Where film is concerned, I think he's got a good point - but for the specific topic of animation demo reels, I really started to question where I stood. I'll be one of the first people who jumps to defend animation as something that isn't just for kids, so why am I advising avoiding adult material in an animation demo reel? Animated CGI used in movies often calls for violence, graphic gore, sexuality. I can't even name the number of video games that require animators skilled enough in liquid and particle animation to create convincing blood spatters.
So what's an animator to do? Well, it depends on the type of jobs you're targeting. If you want to work producing animated shows about fluffy bunnies teaching kids the wonders of good hygiene, I wouldn't advise sending recruiters a demo reel where said fluffy bunnies walk into a room and pull a Boondock Saints on everyone inside. But if you're applying to work for a video game company that specializes in bloody action games, it can't hurt to demonstrate that you're capable of delivering the kind of animations they'll need.
The key is moderation, and remembering professionalism even when you're blowing someone's brains across the screen. You can animate blood, gore, and sex while keeping it to a tasteful level appropriate to a job application. And if you need to, create two demo reels. Swap the bloody or sexual clips with some milder things for use in applying for jobs that require less racy skills, or just cut the questionable clips altogether. Keep a separate version with the heavier, meatier clips to demonstrate when it's appropriate.
To me there's no clear black-and-white answer; it's more a matter of using good judgment. What do you think? Are R-rated and X-rated materials sometimes appropriate in an animation demo reel?
