Cloud Chamber is hiring a
Lead Cinematic Animator

Summary

Join Cloud Chamber as a Lead Cinematic Animator to manage and mentor a team of cinematic animators in creating high-quality BioShock experiences. Collaborate with other departments, lead review sessions, and contribute to the development of animation pipelines and workflows.

Requirements

• Previous Lead, Team Lead, or coaching experience, leading an animation team
• Shipped multiple AAA titles, ideally using Unreal or a comparable engine
• Exceptional knowledge of motion capture and hand key animation as they pertain to video game cinematics
• Animation graph and data integration experience
• Experience working with Motion Capture data and pipelines
• Experience in hand-key facial animation and audio-driven facial animation tools
• Experience structuring & maintaining animation processes such as rigging, or prototyping
• A very strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and silhouette
• Excellent understanding of anatomy and caricature
• Exceptional skill in animating the human bipedal figure, organic forms, quadrupedal, and mechanical objects
• An exemplary understanding of traditional animation principles and physical storytelling
• Able to respond elegantly to difficult creative changes, often late in the process
• Strong collaborative and flexible spirit
• Champion of high standards, pushing for progress, embracing change, and challenging the status quo
• Uncompromising ethics and unwavering integrity
• A positive force multiplier with a great team-player attitude

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a team of cinematic animators in the development of high-end cinematic and cut-scene animations
• Contribute to the development of the cinematic animation pipeline and workflows, with a continuous eye for improvement
• Partner with other department leads and animation leadership to plan for mocap sessions
• Lead review sessions with the cinematic animation team, giving constructive, actionable feedback
• Actively collaborate with other disciplines to ensure cinematic animation goals are set, met, and completed in a timely manner
• Work closely with Production to identify blocking issues, develop milestone roadmaps, participate in sprint planning and tasking, and delegate animation work
• Share your own experience, best practices, and cinematic animation know-how to elevate the less experienced members of the team
• Take on a small animation workload when time permits
• Take an active role in the animation and cinematic leadership circle, by sharing your voice and best practices to help guide the culture of the cinematic team
• Participate in the hiring process for the department, including the creation of job roles and responsibilities
• Establish on-boarding and team training for the cinematic animation team regarding animation related tools, and processes, and software

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off
• Remote work, flexible hours
• Life and disability insurance
• Bonuses and incentives
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness programs
• Family and parental leave