Character Animator

Spark is looking for an experienced Character Animator to join us in making a breakout hit based on an established console franchise. This is an opportunity for you to have a hand in creating a bold new take on 3rd Person Action Slasher with Horror elements for the Ps3 and Xbox360. They should have a thorough knowledge of classical animation principles, a strong grasp of animation pipelines, and be a veteran game developer. The ideal candidate is both an outstanding animator and can work with high-level direction, possessing strong production-sensibilities, and the talent to produce and implement the highest quality work.

Responsibilities

• Create high quality character animation at a high quality bar for next-generation console development.
• Work closely with the Lead Animator and colleagues to develop animation assets that fulfill the requirements of the project’s game design and visual design.
• Consistently meet project deadlines in a timely manner without compromising artistic integrity./li>
• Assist in the integration of animation with designers and engineers to create compelling in-game animation.
• Work in a team-oriented environment and use organizational and interpersonal skills on a daily basis and bring a creative and proactive attitude to the task of animating performances.
• Work with a group of animators to create compelling and consistent performances for all major characters and utilizes both hand and mo-cap animation techniques to create animation of primary and secondary characters.
• Work collaboratively with all levels of the development team, including active participation in Spark’s agile-development process. Cultivate a positive team dynamic, and exhibit a professional attitude by demonstrating a good balance between creativity and practical flexibility./li>

Requirements

• Demonstrated professional character animation experience in the entertainment industry, showing command of weight, timing and posing through key-framing.
• 2-4 years professional character animation experience on multiple projects. Proven industry experience, shipped game projects highly desired.
• Thorough understanding of Autodesk Maya.
• Strong understanding of classic animation principles and its fundamentals (staging, timing, anticipation, follow through, exaggeration, squash and stretch) as well as the ability to create the full range of lifelike performances from the subtle to the dramatic and powerful. Demonstrated by a strong portfolio.
• Experience animating both male and female bipedal characters that showcases both acting/pathos and action performances.
• Experience in animating creatures, as well as, mechanical (machinery) animation..
• Experience with facial animation and lip-synch.
• Excellent communication, time-management and organizational skills. A strong ability to work across multiple disciplines to gather feedback and address cross-functional issues. Penchant for practical innovation and the ability to bring new ideas to the table.
• Passionate player of games with an ability to analyze competitive products for their strengths and weaknesses.

Preferred Skills

• Strong traditional animation/art background (B.A. or equivalent degree).
• Previous animation experience on a shipped next generation console project.
• Unreal 3 Engine experience.
• Third person sword or melee combat genre experience.
• Experience working in an Agile/Scrum development environment.
• Proficient with Autodesk motion Builder.
• Experience with motion capture pipelines and data adjustment in a game environment.

• Applicants must be able to work at our Sherman Oaks, California studios.
• Email only. No visits or phone calls, please.
• The Subject line of your email must reference the job title and your name, like this: Character Animator: Last name, First name
• Include your resume as an email attachment, preferably as a PDF or in Word 2003 or later format.
• Include links to online portfolio or send demo reel materials to Spark Unlimited, Attn: Animation Dept, 15000 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 202, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. No drop offs please.
• Make sure your resume also includes your name, address, phone, and email.
• Send email to anm-jobC0940@sparkunlimited.com

 

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