Lead Animator in Vancouver

WildBrain Studios is looking for a Lead Animator, CG (Feature) to report to the Animation Supervisor. In this role, you’ll lead animators assigned to your sequences, ensure character readiness, and help develop the animation style of the show. Present from early stages of production, the Lead Animator plays an important role, providing input on departmental workflows and ensuring effective communication with Production Management and other departments. Significant expertise and experience in animation is expected.

Responsibilities:

• Complete Rig Testing and liaise with the design, modelling, rigging, lighting, and FX department to ensure assets meet the needs for animation.
• Create on model and in character poses as well as production animation cycles to populate Studio Library.
• Complete Picker Testing to ensure all necessary controls are present and ready for animators.
• Complete Character Development animation tests to develop character performance traits, animation style, and on model posing.
• Guide animators by providing feedback and mentorship on their shots, ensuring the execution of character performances are appropriate for the moment, on model, and hitting the Directors’ vision.
• Produce shot animation at a reduced quota on assigned sequences.
• Provide feedback to the Animation Director and Supervisor on shot casting and bidding for sequences assigned to their team.
• Work with the Animation Director and Supervisor to provide clarity to the Director's Sequence Launch and help communicate it to the animation team.
• Attend all Animation Director Dailies and Director Reviews for team’s sequences, providing input or ideas where necessary.
• Work with the Animation Director and Supervisor to ensure the sequence is ready for animation, flagging elements that are missing or not ready.
• Help identify workflow improvements.
• Mentor animators on the team, providing career and development advice.
• Partner with Production Management to ensure shots stay on schedule while communicating potential delays and challenges.
• Work with the team to plan sequence and shot work, guiding them on time management and prioritization of workload.
• If necessary, work with the Animation Director and Supervisor and Recruiters to help evaluate demo reels and interview candidates.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of experience as a senior animator on a feature production, previous Lead experience preferable.
• Proficient in CG animation packages (Maya, etc.).
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A proven understanding of body mechanics and physicality for character animation.
• Experience and ability to create different styles of animation.
• Excellent acting skills with a thorough understanding of facial animation.
• Excellent understanding of storyboard/animatic/layout/cinematography and ability to work within the constraints and performance of key-frame animation.
• Skilled at providing feedback that inspires and motivates animators to achieve better performance.
• An understanding of rigs and typical rigging set-ups, animation pipelines, and transferring data between tools is desirable.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn new processes and technical skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment.

This is a Union position and the terms and conditions of employment are covered by a collective agreement. Pay Range: $1,873.40 - $1900 CAD per week based on a 40-hour work week. Candidates are paid within the range posted, but their exact pay will vary based on the level, responsibilities, and expectations of the role. We also take into consideration the experience and skills that individuals bring, with consideration of our internal equity.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package and a workplace culture that values our employees’ wellbeing, including RRSP matching, multi-tiered benefits, free mental health resources, and regular events to connect our teams virtually and in-person.

WildBrain Studio provides an atmosphere free from barriers to promote inclusion, equity, and diversity. We demonstrate our commitment to this by providing a supportive work environment and a culture that welcomes and encourages equal opportunities for all employees. WildBrain Studio also accommodates people with disabilities throughout the selection process.