Lead Animator (Feature Animation) - ILM London

The Walt Disney Company; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company’s ILM division is seeking a Lead Animator to guide a team in crafting high-quality animation for digital characters and assets. You will drive the artistic and technical direction, mentor artists, and collaborate with the Director and Animation Supervisor to achieve the shot’s goals.

Hybrid role requiring 2 days on-site weekly; you will engage across the production, refine animation tools, and help shape acting styles and timing for key characters.

Qualifications

• Significant proven experience in Feature Animation Projects at a Lead level.
• Ability to deliver complex shots to the highest quality.
• Strong understanding of animation timing, posing and acting.
• Experience mentoring and guiding junior artists.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team in creating animation for digital creatures, humans, vehicles and props.
• Interpret and implement director and supervisor directions.
• Oversee entry-, mid-, and senior-level animators with daily guidance.
• Provide feedback during dailies and help establish aesthetics and tech solutions.
• Assist training and mentoring of new animators.

Skills

Team leadership

Animation principles

Collaboration

Communication

Mentoring

Tools

Maya

Linux

Proprietary software

Job description

Position Summary

We are looking for a Lead Animator who reflects the innovative spirit, creative talent and collaborative mindset that defines ILM.

A Lead Animator is responsible for supporting the Animation Supervisor in designing and creating the motion of digital characters/vehicles/props within a shot or sequences of shots on a production. They help to determine and drive the aesthetic and technical approach to the animation, overseeing a team of animators to achieve this goal in the allotted production time frame.

What You’ll Do

• Responsible for leading a team in the creation of outstanding animation for digital creatures/humans, vehicles and props within a shot, using various animation software programs.


• Comprehend and execute direction from the Animation Supervisor.


• Oversee the work of entry, mid and senior level animators and provide day-to-day support and guidance at the discretion of the Animation Supervisor.


• Participates as a team member in helping determine various aesthetic and technical solutions; provides feedback to other members of the production by attending dailies on a regular basis.


• Aid in the training/mentoring of new Animators


• Help drive the design and execution of animation tools required to achieve the goals of a given production


• Be instrumental in helping the Director and Animation Supervisor to find the behaviour and acting style of key characters, as well as working hand-in-hand with the rigging department to develop their rig and facial performance setups


• Expected to perform hands-on shot work on show to set the desired look and standard to be met be the team, and potentially provide reference (video and occasionally motion capture performances), to assist the animation team in hitting these goals

What We’re Looking For

• Significant proven experience in Feature Animation Projects at a Lead level and proven ability to deliver complex shots to the highest level of quality.


• Expert knowledge of traditional animation principles, acting (facial & body), film production and compositional design while demonstrating exceptional skills as an animator based as evidenced by portfolio, demo reel and references.


• Comprehensive knowledge of camera terminology/lensing and the camera’s role in aiding compelling story-telling


• Advanced drawing skills to help communicate desired posing/collaborative drawovers for animator feedback not essential, but very much considered a strong asset


• Experience working at a senior level and proven collaboration with Animation Supervisors


• Excellent organisation, honesty and communications skills


• Proficiency with Linux desired.


• Expert knowledge of Maya, proprietary and other software programs


• Knowledge of chaining and constraint techniques

This role is Hybrid, which means the employee will be required to work 2 days on-site per week at a Company designated location, and occasionally from home.