Senior Cinematic Animator (CONTRACT)

This is an 8-month contract. This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.

Insomniac Games is looking for a new Senior Cinematic Animator. In this role, the Senior Cinematic Animator is responsible for creating high-quality in-game cinematics that meet the visual and performance standards established by the Animation Director. This role involves driving the cinematic process from script interpretation and scene layout through final implementation in the game engine.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:  

• Develop high-quality cinematic animation content using both motion capture and hand-key techniques, ensuring alignment with schedule and performance benchmarks.
• Collaborate closely with Animation Directors and Lead Animators to design cinematics that reflect the game's vision and adhere to its unique cinematography style.
• Contribute to setting and maintaining performance standards and work in tandem with other departments to ensure seamless integration of cinematics into the game engine.
• Refine and enhance character performances, focusing on both body and facial animation, to create lifelike and engaging scenes.
• Participate actively in cinematic team feedback sessions, presenting work and incorporating constructive critique.
• Demonstrate a strong grasp of animation and camera principles essential for crafting a realistic and immersive cinematic experience.
• Utilize project management tools such as Jira and Flow to effectively track progress and manage workload.
• Communicate efficiently with the Animation Director and Project Management to report on progress, addressing potential roadblocks to ensure timely delivery of tasks.
• Perform additional related responsibilities as assigned to support the animation team's goals and objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities, however this role mentors more junior artists.  

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. 

Computer Skills: Advanced knowledge of Maya, Insomniac proprietary tools (preferred), and a knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. MotionBuilder and Adobe Premiere a plus. Knowledge of common state machine flow in any game engine a plus.