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Getting Involved

Speaker Guidelines

Thanks for your interest in hosting a talk within The Rookies Discord community! This guide will help you plan and deliver an engaging session that provides value to our members while showcasing your expertise.

Choosing Your Talk Topic

Quick Tips

When selecting your topic, think about:

  • Relevance: What will resonate most with our creative members? Topics related to skill-building, industry insights, career development, or personal experiences tend to do well.
  • Your expertise: Choose something you feel confident and passionate about.
  • Engagement potential: Can your topic spark questions or discussions?

Things to Avoid

  • Overly broad topics: Narrow down to a specific theme or problem. Instead of “Game Design,” try “Designing Levels That Tell a Story.”
  • Too much self-promotion: Share your experiences, but focus on providing value to the audience.

Step By Step Guide

1. Choose a Target Audience

For inspiration, check out the examples below. Let your expertise and passion guide your choice!

  • Everyone: How to be great in a team | How to get out of a down period | Building Your Personal Brand.
  • Game: How to get into the Game Industry | AI in the Gaming Industry | Let’s Play Among Us Together.
  • Film: Jobs in the Film Industry | Film Watch Party | How to Present Your Portfolio to Film Studios.
  • 2D Animation: Mastering Timing for 2D Animators | Career Growth in 2D Animation.
  • 3D Animation: 3D Animation Principles | Career Growth in 3D Animation.
  • Concept Art: Environment Design: From Sketch to Final Render | Portfolio Reviews for Aspiring Concept Artists.
  • Digital Fashion: Texturing Techniques for Digital Fabrics | Building a Digital Fashion Portfolio.
  • Architectural Visualization: How to Use Unreal Engine for Architectural Walkthroughs | Career Paths in Architectural Visualization.
  • Immersive Media: Interactive Storytelling in VR Environments | Opportunities in the Immersive Media Industry.
  • Visual Effects: Lighting and Rendering for VFX Artists | Portfolio Tips for VFX Artists.
  • Web & App Design: Wireframing Techniques for Mobile Apps | Building a Career in UX/UI Design.

2. Choose a Session Type

Think about the purpose of your session and how it will engage your audience.

  • Mindset: Overcoming creative block | Staying motivated | Time management for creatives.
  • Insights: How AI is being used to create Concept Art | Emerging trends in digital fashion.
  • Feedback: Portfolio reviews for 2D Animators | Feedback sessions for aspiring game designers.
  • Career Development: How to structure an industry-ready portfolio | Understanding studio expectations.
  • Skill Building: Mastering Character Concepts | Hard-Surface Modeling for Sci-Fi Props.
  • Social: Show and Tell | Trivia Night | Collaborative creative sessions.

3. Consider Member Levels

Tailor your session to match the skill level of your audience:

  • Debut: How to draw heads for complete beginners | Getting started with Blender.
  • Player: Refining your character animation | Level design workflows.
  • Contender: Structuring an industry-ready portfolio | Photorealistic texturing techniques.
  • Rookie: Advanced lighting techniques for ArchViz projects | Creating seamless AR experiences for clients.
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You can learn more about member levels at The Rookies here.

4. The Format

Select a delivery format that works best for your content:

  • Lecture-style: Ideal for sharing insights or career advice.
  • Workshop: Hands-on guidance for skill-based topics.
  • AMA (Ask Me Anything): Interactive Q&A sessions.
  • Portfolio Reviews: Offering constructive critiques and advice.

How It Will Work

Before the Talk

  1. Planning: Use the steps above to decide on your session type, audience, and format. Collaborate with The Rookies team to finalise a date and time.
  2. Promotion: The Rookies team will promote your talk on Discord. Feel free to share teasers or announcements on your social media.

During the Talk

  • Timing: Talks typically last 45 minutes to an hour.
  • Participation: Present in a Discord video channel, and engage with audience questions via chat or live Q&A.

After the Talk

  • Stick around for informal chats with attendees.
  • A recording (if applicable) and session highlights will be shared with the community.

Tips for a Successful Talk

  • Know Your Audience: Adapt your session to their skills and interests.
  • Use Visuals: Include slides, live demos, or examples to make your talk engaging.
  • Encourage Interaction: Use polls, questions, or activities to keep attendees engaged.
  • Be Authentic: Share your personal journey, challenges, and lessons learned.

Technical Setup

  • Test your microphone, camera, and internet connection.
  • Familiarise yourself with Discord’s voice and screen-sharing features.
  • Have a backup plan, such as sharing slides in advance in case of technical difficulties.

How We’ll Support You

  • Pre-Session Guidance: We’ll help finalise your topic and structure your session.
  • Moderation: A moderator will handle chat, questions, and technical issues.
  • Promotion: Your session will be featured on our Discord to maximise attendance.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re ready to plan your session, let us know your topic idea, preferred dates, and any materials or support you need. We’re excited to work with you to deliver an amazing session for The Rookies community!