Senior Cinematic Animator (CONTRACT)

Insomniac Games; United States; Remote; USD 220,416,000 - 246,590,000; Full time

Job summary

Insomniac Games is seeking a Senior Cinematic Animator to create high-quality in-game cinematics and drive the cinematic process from script interpretation through final implementation in the game engine.

The role requires expertise in both motion capture and hand-key animation, collaboration with Animation Directors, and ensuring seamless integration with engine workflows. This 8-month contract runs through a staffing partner and requires US work authorization.

Qualifications

• Experience creating high-quality cinematic content for games.
• Proficiency in Maya and motion capture/hand-key animation.
• Ability to collaborate with Animation Directors and Lead Animators.
• Knowledge of integrating cinematics into a game engine.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality cinematic animation content using motion capture and hand-key techniques.
• Collaborate with Animation Directors to reflect the game's vision and cinematography style.
• Maintain performance standards and ensure cinematic integration in the game engine.
• Refine character performances including body and facial animation.
• Participate in cinematic team feedback and incorporate critique.
• Utilize Jira/Flow to track progress and manage workload.
• Report progress and blockers to Animation Director and Project Management.
• Perform additional related responsibilities to support the team.

Skills

Cinematic animation

Motion capture

Hand-key animation

Collaboration

Jira/Flow

Tools

Maya

MotionBuilder

Premiere Pro

Proprietary tools

Job description

_ This is an 8-month contract. This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position. _

Insomniac Games is looking for a new Senior Cinematic Animator. In this role, the Senior Cinematic Animator is responsible for creating high-quality in-game cinematics that meet the visual and performance standards established by the Animation Director. This role involves driving the cinematic process from script interpretation and scene layout through final implementation in the game engine.

Essential Duties and Responsibilitiesinclude the following:

• Develop high-quality cinematic animation content using both motion capture and hand-key techniques, ensuring alignment with schedule and performance benchmarks.
• Collaborate closely with Animation Directors and Lead Animators to design cinematics that reflect the game’s vision and adhere to its unique cinematography style.
• Contribute to setting and maintaining performance standards and work in tandem with other departments to ensure seamless integration of cinematics into the game engine.
• Refine and enhance character performances, focusing on both body and facial animation, to create lifelike and engaging scenes.
• Participate actively in cinematic team feedback sessions, presenting work and incorporating constructive critique.
• Demonstrate a strong grasp of animation and camera principles essential for crafting a realistic and immersive cinematic experience.
• Utilize project management tools such as Jira and Flow to effectively track progress and manage workload.
• Communicate efficiently with the Animation Director and Project Management to report on progress, addressing potential roadblocks to ensure timely delivery of tasks.
• Perform additional related responsibilities as assigned to support the animation team’s goals and objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities, however this role mentors more junior artists.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Computer Skills:

Advanced knowledge of Maya, Insomniac proprietary tools(preferred),anda knowledge ofMicrosoftOffice Suite. MotionBuilderand Adobe Premierea plus.Knowledge of common state machine flow in any game enginea plus.

At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.

Please note that the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.

$76.92—$86.06 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

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