use a regular, mild dish soap. Dip a cloth in the soapy water and then rub it on the skin where the tattoo will go. Once your client's skin is wet with soapy water, realign the carbon copy of the tattoo over the skin. Ask for your client's approval of the placement, and then press the carbon copy down. Use your hands to completely smooth it out. As you do that, press down, to make sure that the design transfers. As you lift the carbon copy away from your client's skin, you should see the transferred design. If you notice there are places where the design didn't come through, lay the carbon copy back down gently and press a bit harder. Ask you client to approve the final placement once the design has transferred. If they aren't happy, remove the design by wiping down your client's skin with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. Repeat the process to create a new carbon copy of the design and apply it to your client's skin.

SUMMARY:
Create your tattoo design in pencil. Slide your original design under the carbon paper. Put the whole set of papers through a thermographic transfer maker. Remove the top carbon copy from the rest of the transfer paper. Situate the carbon copy where your client wants the tattoo. Wet down your customer's skin with soapy water. Press the carbon copy down onto your client's skin. Lift off the carbon copy. Repeat these steps if your client isn't happy with the placement.