Why Animators Need Walk Cycles on a Demo Reel

Character walks with "Monty" by Neil Whitman

Every animator should have at least one good walk cycle on their demo reel.  It might seem too basic, but a walk tells a recruiter a lot about your animation skills — timing, weight, character, and appeal — all in a few seconds of motion. 

You can have a number of walk cycles on your reel, as long as they show character and personality, and as long as you keep them short.  

Locomotion & Mechanics Reel (Walks & Character Walks)

Above is a selection of the best locomotion and mechanics animation created by our talented students at Animation Apprentice.  Every animator needs to know how to animate a walk cycle, and then (having mastered the basic mechanics) to give that walk character and personality.  Every person moves differently, and those differences add up to their own unique personality. Congratulations to all our students and recent graduates on their excellent work in locomotion and mechanics.  Song: Ocean Drive Music by: CreatorMix.com