Specific requirements for this role:

OVERVIEW:

It is the role of the Animator to bring the game to life by applying dynamic and captivating movement to both it's characters and worlds.

DIRECTLY REPORTING TO: Animation Manager, Art Manager or Animation Lead (where applicable).

DUTIES:

To create in game animation content for characters (in particular, looping animations) and set piece animated sequences to the highest possible quality and correct technical specifications.

To create animated sequences for any relevant cut scene elements required to the highest possible quality and correct technical specifications.

To create any animations required for pre-visualisation content at the correct fidelity, both quickly and accurately.

ESSENTIALS:

All animators should have a full, demonstrable understanding of the fundamental principles of animation, including the following:

• Timing
• Weight
• Anticipation
• Pose to Pose
• Appeal/ Character
• Squash and stretch
• Staging
• Follow through
• Slow in and slow out
• Arcs
• Secondary action
• Exaggeration

Must have the necessary skills to provide realistic animations that are based in real world physics or cartoon like animations depending on the needs of the project and/or the direction of the Animation/Art Manager or Lead Animator.

Must be able to define and recognise dynamic poses for characters in animation.

Can define a characters personality or thought processes through its animation.

Should have a basic understanding of how to skin and rig a character mesh for animation (any package).

Working knowledge of Maya, Motionbuilder or a similar 3D package.

An understanding of motion/performance capture, lip syncing and facial animation techniques and procedures including relevant applications such as Face FX or Face Robot.

An ability to learn and be responsible for their part in the animation pipeline as well as posses a willingness to communicate with all departments within the team - such as design and programming.

Must be willing to have their own work critiqued regularly and participate in the critiquing of others work.

Create and iteratively develop game assets from inception to final review on the target hardware within the game engine using appropriate tools (BlitzTech Tools).

BENEFICIAL QUALITIES:

An understanding and ability to create looping animations and the transitioning required for in game animation content.

A basic understanding of cinematography, shot direction and composition.
Experience in organising and directing motion capture shoots.

SENIOR ESSENTIALS:

Senior artists must possess a good grounding in artistic skills and exhibit the ability to make very good artistic judgements coupled with robust tool skills and an all round ability to autonomously create industry equivalent triple A high quality game art assets with great organisational, scheduling and mentorship skills. Overall, senior artists are expected to take a higher level of responsibility for the quality and timely delivery of art on their project.

Traditional Art Skills
• Appreciation and ability to make good artistic judgements on form, colour and composition.
• An understanding of the basic principles of lighting.
• A basic working knowledge and general understanding of human anatomy.
• Good natural artistic ability and flair.
• Ability to develop and communicate ideas and concepts in a visual manner - both digitally and using traditional media.

Self Management and Organisation
• Ability to work to a brief, adopt working practices and work within the stated boundaries including art style, technical specifications, scheduling and overall spirit of any given project.
• Create and iteratively develop game assets from inception to final review on the target hardware within the game engine using appropriate tools (BlitzTech Tools).
• Ability to identify production issues, seek solutions, source reference and guidance before solving or communicating them as appropriate in a self-sufficient manner.
• Demonstrates skills in basic management tasks including good communication and scheduling of personal tasks and any delegated support structures.

Teamwork and Communication
• Keep managers and any dependent team members informed about the progress of work including any potential conflicts or bottlenecks, with suggestions for solutions.
• Ability and willingness to fit into and contribute to a creative team environment
• Senior artists are expected to share their knowledge with others by freely exchanging skills through training and mentoring others.

Professional attitude and work ethic
• Ability to accept and work under the art direction of a project Art Manager.
• Will be thorough in their approach to problem solving and able to function independently as and when required
• Needs to be comfortable working to deadlines
• A willingness and ability to learn is essential
• A consistent professional approach to naming, filing, backing up and archiving of all work in accordance with company and team policy.
• Proficient skills in identifying a need for and sourcing appropriate visual reference material.

Work Quality
• All work must be to the very highest standards as benchmarked against the wider industry. Senior artists set the standard and that standard must always be triple A.

Ownership
• Demonstrates the ability to take ownership for a larger section of the project and direct the process to deliver final game art assets. Examples include delivering groups of assets, setting and monitoring standards, developing and managing pipelines, outsource management and scheduling.

Industry Knowledge
• Full understanding and experience of the entire game production cycle and associated issues.
• Managing and supporting client expectations
• Working within a ‘shifting goals' features, timescales and budgetary environment
• Pro-actively track and follow key industry trends and techniques

Personal Development
• Ability to identify and develop a personal specialism

FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS:
In terms of formal qualifications, it is agreed that levels of attainment should not be set. Respective art and/or animation skills are paramount when considering any applicant, however, foreign applicants requiring work permits or visas would need due consideration. At Blitz Games Studios we adopt an approach that relevant higher qualifications are ‘preferred' as opposed to ‘required' for UK/European and other 'work legal' applicants, however to be considered for this role demonstrable skills and ability in the role requirements will be expected and sought.

TRAINING:
Although the jobholder will be trained on the job, they will be expected to develop their artistic appreciation and tool skills using their own initiative and in their own time. As well as organised training sessions via the Blitz Academy, we encourage staff to broaden their skills further by giving them the opportunity to attend external courses as appropriate.

Attractive salary, benefits and a great career opportunity.