Boulder Media is hiring a 2D Character Animation Team Lead

Studio: Boulder Media

Job Opening: 2D Character Animation Team Lead

Location: Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Type: Full-Time

Responsibilities:

• Ensure the animatics provided by the production team are correctly reviewed.
• Review the entire episodic pack, ensuring all the information needed to proceed with the episode is available. This will include background, props, reused materials, FX, background character designs, special posing, redress, palettes, Director and Supervisor notes.
• Review animatic with the animation team before the production of episodes.
• Do a breakdown with the rig supervisor before assigning your shot to your team.
• Communicate any problems that might be a concern for the episode with the Animation Director.
• Deadlines must be agreed with the production management for the delivery of each episode.
• Organise the background character view breakdown for rigging based on animatics.
• Ensure the rig used is the most up-to-date rig and based on the most up-to-date designs.
• Add basic rigging when needed and guide your team when they need to add rigging.
• Make sure all BG Character positions/animation cooperate with the placement of characters in the main animation.
• Ensure colour palettes are correct.
• Ensure necessary props or prop ref has been provided.
• Fill in animation background layer requests before the episodes start.
• Keep the Animation Director copied on any emails regarding rig, design, and managerial issues.
• Create background character breakdowns per episode for approval by the Animation Director/client.
• Submit any special pose requests for production approval.

• Break down an episode and assign work to the background character animation team to achieve the best and most efficient outcome for the episode.
• Guide the still artists through their assigned episode and a segment of the animatic.
• Ensure the team is aware of the essential elements, what can be reused, and what are the possible pitfalls to look out for.
• Calculate complexity/pose counts per episode.
• Suggest any pose cuts if necessary.
• Note which scenes require priority or if another department needs to address it first before Background Characters are added.
• Create additional background character animation notes/sketches for your team’s direction.

• Provide strong leadership;
• Ensure your team hits the agreed deadlines as outlined in the schedule.
• Regularly monitor each individual to assess performance.
• Document performance clearly and provide feedback to the crew.
• Build and maintain crew morale.
• Set SMART goals/objectives to enable and ensure the crew meets the expected standards of performance.
• Check-in on crew progress towards goals and objectives and give feedback on progress.
• Working with the HR Team, assist with crew development;

Qualifications & Skills:

• 1 to 2 years Animation Lead experience.
• Good knowledge of Toon Boom Harmony.
• Have a very good knowledge of the reuse library and employ it wherever possible to achieve the highest level of efficiency for your team.
• Maintaining a positive and professional attitude.
• Great aptitude for drawing, animation, and observation.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Strong and clear communicator.
• Ability to lead and manage a team.
• Must be flexible, willing to learn and self-motivated.
• Be able to work within a production schedule.
• Must have good interpersonal skills.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written.
• The successful candidate must be based in Ireland and have a right to work full-time in the Republic of Ireland.