Overview

Animal Logic is recognized as one of the world’s leading independent creative digital studios, producing award winning design, visual effects and animation for 30 years. We are on a mission to create GREAT WORK with GREAT PEOPLE, and are looking to bring an experienced Rigging Lead onto the team, to help make it happen!

Are you a Rigging Lead who has worked closely with a variety of departments including R&D, art, modelling, layout and animation; to develop, implement and maintain assets for use in both layout and animation?

What you’ll get to do:

• Develop and maintain procedural rig components using a custom Python Rigging API.
• Organise and manage a team of riggers, providing guidance and support when required.
• Provide leadership and works with production and Artist Management to develop the skills and abilities of all digital artists in the team.
• Clearly communicate the overall brief and goals of a project to each member of the team.
• Delegate work responsibly to ensure successful completion of shots across team members of all skill levels.
• Drive the team reviews and offer creative/technical feedback on reviewed shots.
• Participates in production pipeline problem solving.
• Document new techniques and distributes updates to peers, crew and Production Management.
• Prioritise and break down a project into organized parts.
• Support open communication between your department, R&D and all AL departments.
• Work with the Rigging Supervisor or production team to prepare bids and pitches as required.
• Assist Production Management in preparation of final show reports as required.
• Be responsible for providing leadership, direction and allocating work to the artists within the team in consultation with the Rigging Supervisor.
• Ensure conflict is identified early (and escalated as appropriate) and constructive solutions are put in place to resolve/diffuse.
• Create synergies between different work groups and individuals to promote innovative ideas and approaches to ‘how we do things’.
• Work closely with the Animation Director, CG Supervisor, Rigging Supervisor, other Animation Leads, Animation Workflow Lead and Technical Directors to ensure efficient pipeline management in and out of the Assets Unit.
• Participate in brainstorming and problem solving to create and maintain production pipeline(s) and support AL’s overall technical goals as required.

What you bring:

• 5 + years’ experience on feature films, TV and/or animated feature.
• 5 + years’ experience in Rigging or related technical field.
• Software development experience using Python and/or rigging solutions/tools with relevant application API in a production pipeline.
• 3 + years’/ previous experience in a leadership role.
• Proficient and production proven knowledge of rigging in Maya.
• Proficient and production proven knowledge in Python and learning/working to proprietary APIs.
• Profound understanding and ability to apply foundation knowledge of pertinent mathematical disciplines (basics of linear algebra and trigonometry as required).
• Proficient and production proven knowledge in pipeline, process, tools and techniques with a high level understanding of industry standards, conventions, formats and common practice.
• Proficient and proven knowledge of both mechanical and organic type rigs in a production environment.
• Proficient and proven ability to create and deliver production ready rigs in a timely manner.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to efficiently organise and prioritise work across multiple departments.
• Proven solid technical and visual skills, excellent attention to detail
• C++ knowledge helpful but not mandatory.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within a team environment and build relationships across departments.
• Excellence in problem solving and balancing quick turnaround with long term quality.
• Willingness to learn, and contribute to the success of the team and project
• Ability to effectively work and communicate with all personality types.
• Ability to inspire, mentor, and motivate members of the Rigging team.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to efficiently organise and prioritise work across multiple areas.
• Excellence in problem solving and balancing quick turnaround with long term quality.

What you’ll need to include on your application:

• Examples of your python scripts
• Variety of styles of rigs, in particular character/creature rigs.