jobby: Animator, Supervising Animator, Pixar Canada, Vancouver

Last updated on April 26, 2010

April 5, 2010

Animator

About Pixar Canada
Pixar Canada is looking for several Animators for its new studio in Vancouver. Pixar Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pixar Animation Studios, the world leader in animated films. The Vancouver studio will produce short-form animation focusing on legacy Pixar characters from films such as Toy Story and Cars. This is an opportunity to help build a world-class organization from the ground-up and to be part of a diverse and talented team.

Summary of Position
An Animator creates the motions, gestures, and expressions of three-dimensional computer graphics characters and objects.

General Duties and Responsibilities
•Receive with each assigned shot: storyboards, story reels, recorded dialogue, set layout, and direction. The Director shows each new sequence in layout and describes what is expected for every shot at a “blocking meeting”
•Read soundtrack and plan shot
•Block in movements in rough animation and show for the Director’s approval in a daily review
•Refine and finish work for Director approval
•Attend animation dailies
•Deliver work in a timely manner

Background and Qualifications
•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
•Strong attention to detail
•An art background, which shows a thorough understanding of physical motion, weight, balance, texture, and form
•Proven storytelling skills
•Must have an online demo reel that demonstrates application of the principles of animation to tell a story with meaning through movement
•Ability to work collaboratively
•Must be open to direction and able to embrace change
•Degree or certificate in classical animation, film, or related field, or equivalent production animation experience

Submission Process

Please apply online at our website, www.pixarcanada.com.  If you are interested in and qualified for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, link that points us directly to your demo reel, and reelbreakdown/shotlist . PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL DEMO REELS. If you don’t have a website to showcase your work, you may be able to use a free service like Dropbox.

Supervising Animator

About Pixar Canada
Pixar Canada is looking for a Supervising Animator for its new studio in Vancouver. Pixar Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pixar Animation Studios, the world leader in animated films. The Vancouver studio will produce short-form animation focusing on legacy Pixar characters from films such as Toy Story and Cars. This is an opportunity to help build a world-class organization from the ground-up and to be part of a diverse and talented team.

Summary of Position
Reporting to the Creative Director, the Supervising Animator defines the direction of the Animation department to achieve the Director and Creative Director’s vision. Supervises, assists, and motivates animators to ensure that their work is completed at the highest quality, on schedule to reflect the Director’s vision.

General Duties and Responsibilities
•Maintains and represents the Directors vision for the film, while advocating Animators’ artistic interpretation.
•Functions as Director’s “right hand” in Animation by upholding animation quality throughout the film
•Animates shots
•Holds the “Long-term” Animation view over the show and provides overall perspective to the show including story understanding.
•Acts as the Animation department representative in meetings with other team leads
•Provides Leadership and fosters communication, including working with and communicating show & department needs to management and other teams.
•Responsible for the model of development from the animation’s perspective and proactively anticipates the needs of the team
•Partners with Management to:

1. Cast shots to animators.
2. Coach and motivate animators, help set them up for success.
3. Write & deliver personnel reviews.
4. Be familiar with Animator’s past work

•Work with Management to:

1. Develop schedules and identify deliverables
2. Provide support/motivation enabling animators to deliver a successful film

Background and Qualifications
•Minimum of 5 years professional animation experience required
•Minimum of 3 years in a leadership role
•Strong understanding of entertainment, acting, and traditional animation principles
•Must be able to motivate and support creative work on schedule, within the Director’s vision, and within a fast paced production environment
•Willing to lead by example
•Can animate to current Pixar animation standards
•Must have working knowledge of other department pipelines: i.e. Character Modeling, FX, Layout, Lighting
•Able to identify and isolate problems with models, layouts, software, and hardware
•Must have a “good animation eye” coupled with excellent communication skills
•Must have good interpersonal skills and a calm temperament. Ability to listen well, be patient, understanding, and trustworthy with sensitive information.

Submission Process

Please apply online at our website, www.pixarcanada.com.  If you are interested in and qualified for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, link that points us directly to your demo reel, and reel breakdown/shotlist with the subject line “Supervising Animator”. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL DEMO REELS. If you don’t have a website to showcase your work, you may be able to use a free service like Dropbox.

For previous Pixar positions, follow the link.