I just received the December 2009 issue of 3D World magazine; check out the article, A - Z of CGI Clichés, it describes the commonly over-done CG techniques and practices within today's CG community. Students and amateurs tend to lean to certain themes and cool effects; it becomes quit oblivious if you spend time on any CG board or gallery. I think we have all done it for one reason or another. I drew Marvel characters when I was younger and created Star Wars CG models when I started 3d; I think we have all done it. There are just certain things that have a “coolness” factor, a recognizably to peers, or some things are just new and trendy, like sub-surface scattering. It seems that the classroom and community boards incubate a number of these clichés and some are even a part of my curriculum. I don't think we are the only ones; I have seen some pretty interesting college program demo reels - yipes. The good thing is, my students have stopped turning in Mech Warriors or dragons, but I did recently see some psychedelic mushrooms, a few electric guitars, tons of sports cars and cell phones.
Now I do understand why some things tend to be a bit more common in the schools, like animating flour bags. Some exercises are great skill builders. Cell phones are great for modeling practice, they can be completed in a few days, no one has the same project, tons of reference resources, and they can go through the whole process from through to the final render with out taking up too much time. They are good technical skill building exercises and lets face it, modeling a Lamborghini is much more exciting than a garbage truck or mid 80s Chevette.
With all that said, if a “cliché” project is well executed and demonstrates exceptional skills, put it in your reel and be proud of it. Just keep the industry “clichés” in mind.
