Animator (Mid-Level)

Lucasfilm Animation is the creator of the Emmy award winning animation series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, as well as Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Resistance and Star Wars: The Bad Batch is looking to hire an Animator to join our team.

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work onsite in our San Francisco office and occasionally from home.

The primary role of an Animator, is to support the Animation Director in the execution, and delivery of animated shot production.  They need to have a thorough knowledge of the classical animation principles, and a strong grasp of an animation pipeline.  The ideal candidate would be both an outstanding animator, and be able work with higher level direction.  They should possess strong communication skills, a great work ethic, and be able to work well as part of a team

What You’ll Do

• Create high quality character animation utilizing the classic principles.

• Need to be able to create believable characters and physicality of motion whether biped, quadruped, or any other type of creature.

• Work closely with the Animation Director and colleagues to develop animation cycles and animate key emotional or technical performances

• Work with the Animation Director and Supervising Director to help set the style, and look of the animation for key characters

• Consistently meet deadlines without sacrificing animation quality.

• Communicate as requested with external vendor to aid in development of any animation related tasks. 

• Present completed shots to Animation Director for notes and/or final approval and address any notes given to achieve final approval

• Communicate with Animation Coordinator, and other production colleagues for due dates on all internal shot production.

• Will be asked to help polish and take in progress  animation shots from our clients to the next level of performance. 

• Test out new rigs to make sure that characters and vehicles are able to attain the high quality performances that we need.

• Test new software and methods of working to make sure we keep up to date with the latest animation technology.

• When requested, attend meetings with internal (ILM/ADG) and external studio development teams

• Work with the Animation Supervisor to collect footage of past episodes (CW/Rebels) to aid in current episode  with any animation related tasks.

• Research, collect, and catalog reference imagery and videos as requested by Animation Supervisor that pertains to upcoming episodes and Animation Kickoffs

• Attend after hours animation kick-off meetings with overseas vendors as requested

• Attend animation dailies and assist production if needed to prepare the daily session

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years experience working as an animator on feature films, episodic television, or games.

• Demonstrated professional character animation experience in the entertainment industry.  Showing command of weight, timing, and posing through key frame animation.

• Strong understanding of classic animation principles, as well as to create the full range of performances from the dramatic and powerful to the subtle.

• Experience in animating creatures, vehicles, and machinery.

• Proficient with lip-sync and facial animation.

• Familiarity with rigging of characters. Knowledge of modeling is a plus.

• Excellent communication, time-management, and organizational skills are a must.

• Expert knowledge of various software applications. Maya is a necessity. Technical expertise is a plus. 

• Must be able to communicate to the animation crew and production team accurately and effectively.

• You have a Bachelor's Degree in [Film, Art, Animation] or related or you have gained that experience by working in our industry.

The hiring range for this position in San Francisco is $86,800-$112,200 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.