DreamWorks Feature - Pre-Visualization Animation Specialist

DreamWorks Animation is looking for more adventurous dreamers who shoot for the moon. We tell stories about the journeys our unconventional heroes take to make dreams come true. As a growth-minded studio, we pride ourselves on being one of the world’s leading producers of high-quality, award-winning, animated films and series, reaching consumers around the globe. We push to feel more, laugh more, and build immersive new worlds.

DreamWorks creates a diverse array of original content in a variety of formats, delivering compelling stories with unique characters. We place tremendous value on the experiences our talent brings to the table from their own non-traditional paths to success. We believe in frequent communication and that transparency and trust yield the best work. We are a community of artists, technologists, innovators, and creators, who are passionate about animation and also happen to love eating lunch together.

The Pre-Visualization Animation Specialist role will help streamline the flow across storyboards, previs, and animation. They will be integrated into the layout department with the goal of improving the cinematic choices by use of 2D draw-overs to give clarity, push story ideas, improve comedy, and solidify the animation style early in the process.

If you are part of the fandom and believe teamwork makes the dream work, join us in #livingthedream and #doingyourdreamwork!

“What would you say you do here?”

• Brainstorming and quickly providing ideas to the pre-vis team prior to shot production in accordance with the style of the film and Director’s vision.
• Partner with the Head of Layout and the Layout team to provide 2D draw-overs on the pre-vis to provide better representation for downstream departments, sequences for the Vendor Studio, and studio screenings.
• Improve the character posing in pre-vis animation to be a more accurate representation of the animation style of the film.
• Ensure that the vision of the Director, Production Designer, and Head of Layout are incorporated into the film where possible
• Influence character blocking, camera positioning and animated camera movement.
• Work with existing storyboards, recreate and/or improve storyboards to better prepare for pre-vis.

“What do I need to have in order to do this job?”

• 2+ years of experience crafting storyboards for animation production
• 2+ years of experience in collaborating with artists across animation studio departments
• 2+ years working in animation production where you have proven to be highly adaptable and able to maintain a high consistent standard of quality and speed
• Must be willing to adhere to all Company COVID-19 workplace safety policies and protocols.
• In select work settings or where jurisdictionally mandated, must submit an attestation disclosing your COVID-19 vaccination status and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or adhere to enhanced protocols.

Desired Qualifications: “What can I offer?”

• Deep background in traditional animation
• Integrate and track 2D animation back into the 3D scene.
• Third party software knowledge (i.e. Autodesk Maya or Adobe After Effects)
• Possess a strong sense of composition and animation timing
• Possess an artistic eye for detail and an ability to design creative solutions that balance the aesthetic, technical and production strategy of the show
• Proficient in different styles of animation and character design
• Work well on a team and successfully take direction from a supervisor

Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.

Salary Range: $113,880 - $156,000

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