Senior Animator – Santa Monica, CA, USA
Description
Contribute to the development of the artistic techniques and processes utilized to define and achieve a product’s visual style or encourage artistic evolution within the studio
This entails expanding methods to improve the production pipeline, tools, systems and visual integrity
Maintains the artistic goals and vision through all phases of the game development cycle from pre-production through final product release
This entails ensuring animation assets are of the highest artistic quality and uphold the integrity of the games design and artistic vision of the game as a whole
Maintain a good knowledge of the games design to facilitate communication and enable early identification of issues
Undertakes research and information gathering prior to the commencement of a new task to ensure game design needs, reference materials, artistic direction and technological considerations are effectively managed to meet defined goals
Facilitates requests or information needs regarding any aspect of the animation creation process as requested
Capable of resolving a range of complex artistic development issues for both artists as well as other team members
Actively improves skill set and abilities by keeping aware of industry trends and techniques, evaluating competitive products, learning new software packages and traditional art methods
Possess strong time management and prioritization skills
This entails collaborating with the Production group to coordinate task lists to ensure assignments are progressing as expected according to schedules, milestones and overall project goals
Clearly communicate updates and properly escalate concerns to the appropriate team member(s) and manager(s)
Qualifications
Strong 3D animation skills, training and production experience (game animation)
Proficient in the use of Mayam or 3d animation package
Premiere/After Effects experience desirable
Familiarity with video game product development including, but not limited to workflow, tools, in-game 3D animation, motion capture, rigging, character skinning, scripting, cameras, cinematic animation and setup, and engine parameters/compression/optimizations desirable
Some previous or next-gen video game platform experience is desirable (e.g. PS2, PS3, X-box, X-box 360 etc.)
Good communication, organizational, time management and interpersonal skills
At least 3 years of industry experience or related experience
At least 1 published titles considered a strength
Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts or equivalent