Animation Director

Description

Lead Animator

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Microsoft Game Studios’ Halo team 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 Animation Director is vital in establishing, creating and maintaining animations that will bring our game world alive and help us build an immersive, exciting gaming 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 an outstanding animator and an outstanding production resource as well as an outstanding manager - a seasoned veteran who possesses strong leadership skills, 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
Manage an internal animation team on a day to day basis.
Work closely with the Art Director to execute the defined animation style for the project.
Work closely with the 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 Project Lead.
Maintain and communicate a strong knowledge of innovative game production technologies and the capabilities/limitations of these technologies as they relate to the project goals.
Build a team of animators for the project. This may include seeking out and interviewing potential candidates.
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 game-play goals
Demonstrate and communicate clear expectations for quality of work, productivity, communication and professionalism to the animation team
Participate in developing run-time game animation procedures & pipelines
Mentor less-experienced animators