Click here to apply for the Technical animator job.

This is an entry level position that performs specifically designated tasks for the Character teams to help facilitate the quality and fidelity of the character rigs going into Animation.  In addition they will troubleshoot software and shot specific issues as well as perform simple animation.  They will work closely between the Animation and Character TD departments and help to improve processes and workflow.

Required Skills

• Execute first pass of quality control between Character departments by:
• confirming joint placements are correct.
• creating body and facial calisthenics animations (Rigging, CFX, Animation).
• creating poses and simple animation (i.e. walk cycles) to test rigs.
• creating shots for the Head of Character Animation and Animators as needed.
• finding and remapping animation.
• Verify consistency of tools and character rig features/controls within a show and among other shows:
  • switches, rotation order, mirroring, manipulators, pages, textures, parenting, post scaling, matching constraints etc.
  • character controls behavior is as expected
  • initial pose library is setup and setup free page templates as needed
• Help monitor that character deformations are adhering to the show’s visual language and flag any issues to the Head of Character Animation.
• Assist in building the characters’ Animation Interface.
• Assist the Character TDs with creating and updating Animation Parts for each character.
• Assist the Character TDs and Animators in making sure the Animation Parts are ordered (Master Page Order).
• Evaluate upcoming sequences to flag potential technical issues such as new requirements on character rigs, complex character interactions, working with large environments, and other large-scale issues.
• Follow-up with other departments while troubleshooting issues until a resolution is reached.
• Test new software maps and/or features as needed (Premo and/or Rig).
• Look at QA tests, movies and models and develop efficiencies for future character tests.
• Work closely with Head of Character Animation, Animation Supervisors, Character TD Supervisors and Leads to determine quality level and criteria at handoff from Character TD to Animation.
• Help communicate areas of concern or special features requested by Animators for each character. (i.e. spine movement or clavicle location).
• Help communicate character rig features from other shows that can enhance the rigs within the assigned show. Also, communicate the new features being developed on the assigned show with other shows.
• Help gather notes and feedback from Animators in order to complete rig wrecking.
• Document new processes and procedures.
• Attend relevant meetings, e.g. Monkeys:
  • Animation/Character TD Body Touch base
  • Animation/Character TD Face Touch base
  • Character Launch

Required Experience

• Bachelors in Computer Graphics, Engineering or Art/Animation preferred.
• A solid understanding of the principles of animation, body mechanics, and facial animation.
• Proficient in 3D Character Animation, Character Rigging, and some basic knowledge of 3D Modeling.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem solving and troubleshooting in a technical environment.
• Experience with the unix/linux environment.
• 2D graphics software knowledge (e.g. Gimp).
• Production experience a plus.

• Execute first pass of quality control between Character departments by:
• confirming joint placements are correct.
• creating body and facial calisthenics animations (Rigging, CFX, Animation).
• creating poses and simple animation (i.e. walk cycles) to test rigs.
• creating shots for the Head of Character Animation and Animators as needed.
• finding and remapping animation.
• Verify consistency of tools and character rig features/controls within a show and among other shows:
  • switches, rotation order, mirroring, manipulators, pages, textures, parenting, post scaling, matching constraints etc.
  • character controls behavior is as expected
  • initial pose library is setup and setup free page templates as needed
• Help monitor that character deformations are adhering to the show’s visual language and flag any issues to the Head of Character Animation.
• Assist in building the characters’ Animation Interface.
• Assist the Character TDs with creating and updating Animation Parts for each character.
• Assist the Character TDs and Animators in making sure the Animation Parts are ordered (Master Page Order).
• Evaluate upcoming sequences to flag potential technical issues such as new requirements on character rigs, complex character interactions, working with large environments, and other large-scale issues.
• Follow-up with other departments while troubleshooting issues until a resolution is reached.
• Test new software maps and/or features as needed (Premo and/or Rig).
• Look at QA tests, movies and models and develop efficiencies for future character tests.
• Work closely with Head of Character Animation, Animation Supervisors, Character TD Supervisors and Leads to determine quality level and criteria at handoff from Character TD to Animation.
• Help communicate areas of concern or special features requested by Animators for each character. (i.e. spine movement or clavicle location).
• Help communicate character rig features from other shows that can enhance the rigs within the assigned show. Also, communicate the new features being developed on the assigned show with other shows.
• Help gather notes and feedback from Animators in order to complete rig wrecking.
• Document new processes and procedures.
• Attend relevant meetings, e.g. Monkeys:
  • Animation/Character TD Body Touch base
  • Animation/Character TD Face Touch base
  • Character Launch