Lead Animator

Black Rock Studio, a Disney Interactive Studio, is currently looking for an experienced Lead Animator to join the team who are developing an unannounced arcade racing game on Xbox 360 & PS3.

Key Activities

• Artistic ownership in conjunction with the design team for all character animation related features. The Lead Animator will provide inspiration to the character team via reference, research and animation.
• The Lead Animator is responsible for providing technical support for the animation team with understanding of game-specific challenges.
• Provides technical support in general for the Character / Rigging / Animation team.
• Fluent Problem Solving - Constantly strive via research to optimize and enhance an effective animation pipeline.
• Identifying workflow improvements, providing and directing trouble-shooting efforts for the animation team.
• Liaise closely with Programming teams to develop pipelines including blend tree systems and optimal rigs.
• Study and become expert in Blend tree systems and how the use of blend tree systems influence animation created.
• Give creative direction and criticism where needed for all in-game character assets, animation and cut scenes that convey character and personality.
• Organize and manage the Character animation team including task trackers and schedules.
• Direct and create ingame cut scenes including Camera setup.
• In Game player camera direction / setup as directed by design teams.
• Works with Pre Visualization department on cross studio projects and animation needs


Essential Requirements:

• At least 5 years experience building, rigging, and animating characters in the role of Character Artist / Animator.
• Highly proficient in 2D/3D art packages (3DS Max, Maya, Photoshop, Character Studio).
• Experience developing processes and tools for working with animated characters, including experience with game editing tools, the technical aspects of Max/Maya animation and scripting, and character setup.
• Exceptional skill in animating bipeds and multi-legged figures, as well as other organic forms.
• Thorough and solid understanding of animation theory and the principles of animation (squash and stretch, timing, anticipation, staging, appeal, etc.).

Desirable:

• Familiarity with film and video script and direction terminology.
• Knowledge of Zbrush and experience with MEL/Max scripting.
• Experience in Photoshop, Premiere, and After Effects.
• Experience using 3rd party blend tree systems such as Morpheme.



About Disney Interactive:
Disney Interactive Studios is the interactive division of the Walt Disney Company. We develop, publish, market and distribute a broad portfolio of multi-platform next-generation video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. Our family of studios includes Fall Line and Avalanche Software in Salt Lake City, and Propaganda Games in Vancouver and of course the Brighton Studio in the UK. Come and upgrade your career with one of the world’s largest entertainment companies.


About Black Rock Studio
Black Rock Studio, formerly known as Climax Racing, was established in early 2000 with the goal of becoming the industry's premier racing studio. The studio now employs more than 100. Using its proprietary render engine and PACE physics libraries, the studio has become experienced at producing triple-A, critically acclaimed racing titles in very competitive development times. Climax Racing was acquired by Disney Interactive Studios in October 2006 and re-named Black Rock Studio in July 2007.