Animation Director

At Mainframe Studios, we’re creators first. We eat creative and technical challenges for breakfast and come back for more. We’ve been doing this for 25+ years, and we’re still going strong. From our artists to our technical and production folks, everyone is passionate about collaborating on some kickass projects. With partners like Mattel, Netflix, DreamWorks, Sony, Silvergate, and Nickelodeon, it's no wonder we’ve established ourselves as a creative force to be reckoned with.

In crewing our shows, Mainframe Studios values the strength in the diversity of backgrounds, lived experiences, and identities. We welcome and encourage applicants who bring new perspectives and experiences to our teams. We strongly encourage people from BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, and indigenous communities and those with diverse abilities to apply.

WE WANT YOU (and your mad skills)! 

We are looking for an experienced Animation Director to join our team on an exciting series! Under the guidance of the Director, the Animation Director provides creative leadership to the animation team.

This role will require multiple days in the office per week.

In this role you will:

• Defines the creative style of a project’s animation.
• Defines and implements techniques and processes that help realize and enhance the performance of characters.
• Ensures that the animation team is motivated to achieve the highest standards possible within the parameters of the production plan.
• Oversees character consistency throughout film, ensuring that key character and story moments are supported through performance.
• Evaluates and casts animators to characters/sequences/shots that best suit to their skill set.
• Collaborates with creative and technical staff to ensure animation feasibility within the confines of schedule and budget.
• Ensures that the animators are achieving balance, composition and timing requirements in a way that supports performance, story and character.
• Guides animators, leads and supervisors to creatively enhance material in order to achieve set standards of performance and complexity.

Need to have:

• Expert understanding of principles of animation.
• Superior knowledge of anatomy, perspective and composition.
• Advanced knowledge of modeling, character rigging and facial animation.
• Highly skilled in classical animation, stop animation or claymation.
• Advanced level of proficiency in using Maya

Software you will use:

• Maya

Nice to have:

• Degree and/or diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience working in a professional environment within their discipline.
• Previous Supervisor/Director Experience

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Mainframe Studios is an Equal Opportunity Employer, which means we will not discriminate against any individual based on race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran status, disability, or any factors prohibited by applicable law. This policy applies to every aspect of employment at Mainframe Studios, including recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, and termination. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and partners. Should you require accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please let us know your requirements when contacted.