Rigging Supervisor (BC & ON)

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)! 

On a CG animated film, the Rigging Supervisor sets up the articulation and deformation system of character, props and vehicles and presents the Animator with a system that they can manipulate to produce animation. Additionally, the Rigging Supervisor can write tools which enhance character performance and also expedite workflow through automation when applicable.

In this role you will:

• Sets up rigs for optimal performance and efficient animation output while collaborating closely with Design, Modelling and Animation departments.
• Must have extensive articulation and deformation skills.
• Develop tools for optimizing the character performance and efficient workflow processes.
• In the case of motion capture production, must establish the technical requirements of how a motion capture rig can be used to create the template to generate animation.
• Devises and innovates methods of working with skeletons, modeling geometry and weighting that meet the project’s creative objectives.
• Collaborates with the animation team in the testing of characters and provides timely solutions to any technical or performance related issues. Responsible for evaluating any issues that may arise in the rigging and enveloping of creatures and devises efficient solutions.
• Reviews rigging related production schedules

Need to have:

• Advanced knowledge of geometry creation, weighting and skeleton rigging.
• Expertise in Maya, Python, MentalRay and MEL required.
• Advanced knowledge of UNIX/Linux, procedural and object-oriented programming languages.
• Ability to create script in Python allowing for automation of specific tasks.
• Advanced artistic skills; demonstrable ability to make creative and aesthetic judgment calls.
• Evaluates and recommends relevant external plugins/scripts.

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.
• Lead/Supervisor 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.