CG Character Animator
The Character Animator role requires a strong understanding of one of the mainstream 3D packages, such as Maya or 3DStudio Max.
- The animator's main focus is the character's motion, staging and timing, for in-game as well as scripted sequences.
- All Character Animation Candidates must have a portfolio and reel that demonstrates:
- A strong artistic background, with numerous examples of life drawing
- Layout and/or character design
- A portfolio that focuses on the human form and its movement
- Strong understanding of classical animation principles and fundamentals (i.e.; squash and stretch, staging, timing and motion, anticipation, exaggeration, follow through, arcs and appeal.)
- An intrinsic ability for storytelling
- Acting and cinematography skills are an asset
- Sculpture is a plus
- If coming from outside the game industry, new hires will be expected to learn/understand how game-play and realtime issues can affect Character Animators; they will be expected to develop techniques to compensate for such limitations
- Character Modeling Skills
- A 3-5 min Reel demonstrating a strong ability to consistently create convincing performances and characters with complex personalities
- Ability to design a move tree for a character
- Consistently demonstrates an excellent sense of timing
- Completes motion capture cutting or key framing of primary/lead characters, objects, or game areas
- Successfully creates characters for a game with unique personalities, despite any game engine limitations
- Gives input on Character and Skeleton design
- With nominal direction, is responsible for completing significant amounts of pre-production tasks for Motion Capture key frame animated titles (i.e.; shot list creation, motion tree creation, model sheet creation)
- A very strong understanding of animation fundamentals
- Demonstrates a strong understanding of storytelling skills
All demo submissions are reviewed and must include the following:
- Demo reels should only be submitted as DVD (QuickTime Movies preferred), or personal website as we do not accept VHS.
- A detailed summary/shot list of what your particular contributions were and which software you used.
- Resume (Hardcopy resume included with demo submission)
- Demos no longer than 3 to 5 minutes in length.
- Please only send copies of your art as submissions will not be returned.
For Online demos, please display a single web link at the top of your resume in bold.