Senior Creature TD

Description

Is your specialization the articulation of character animation?Are you part of the rhythm nation? Are you looking for a new sensation? Okay, enough 90s music reference. Let’s get back to the issue at hand: rigging. We are looking for a Senior Creature TD to join us here at Rainmaker! As a Senior Creature TD you will set up the articulation and deformation systems of characters, props and vehicles and present those fickle and lovely animators with systems that they can utilize to create animated magic. We need someone who is going to be hands on, jump right in and tackle any challenges. If you are interested, then you should apply!

 PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Sets up rigs for optimal performance and efficient animation output while collaborating closely with Design, Modelling and Animation departments. 
• Must have extensive articulation and deformation skills.
• In the case of motion capture production, he/she must establish the technical requirements of how a motion capture rig can be used to create the template to generate animation.
• Devises and innovates methods of working with skeletons, modeling geometry and weighting that meet the project’s creative objectives.
• Collaborates with the animation team in the testing of characters and provides timely solutions to any technical or performance related issues.  Responsible for evaluating any issues that may arise in the rigging and enveloping of creatures and devises efficient solutions.
• Assists in the development of a creature pipeline for film and DVD productions.
• Provides support and documentation for tools created.
• Ability to prioritize assignment completion per the production schedule.
• Provides mentoring as necessary.
• Interprets and implements notes and feedback from the Supervisor of Lead in a timely and qualitatively acceptable way.
• Provides secondary technical support and training as needed.
• Provides training to new hires.
• Attends regular production and department meetings.
• Develops and maintains leading-edge proprietary tools/plugins/scripts.
• Interacts with commercial vendors with respect to technical issues affecting proprietary tools, etc.
• Maintains contacts with academia/industry to keep current on new research and recent developments.
• Completes assignments on schedule.  Prioritizes task completion in coordination with production, technical animators and technical support staff.
• Supports and integrates the values of Rainmaker that being a commitment to innovation, creativity, professionalism and inspiration.
• Interacts respectfully and professionally with colleagues, other staff members, partners and clients.
• Additional duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

• Degree and/or diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience is required.
• Advanced degree in Computing Science, Mathematics, Physics or related disciplines is an asset.

DVD Production

• 3-5 years of experience working in a professional environment within their discipline preferred however not required.

Feature Film Production

• 5-7 years of experience working in a professional environment within their discipline.
• Worked on 1-2 high-end, feature quality productions.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of geometry creation, weighting and skeleton rigging.
• Production knowledge of Maya, Python, MentalRay and MEL required.
• Thorough knowledge of UNIX/Linux, procedural and object-oriented programming languages.
• Ability to create script in Python allowing for automation of specific tasks.
• Strong artistic skills; demonstrable ability to make creative and aesthetic judgment calls.
• Thorough knowledge of CG Feature Animation.
• Evaluates and recommends relevant external plugins/scripts.
• Ability to communicate and/or demonstrate ideas clearly and concisely both verbally and visually.  Practices attentive and active listening.  Incorporates feedback and direction received from the Lead, Supervisor and/or Studio CG Supervisor.
• Ability to mentor and train.  Open to and encourages feedback and new initiatives.  Shares information and techniques with team members.
• Adaptable to change, he/she can alter course of action quickly per production needs.  Solid work ethic and positive attitude.  Ability to work under pressure.  Self-motivated and pro-active.  Consistently strives to expand knowledge base.
• Makes decisions in a timely manner.  Accepts accountability for own actions.  Creatively solves problems, eliminates road blocks and focuses on issue at hand.
• Efficient and detail oriented.
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to deliver work on time and meet set performance objectives