Junior Animator

About the position We are looking for a Junior Animator who reflects the creative talent, production excellence, and passion for great filmmaking that define Industrial Light & Magic. The Junior Animator is responsible for contributing to the creation of high quality motion of computer graphics creatures and objects within a shot, using a variety of animation software programs, and working under the general supervision and support of Senior Level and Animation Supervisors. What You’ll Do Day-to-day show support including: troubleshooting flow of data in/out of department escalating tech issues to appropriate show or tech group updating Animators shotfiles with newly released assets rendering movies for dailies reference gathering and organization Responsible for the successful animation of shots on a specific project Participate as a team member in determining various aesthetic solutions; provide feedback to other members of the production by attending dailies on a regular basis. Animate entry-level shots, time permitting Facilitate the publishing of Animators’ work down the pipeline. Assist in maintaining Asset congruency to current releases in Animators’ shots Create Animation Cycles Create polish animation for shots including finger, toes, ear, tail, and wing animation, cleaning up contact sliding, body penetrations, tweaking arcs etc. Problem-solve and fix any issues that may arise from updating assets in Animators’ shotfiles. (This could include constraint blending fixes, global positioning fixes etc.) Set up animation scene files Assisting Animators in passing shots along to other disciplines Build UI for character rigs Process Mocap performances onto show Assets Blend Mocap animation performances and add Polish to said performances (This could include fixing penetrations, adding finger and hand animation, exaggerating key poses etc.) Responsible for Mocap processing in shot production and cycle creation. Upload Cleaned Mocap and cycle animation to the MotionDataBase Collaboration with stage team may be required Occasionally may be required to perform hands-on shot work on shows and provide reference performances including motion capture performances as part of assigned shot work and to support the animation team What We’re Looking For You have a Bachelor's Degree in Traditional Animation or related, or at least 2 years of experience by working in cel, stop-motion or computer animation in our industry. You probably have 2 or more years experience as an entry level Animator in conjunction with recommendations for advancement by the Animation Supervisors and Department Manager.

Responsibilities

• troubleshooting flow of data in/out of department
• escalating tech issues to appropriate show or tech group
• updating Animators shotfiles with newly released assets
• rendering movies for dailies
• reference gathering and organization
• Responsible for the successful animation of shots on a specific project
• Participate as a team member in determining various aesthetic solutions
• provide feedback to other members of the production by attending dailies on a regular basis.
• Animate entry-level shots, time permitting
• Facilitate the publishing of Animators’ work down the pipeline.
• Assist in maintaining Asset congruency to current releases in Animators’ shots
• Create Animation Cycles
• Create polish animation for shots including finger, toes, ear, tail, and wing animation, cleaning up contact sliding, body penetrations, tweaking arcs etc.
• Problem-solve and fix any issues that may arise from updating assets in Animators’ shotfiles. (This could include constraint blending fixes, global positioning fixes etc.)
• Set up animation scene files
• Assisting Animators in passing shots along to other disciplines
• Build UI for character rigs
• Process Mocap performances onto show Assets
• Blend Mocap animation performances and add Polish to said performances (This could include fixing penetrations, adding finger and hand animation, exaggerating key poses etc.)
• Responsible for Mocap processing in shot production and cycle creation.
• Upload Cleaned Mocap and cycle animation to the MotionDataBase
• Collaboration with stage team may be required
• Occasionally may be required to perform hands-on shot work on shows and provide reference performances including motion capture performances as part of assigned shot work and to support the animation team

Requirements

• You have a Bachelor's Degree in Traditional Animation or related, or at least 2 years of experience by working in cel, stop-motion or computer animation in our industry.
• You probably have 2 or more years experience as an entry level Animator in conjunction with recommendations for advancement by the Animation Supervisors and Department Manager.
• Firm understanding of traditional animation principles, acting, film production and compositional design.
• Experience and a firm understanding of Maya
• Good organization and communication skills
• Ability to take on a delegated task with a minimum of supervision
• Ability to work under pressure and commit to deadlines
• Strong communication and follow through; Proactive, self-sufficient individual
• A demo reel demonstrating a strong understanding of Animation principles and artistic ability
• Proficiency with Linux is desired.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Motion Capture data is a plus.
• Scripting knowledge (Python, Mel) is a plus.

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