This senior role here at Insomniac Games is responsible for working with the Character TD team to design, implement and maintain the animation and rigging pipeline. This role will create character setups, Python tools and basic animations as needed. Our senior members work with other departments to solve animation related production needs, create production systems and methods to attain production goals. We will expect you to keep abreast of industry trends and techniques. If this sounds interesting -- please read on!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
- Creates high quality animation rigs, systems, setups and workflows that help to define the standard for the industry at the highest quality level, while staying on schedule
- Designs, develops and continuously improves the Insomniac character set-up process and systems, including facial setups and animation transfer tools, as it relates to the animation pipeline
- Rigs characters in preparation for animation in Maya, by creating skeletons, skinning character models, authoring and integrating corrective shapes, rigging character faces for lip-synch and facial performances and authoring character specific python tools and custom rig modules
- Creates dynamic runtime setups for cloth, hair, ragdoll and more.
- Writes Python scripts that expedite character setup and animation processes
- Contributes to the design and development of the animation pipeline and production process based on project and companywide goals, needs and requirements
- Creates sample animations for the purpose of testing new and existing systems
- Animates cameras and simple objects for gameplay and cinematics as necessary
- Assists in the polish of cinematics through deformation improvements, offline simulation and/or character finaling.
- Works with various internal departments on improving engine/tools/practices/visual fidelity to advance the state of the art of the in game and cinematic character performances
- Help ensure that scenes run properly on the real-time game engine
- Possesses a comprehensive understanding of the animation techniques used for the purposes of proactive problem solving and troubleshooting
- Understands and may assist, the process of creating cinematics
- Maintains an expert understanding of skeletons, facial animation methodologies, constraints and other Maya tools and systems used for character animation
- Maintains expert understanding of skeletal and muscular anatomy
- This position assists with mentoring more junior level members of the team.
- Other duties may be assigned
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university; or five to seven years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- One to four years of experience in character setup, Python scripting, a familiarity with MEL and a comprehensive understanding of all technical aspects of Maya animation.
- One to two years of animation training covering all basic animation principals.
- Extensive knowledge of Maya
- working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to quickly pick up technical programs, and maintain an understanding of Ziva, Dynamics and Houdini.
- Maintain strong understanding of high-resolution cloth and hair simulation techniques and technology using both runtime and offline solutions including Havok, Dynamics, Carbon, Vellum or similaris a plus
- Maintain familiarity of industry leading performance capture and solving techniques, including machine-learning based approaches is also a plus.
Other Skills: The ability to articulate thoughts and ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.
If this sounds like the opportunity you have been looking for, we'd like to hear from you. Please use the link above and apply directly. Thanks!
