The Animation Director is responsible for the supervision and leadership of the animation team. In collaboration with the Director and VFX Supervisor, the Animation Director is responsible for directing, defining and maintaining the continuity of performance throughout a show or feature.
Key Responsibility:
Work directly with the Head of Production, CG Sup, Animation Supervisor and the rest of animators in the team to ensure storytelling acting choice and all principles aspects of animation are ready to deliver the performance the Director requires
Review shots, approve shots, assign revisions, troubleshoot shots. Ensure quality are met
Understand the implications of performance, style, quality and continuity, technical, scheduling and budgetary requirements
Will be involved with early performance development of major CG characters. Creates performance test composites for review by the Director/Supervision team in order to make an animation bible for the production
Runs animation dailies, ensure animation quality standards, artistic direction and set deadlines
Attend any relevant meetings to promote effective communication throughout the production team
Motivate and develop the team members and act as a mentor in terms of technical/artistic aspects
Work with animators to develop animation cycles and expression sheets, while building a library of animation poses and cycles per character
Implement the specific animation pipeline requirements of a particular project. Test and deploy tools in a high pressure production environment
Responsible for hitting animation targets according to the schedule with support from production to do so
Keep up on current technology trends and tools (hardware and software) the best suit the production also company in the development of a stronger creative technical environment
Required Skills:
2+ years of experience as Animation Supervisor or Animation Director in the animation industry
5+ years in 3D animation projects
Bachelor's degree or diploma in animation, motion design, fine art, film studies, or CGI and 3D animation related field or equivalent work experience
Strong understanding of key-framed animation development processes, limitations and dependencies
A strong understanding of basic human kinetics and basic real world physics
Understanding of rigging, modelling and animation principles
Strong understanding of cinematic storytelling principles and techniques
Strong leadership, management, and organizational skills
Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills
Ability to effectively give direction and communicate storytelling
Ability to communicate in a professional and positive manner
Effective problem solving skills, solution oriented
Ability to work in collaborative environment and take direction
Strong attention to detail
Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines