Lead Animator - Studio Elevation (Remote within the UK)

At nDreams Studio Elevation, the Lead Animator plays a crucial role in creating high-quality animations for VR games. This includes leading the animation team, managing the animation pipeline, collaborating closely with designers and programmers, and mentoring junior animators to enhance their skills. Additionally, you'll work with the Art Director to maintain the artistic vision of the project and ensure that animations meet technical performance standards.

To apply for the Lead Animator position at nDreams Studio Elevation, you should have proven experience in producing AAA content for games, a strong understanding of animation principles, and proficiency in industry-standard software like Maya or Blender. Experience with motion capture and rigging is highly beneficial, as well as excellent leadership and communication skills to foster teamwork in our remote environment.

As a Lead Animator at nDreams Studio Elevation, you'll have numerous opportunities for career growth. You can expand your leadership skills by mentoring junior animators, participate in regular feedback sessions, and stay updated with the latest animation technologies. nDreams’ commitment to personal development also means you can explore new roles within the studio, enhancing your expertise in VR animation and game development.

The team culture at nDreams Studio Elevation is centred around respect, wellbeing, and balance. We promote a positive and inclusive atmosphere where diverse voices are heard and valued. Our flexible working arrangements, social gatherings, and personal development focus reflect our commitment to creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves.

Yes, the Lead Animator position at nDreams Studio Elevation is fully remote within the UK! We believe in the power of flexible working conditions, allowing you to contribute your best work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This approach fosters collaboration and creativity among our diverse team members, no matter where you are located.

In responding to this question, highlight your expertise in various animation techniques such as keyframe animation, motion capture, and procedural animation. Provide examples from your past projects where you've successfully implemented these techniques, focusing on how they contributed to the overall quality and performance of the animations.

To align animations with the game’s artistic vision, start by understanding the game's theme and art style through discussions with the Art Director and team members. Share how you incorporate feedback and adjust your animations to fit the game world, ensuring fluidity and coherence that enhance the player's experience.

When answering this, showcase your previous mentoring experiences by discussing how you provided guidance and constructive feedback, set objectives for junior animators, and facilitated their growth through hands-on workshops or peer reviews. Provide specific examples of how this has improved team performance and cohesion.

Discuss a specific challenge you encountered in a past animation project related to deadlines, technical limitations, or creative differences. Detail the steps you took to analyze the situation, implement solutions, and communicate with your team to ensure timely delivery and high-quality results.

Explain your continuous learning approach by mentioning specific industry sources like online courses, webinars, and animation communities where you glean insights about the latest tools and techniques. Discuss how you apply this knowledge to improve your work as a Lead Animator.

Highlight your experience in Unreal Engine by discussing how you've implemented various animation assets, integrated them into gameplay, and utilized Unreal's animation tools, such as the Animation Blueprint, to enhance character responsiveness and interactivity. Mention any team projects where your input was critical to the final product.

Describe your review process, focusing on how you assess animations based on artistic vision, technical requirements, and player experience. Explain your approach to providing constructive feedback, ensuring it's specific, actionable, and encourages team growth.

Discuss a constructive approach to resolving creative differences, such as facilitating open discussions, encouraging the sharing of diverse perspectives, and finding common ground that aligns with the project's goals. Showcase your ability to mediate while valuing team harmony.

Share specific strategies you've developed to streamline workflow within the animation pipeline, such as establishing clear documentation, utilizing version control systems, and optimizing tools that enhance collaboration. These will demonstrate your proactive approach to improving team productivity.

Express your enthusiasm for VR animation by discussing the unique opportunities and challenges it presents. Share memorable projects or personal experiences that sparked your passion and how they influence your creative process, making it relevant to the role of Lead Animator at nDreams.