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Senior Animator

Insomniac Games is looking for its next Senior Animator. In this role, the Senior Animator is responsible for animating characters in gameplay and cinematics at the highest quality level set by Lead Animators and Animation Directors. They collaborate closely with other disciplines to ensure that animations are integrated into the game, supporting the creative and narrative vision, and technical requirements. The Senior Animator works independently requiring minimal supervision. They play a key role in guiding, tutoring, and assisting other animators to maintain and improve workflows and pipeline. If this is the opportunity that you have been looking for, please read on:Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:Develop high-quality animations for gameplay characters and cinematics, ensuring alignment with artistic direction and technical standards.Collaborate with Designers and Programmers to implement animations in engine using expert skills in Maya and propriety engine tools.Independently troubleshoot and resolve issues that arise.Gameplay responsibilities include hero traversal, combat, boss, mission and open world animations at the highest level using advanced skills in game engine tools.Cinematic responsibilities include: Previz, layout, mocap, assembly, in game implementation and polish.Work with the Animation team to guarantee cohesive execution of the established animation direction across the game, providing constructive feedback as necessary.Communicate effectively with other disciplines, including Designers, Programmers, Writers, Project Managers, Art, Audio, Character and Rigging teams, to resolve issues and achieve project goals.Write and maintain JIRA tasks. Collaborate with Leads and Project Managers on prioritizing the backlog and ensuring timely completion of animation tasks.Support independent and embedded Co-Dev resources, organizes work for Ex-Dev resources, creates briefs, and reviews and integrates their deliverables.Guide, tutor, and aid others based on established workflows and provide technical support.Maintain comprehensive documentation of animation processes and techniques to support knowledge sharing and continuity within the team.Explore and establish new techniques to improve efficiency, workflow, and visual fidelity in our animation pipeline. Stay updated with industry trends and technologies to push the boundaries of animation quality.Other duties may be assignedSupervisory 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.Computer Skills:Advanced knowledge of MayaKnowledge of Microsoft Office SuiteMotionBuilder and Adobe Premiere a plusKnowledge of common state machine flow in any game engine a plusWe look forward to hearing from you. Please use the link below and apply. Thank you!Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about how we process your personal information, and your data protection rights.At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.Base pay is one component of our total compensation package. Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location, as well as additional compensation components, such as annual bonus, profit sharing, and other incentive plans.In addition, this role is eligible for SIE's top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Clickhereto learn more.Profit Sharing (PSS Only)$13,900-$208,600 USD
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What You Should Know About Senior Animator, Insomniac Games

Insomniac Games is on the lookout for a talented Senior Animator to join our dynamic team in Norwood Young America, MN. If you're passionate about bringing characters to life through animation and thrive in a collaborative environment, this might be just the opportunity for you. As a Senior Animator, you will be at the forefront of creating high-quality animations for gameplay and cinematics, working closely with Lead Animators and Animation Directors to uphold our creative vision. Your expertise in software like Maya and our proprietary engine tools will empower you to develop engaging animations that align with our artistic direction. Beyond creating animations, you’ll also play a pivotal role in mentoring junior animators, enhancing workflows, and communicating effectively with cross-functional teams including Designers, Programmers, and Writers. Your ability to independently troubleshoot issues will be invaluable as you work on complex gameplay animations such as hero traversal and epic combat scenes. We value innovation, so you'll have the opportunity to explore new techniques to improve our animation pipeline. If you’re driven by quality and looking for a place that values your creativity and input, we would love to see your application!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Senior Animator Role at Insomniac Games
What are the primary responsibilities of a Senior Animator at Insomniac Games?

At Insomniac Games, the Senior Animator is tasked with creating cinematic and gameplay animations that align with the artistic vision of our projects. In this role, you will collaborate with fellow Designers and Programmers to integrate animations into our gaming engine, troubleshoot any issues independently, and mentor junior animators to uphold high-quality standards in animation.

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What qualifications are required for the Senior Animator position at Insomniac Games?

To be a successful candidate for the Senior Animator position at Insomniac Games, you should possess advanced knowledge of animation software like Maya, alongside familiarity with MotionBuilder and Adobe Premiere. Understanding of state machine flow in any game engine is also beneficial. A keen eye for detail and the ability to collaborate effectively across different teams is essential for success.

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How does the Senior Animator role collaborate with other disciplines at Insomniac Games?

As a Senior Animator at Insomniac Games, collaboration is key. You will work closely with various teams, including Designers, Programmers, Writers, and Audio teams, to ensure that the animations you create fit seamlessly into the game’s overall narrative and gameplay mechanics. Effective communication and teamwork will be essential for overcoming challenges and ensuring project goals are met.

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What tools and technologies are essential for a Senior Animator at Insomniac Games?

In the Senior Animator role at Insomniac Games, you will mainly work with Maya for animations, along with our proprietary engine tools. Familiarity with additional tools like MotionBuilder and Adobe Premiere can be advantageous. Staying updated with new technologies and industry trends will also help you push the boundaries of animation quality in our projects.

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Can a Senior Animator at Insomniac Games be involved in mentoring other animators?

Absolutely! At Insomniac Games, the Senior Animator is expected to guide and mentor junior animators. This includes sharing knowledge about workflows, providing constructive feedback, and helping them navigate challenges to enhance their skills and the overall animation quality within the team.

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Common Interview Questions for Senior Animator
Can you describe your animation process when creating character animations?

To effectively answer this question, explain your comprehensive approach to character animation, including initial sketches and storyboarding, creating keyframes in software like Maya, refining the animation, and testing in the game engine to ensure it aligns with gameplay mechanics. Highlight your attention to both artistic and technical aspects.

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What do you consider when animating for gameplay vs. cinematics?

Discuss the differences in animating for gameplay versus cinematics. For gameplay, focus on interactivity, responsiveness, and seamless integration into game mechanics; for cinematics, emphasize storytelling, emotion, and timing. Provide examples from past projects to illustrate your points.

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How do you ensure the quality of your animations aligns with the artistic direction of a project?

Mention how you collaborate with art directors and stakeholders to understand the visual style and desired outcomes. Stress the importance of regular feedback loops, implementing adjustments based on notes from reviews, and keeping yourself updated with the latest industry practices.

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Can you describe a challenge you faced in a previous animation project and how you overcame it?

Share a specific challenge, whether it was a technical issue or a creative block, and walk the interviewer through your problem-solving process. Emphasize how collaboration with other team members or using new techniques helped you succeed.

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What role does feedback play in your animation process?

Explain how you value feedback as an essential part of the animation process. Discuss how you implement it to enhance the quality of your work and how you communicate your ideas effectively when providing feedback to others.

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What tools do you find most effective for animation and why?

Discuss the tools you are proficient in, such as Maya and any proprietary software you may have used. Explain why these tools are effective in meeting your animation goals, focusing on their features that facilitate creativity and efficiency in your workflow.

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How do you stay current with animation trends and technologies?

Share your strategies for professional development, whether it’s attending conferences, participating in online courses, or following industry leaders on social media. Emphasize your desire to push the boundaries of your work by integrating new trends.

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In what ways do you handle critiques from leads or peers about your animations?

Discuss your openness to constructive criticism and the importance of seeing critiques as opportunities for growth. Provide an example of how you took feedback to refine your work, highlighting your commitment to excellence.

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Describe a time when you had to mentor a junior animator.

Illustrate your mentorship experience by detailing how you guided a junior animator through a project or challenge. Mention the techniques you used to help them improve and how it enhanced the team’s output overall.

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What is your approach to balancing creativity with technical constraints?

Talk about how you find the sweet spot between artistic expression and technical requirements. Share examples of how you’ve creatively worked within constraints to produce high-quality animations while still meeting project deadlines.

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Founded in 1994, Insomniac Games is an independent AAA videogame developer that has released acclaimed hits for consoles, virtual reality, PC, mobile devices and browser; selling over 50 million video games along the way. They have full developmen...

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CULTURE VALUES
Inclusive & Diverse
Work/Life Harmony
Reward & Recognition
Collaboration over Competition
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EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
December 11, 2024

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