Lead Animator

Job Description

ESPN Creative Studio leverages the combined talents of our in-house storytelling, animation, design and edit teams to elevate ESPN content for fans and advertisers.

Position Summary:

The Lead Animator role at ESPN is responsible for translating assignment details and creative direction into visually compelling solutions through the creation of template and custom animations for short turn-around and long-range projects. Individuals need to work well within a team, but also have the skills to be successful when working independently. Must be proactive, have excellent communication skills and not be shy about offering up smart solutions. This is a hands-on position requiring advanced knowledge of After Effects, Media Encoder, Photoshop, Illustrator and Cinema 4D – showcasing the ability to develop animations from concept to completion. Successful individuals in this role possess strong conceptualization and technical skills, are able to change direction easily, actively develop their software skills and proactively communicate on all phases of an assignment to ensure the delivery of quality creative content.

Responsibilities:
• Advanced knowledge of After Effects; able to create high-level custom animations as well as develop animation templates/toolkits for handoff production teams and less experienced users
• Advanced After Effects scripting and toolkit knowledge ; able to customize scripts and code (Python, JavaScript) for more efficient template/toolkit workflow
• Advanced Cinema4D knowledge; capable of animating objects with fluid camera motion; model hard surface and organic objects; practical understanding of UV texture mapping
• Aptitude for reviewing and troubleshooting internal and external After Effects and C4D scenes, providing guidance and technical solutions that fit within our animation pipeline
• Advance knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator
• Must be an excellent communicator and collaborator within a fast paced daily workflow environment
• Display next-level creativity within productions, actively pursue and share creative solutions
• Translate assignment details and creative direction into visually compelling solutions
• Proactively mentor, coach and develop less experienced animation staff
• Strong technical skills within animation, software solutions, and production pipelines
• Ability to quickly and independently pivot between assignments
• Maintain high-level output and efficiency
• Engineer animation projects for efficient versioning and rendering
• Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and adherence to quality control and delivery specs
• Highly motivated, work well under pressure, and able to prioritize assignments
• Confidence working independently and within a team
• Strong organization, communication, collaboration and daily reporting skills
• Receptive to creative direction/critical feedback
• Continually engaged in developing personal software knowledge and technical skills to increase versatility

Qualifications:
• Advanced knowledge of After Effects, Cinema 4D, Photoshop, Illustrator
• Practical understanding of Media Encoder for AE rendering and conversion
• Familiarity with industry standard CPU/GPU render engines
• Link to online portfolio/demo reel

Preferred Qualifications:
• Practical knowledge of 2D tracking techniques
• Experience developing advanced visual effects utilizing C4D, Mograph, X-Particles, Turbulence FD
• Experience within the animation, VFX, or graphics industry as a hands-on animator
• Experience creating and maintaining sports themed animation packages

Required Education:
• HS Diploma or Equivalent

Preferred Education:
• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

Additional Information: (i.e. physical requirements, holiday, nights, weekend shifts, etc.)
• Ability to work flexible hours including nights, weekends and holidays

var jobInfo = {

category: 'Graphic-Design',

location: 'Bristol, Connecticut, United States; Los Angeles, California, United States; Town of Bristol, Connecticut, United States',

req: '10022268',

}

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d9eoq9-18-223-160-61-42 in your application.