Industry Skills

Here are some companies I would like to work for. I have researched what they look for in the job role of an animator. This will help me understand where I am at, and what I need to do in order to get to where I want to be.

Framestore:

Animators should be comfortable using Maya, and ideally should have previous experience of working on large scale Film projects. Successful applicants should have the ability to work well as part of a team and should have proven ability to meet deadlines.

• Several years of experience in a similar role.
• Experience in creature and character animation.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• A thorough knowledge of Maya

Pixar:

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
- Finish work for Director approval in a timely manner
- Attend animation dailies

Qualifications:

- Degree or certificate in classical animation, film, or related field, or equivalent production animation experience
- Must have a DVD 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
- Proven storytelling skills
- 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
- An art background, which shows a thorough, understanding of physical motion, weight, balance, texture, and form
- Computer animation experience preferred but not required 

Double Negative:

Needs To Do

• Work closely with the animation lead/supervisor to create believable animation with convincing performances and motion
• Be aware of project schedules and be capable of delivering work to deadlines
• Must communicate well and be willing to take notes and direction
• Must work well in a team

Needs To Know

• 3+ years CG experience, ideally within feature films
• Ability to perform visual and analytical problem solving in 3-dimensional space, including the ability to accurately interpret 3D layouts and analyse 3D form
• Ability to problem solve and predict potential problems with assigned tasks
• Thorough knowledge of Maya

Needs To Be

• Well versed in the principles of animation
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Highly motivated
• Adaptable
• Must communicate well and be able to take notes and direction

Measures of Performance

• Must achieve set quota per week/month

Blue Sky Studios:

Purpose of the job:

Our Animators are responsible for implementation of complex character animation and for the "movement" in computer animations, included but not limited to, timing, acting and posing of characters.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

Work with the Director in establishing character design and movement.
Take models and/or rigged models (set up for animation) to finished animation.
Work with modelers, riggers, and technical directors to implement the animation.
Maintains a consistent level of productivity while meeting deadlines and producing high quality work

Qualifications:

Education and/or Experience Required:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree in Computer Science, Computer Visualization, or Computer Animation required or equivalent work experience.

Skills, Abilities, Special Licenses or Certificate:
 
Demonstrated expertise in the following: animation, rigging, sketching and/or drawing skills.
Knowledge of Unix and shell scripting; expert knowledge of Maya, proprietary and other software programs.
Demonstrated artistic ability with a strong understanding of traditional animation principles.
Must be open to direction and able to embrace change.
Ability to work collaboratively