Studio: Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation
Job Opening: Sr Gameplay Animator
Location: Santa Monica, California
Type: Full-Time
Responsibilities:
- Work closely with the Animation Director, Design Director, and the Combat Design Team during the pre-visualization process to develop combat and character navigation 3D pre-vis.
- Ideate, implement, and iterate on animation assets, balancing the needs of style and function.
- Focus on character development, choreography, and timing of each move with the Animation Director and Gameplay Animation Lead.
- Collaborate with Combat Designers and Gameplay Programmers to achieve the perfect balance between animation fidelity and gameplay responsiveness, to integrate moves into the game engine, and to monitor and troubleshoot any technical issues that might arise.
- Animate keyframed characters, creatures, and props by hand. This includes hand-keyed facial expressions and lip-sync as necessary.
- Assemble, edit, clean up, and enhance motion capture data shot on stage, including both body and face.
- Assemble and prepare navigation, combat, and world interactive move-lists for shooting on the motion capture stage.
- Assist with mocap shoots, informing the stage crew of prop needs, checking for continuity, and keeping track of editing needs for combat and navigation moves.
- Work with the Character Tech Art team to improve character rigs, tools, and workflows.
- Give concise and timely feedback to outsourcing teams when needed.
- Proactively facilitate requests or information needs regarding any aspect of the animation creation process.
- Actively advance skill set and abilities by keeping aware of industry trends and techniques, evaluating competitive products, and learning new software packages and traditional art methods.
Qualifications & Skills:
- A strong demo reel that demonstrates expert knowledge of fundamental animation principles and acting skills, and the ability to create a full range of lifelike performances from the subtle to the dramatic and powerful.
- Proficient command of weight, timing, and posing through both keyframing and the manipulation of motion capture data.
- High level of proficiency in Maya and MotionBuilder.
- High comfort level with learning and utilizing animation systems and game engine pipelines.
- Ability to rapidly prototype, iterate, and explore animation style and functionality.
- Ability to succeed in a creative, team-oriented environment.
- Excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills.
- Ability to reach across multiple disciplines to gather feedback and address cross-functional issues.
- Strong mentoring skills, production sensibilities, and the drive and talent needed to produce and implement the highest quality work.
- An enthusiasm for practical innovation and the ability to bring new ideas to the table.
- B.A. in fine arts or relevant curriculum, or equivalent skillset.
- Minimum of 5 years of industry or related experience.
- AAA experience.
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