Senior Animator-USA

Friday, August 27, 2010 No Comments

COMPANY NAME: Microsoft
NAME OF THE POST: Animator-Senior-MGS-343 Industries-Halo(Job ID:
725461 20539)
EXPERIENCE: Not Applicable
QUALIFICATION: Any/UG/PG/
WORK LOCATION:WA Redmond,USA
Desired Candidate Profile:
Job ID:
725461 20539

Microsoft's' 343 Industries is looking for exceptional art talent to contribute to a new experience in the Halo universe. Teamwork, innovation, attention-to-detail and unbridled passion are characteristics we look for in all of our artists. If you feel you have what it takes, throw your hat in the ring.

The Senior Animator is vital in establishing, creating and maintaining animations that will bring our world alive and help us build an immersive, exciting Halo experience. He/she should bring a strong understanding of classic animation principles and its fundamentals (staging, timing, anticipation, follow through, exaggeration, squash and stretch) as well as the ability to create the full range of lifelike performances from the subtle to the dramatic and powerful.
The ideal candidate is both an outstanding animator and an outstanding production resource - a seasoned veteran who possesses strong leadership skills, a good production-sense and the talent to produce and implement the highest quality work. Excellent communication, time-management and organizational skills are a must.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Work closely with the Art Director and Animation Lead to execute the defined animation style for the project.
Work closely with the Lead Animator and Project Lead to ensure that the defined animation goals are manageable within the context of the overall project schedule and budget.
Resolve timeline and artistic discrepancies promptly and professionally with the Animation Lead and Project Lead.
Maintain and communicate a strong knowledge of innovative production technologies and the capabilities/limitations of these technologies as they relate to the project goals.
Assist Animation Lead to build a team of animators for the project. This may include participation in interview/testing sessions for potential animators.
Troubleshoot and consistently present solutions to technical issues related to animation.
Participate in regular team meetings.
May offer critique during the performance evaluation process for other Character Animators.
Participate in coordinating the technical and aesthetic animation processes in order to realize the visual and user experience goals
Demonstrate and communicate clear expectations for quality of work, productivity, communication and professionalism to the animation team
Participate in developing run-time animation procedures & pipelines
Mentor less-experienced animators

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
4+ years of games character animation experience
A Bachelor's degree or diploma with an emphasis in animation preferred.
Strong understanding of next-gen animation development processes, limitations and dependencies including motion-capture, key-framed, dynamic and physics-based movement
Must demonstrate an exceptional visual/technical understanding of animation mechanics with an emphasis on weight, timing and fluid, overlapping motion
Ability to animate characters, creatures and objects at an extremely high level of quality and utilizing various styles
Must be experienced in Motionbuilder and one traditional 3D package such as Maya, Max or XSI
Ability to work collaboratively - must be open to direction and able to embrace change
Proven storytelling skills + the ability to use acting skills, which bring characters to life, as well as clearly communicate simple ideas with which an audience can empathize.
Strong understanding of traditional animation principles

* Must have a demo reel that demonstrates application of the principles of animation to tell a story with meaning through movement; the reel should also demonstrate a strong understanding of the principles of animation and a wide breadth of stylistic versatility.
URL: http://www.microsoft-careers.com/