The Lead Gameplay Animator will lead and mentor a team of animators to develop and build high quality animations for gameplay. As an experienced animator, the Lead Gameplay Animator will use their expert-level understanding of the principals and mechanics of animation and a strong technical understanding of animation pipelines to guide and grow their team’s capabilities. With this role, the Lead will work closely with the Animation Director, alongside Designers and Engineers in order to define and enhance the player experience through gameplay.
• *RESPONSIBILITIES – Animation Leadership**
Guide animation team in the overall look and feel of the animation, ensuring consistency in style and storytelling to the artistic vision of the project
Oversee the production process, including planning schedules and allocating resources (internal and external), ensuring the projects remain within budget and timelines
Work closely with other departments to ensure, understand the vision of the game and how those translate to interactive animation
Address any challenges that arise during production, whether they relate to creative differences, technical issues, or team dynamics
• *RESPONSIBILITIES – Team Management**
Manage and mentor a team of animators (internal and external) in various aspects of animation production
Manage the schedule and work of the animation team on a project
Work with production to establish a timeline and needed resources
Work effectively with outsource teams
• *Requirements**
8+ years of animation production experience, with at least 3 years in game development
Shipped at least 1 title as a Lead
Keyframe and Mocap experience
Creature animation experience
Highly skilled in all facets of animation: Body Mechanics, Facial Animation, Creation Animation, Mechanical/Prop Animation and Character Acting
Experience working with Maya with familiarity with mel and Python scripting
Understanding of all facets of animation pipeline including rigging
An eye for in-game results and how animation must support gameplay
Experience working with motion capture data
Understanding of physics simulation setup and implementation in Unreal and Maya
Receptive to feedback and able to work through an interactive process
Must be a self-motivated team member who takes ownership of their work
• *Plusses**
Working knowledge of Animation Blueprints
Worked on a VR project
Familiarity with Python
The annual salary range for this position in Los Angeles is $120,000 – $140,000. The salary offered may vary based on the candidate’s location, qualifications, experience and relevant expertise, among other factors. The range indicated is for base salary only and does not reflect the total compensation package, including bonus, benefits, etc.
We realize that skills and expertise can come from many different experiences and paths, and we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all of the requirements as written in the job description.
#Interactive #LI-hybrid
Skydance is a diversified media company founded by David Ellison in 2010 to create high quality, event-level entertainment for global audiences. The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across its feature film, television, interactive, and animation divisions.
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