Animator - Mid

Position: Animator - Mid 

Hiring Range: $78,000 to $93,000/year for a 40 hour work week

Project Contract: TBC

Company Benefits: Extended healthcare from day 1, premiums 100% covered by Image Engine, up to 8 paid Health and Wellness days per year.

*Candidates are required to be based in British Columbia and eligible to work in Canada*

ABOUT IMAGE ENGINE

Image Engine is a world-class VFX studio based in Vancouver, BC, that has built a reputation for excellence in the visual effects industry since 1995. We specialize in crafting stunning visual effects for feature films and television with an award-winning portfolio that includes The Book of Boba Fett, The Mandalorian, Game Of Thrones, Lost in Space, Jurassic World, and District 9.

We offer a full range of visual effects services, from concept designs and pre-visualization to CG animation, compositing, and explosive volumetric digital effects. Our crew is passionate about storytelling and pushing the artistic and technical boundaries to deliver the highest quality work on every project. R&D is central to our philosophy of driving creativity through innovation and we're committed to continually evolving our robust production pipelines.

At Image Engine, we value diversity and teamwork, and we're proud to foster a workplace culture that is supportive, respectful, and empowering. We believe that our success is a reflection of our exceptionally talented team, and we're always looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join us on our mission to create unforgettable visual experiences. Join our team and be part of something extraordinary.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Mid-level Animator is responsible for delivering high quality work in a quick and efficient manner. They will apply notes provided by the Animation Supervisor/Leads. They will manage their time effectively to ensure tasks are completed within the assigned timeframe and to the specifications requested by Image Engine clients. They will identify and troubleshoot problems as needed and will ask for assistance when necessary to ensure effective use of time and resources.

They will begin quality checking their own work and assisting Senior artists to develop new concepts and approaches to improve work quality. They will push themselves to complete shots of increasing levels of difficulty and seek feedback from Lead Animators/Animation Supervisor. They will participate in all team meetings when necessary.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work primarily with Animation Supervisor/Leads to create convincing performances and motion of character/non-character assets
• Animate dynamic, believable and appealing character/non-character assets from simple to difficult with minimum supervision
• Work with production and supervisor team to understand and manage their schedules and shot deadlines
• Work with animation team to maintain continuity and consistent performance within a show
• Communicate successes and challenges faced by the team to the Animation Lead
• Manage time and resources to meet weekly targets
• Provide input regarding tools and interfaces to improve throughput
• Attend dailies, reviews, and team meetings as required
• Accurately address critique and comments from supervisors, and ensure that revisions are completed in a timely manner

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of experience animating character and non-character assets for VFX/feature films
• Knowledge of traditional animation principles, acting, film production and compositional design
• Ability to animate multiple types of character/non-character assets from simple to complex
• Strong visual storyteller and well-versed in cinematography: camera angles, composition and continuity
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to balance quick turnaround while achieving a high degree of aesthetic quality

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Technical skills

• Strong knowledge of Maya
• A working knowledge of Motion Capture and/or Rigging is a plus

Core skills

• Ability to troubleshoot and deal with competing priorities and projects
• Ability to take direction positively, work well within a diverse group, and thrive under the pressure of tight production deadlines
• Ability to adapt quickly to new technologies and applications
• Excellent time management and communication skills