LAIKA Hiring

LOCATION   :  Oregon, United States

POSITIONS  : Rigger
                       : Animator
                       : Pipeline TD
                       : Storyboard Artist

CG Rigger                                                                                             

Job Description

General Summary

The CG Rigger works closely with the CG Animators to primarily create facial rigs, in a script build environment, in order to maintain a cohesive organic look during the animation process and through to the 3D printing process.

 Essential Job Functions

• Creates and supports interfaces, control mechanisms and tools for receiving departments as assigned by the Rigging Supervisor and RPD Leadership.
• Designs and implements new scripts, tools, and techniques for the Rigging department as well as specific RPD requirements to aid in future development.
• Meet production deadlines as established by management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area of study or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2-3 years of CG feature film and/or Visual Effects or equivalent rigging experience.
• Experience working on a fully animated theatrically released CG feature film a plus.
• Knowledge of Maya, MEL and Python preferred.
• Experience rigging a variety of facial animation systems, including experience with body and prop rigs. 
• Strong knowledge of character kinematics, deformation and biomechanics.
• Basic modeling skills and ability to understand polygonal mesh flow.
• Background in visual arts/design with a strong understanding of form, geometry and movement.
• Ability to provide feedback to team members on work under development and mentor lesser experienced team members.
• Knowledge of dynamics, Linux experience and Maya C++ plug in development, all a plus.
• 3D printing experience a plus.

Freelance CG Animator                                                                    

Job Description

LAIKA/House is currently qualifying and adding candidates to our database of freelance talent for pending and future projects. Freelance work can vary from one day to several months depending on the project. Individuals will be required to work on-site, during normal business hours, and will be paid as W2 employees.

General Summary

The Animator creates the performance of an animated character, conveying emotion, movement, action and personality. A CG Animator animates using a computer and software tools such as Maya.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Read and break down dialog tracks and plan shots
• Block in rough animation for Director (and/or Lead or Supervisor) approval
• Work with Director (and/or Lead or Supervisor) to finalize animation
• Meet animation deadlines as established by production management
• Animate props and effects, if needed
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience as a CG Character Animator in a fast paced environment such as commercial or game production
• Strong understanding of traditional animation principles
• High level of expertise in Maya
• Ability to bring characters to life
• A firm grasp of technical animation issues, including character effects and rigging is highly desired
• Acting skills a plus
• Bachelor's degree in, Animation, Film, Fine Art or Computer Science or other relevant area of study and/or equivalent job experience a plus
• Experience as a CG Character Animator on a fully animated theatrically released CG feature film, a plus

Work sample/reel demonstrating skills and qualifications required.

Local candidates preferred.

Pipeline TD                                                                  

Job Description

Laika is looking for a Pipeline TD to work closely with Sr. Engineers, artists and Technical Directors to design, develop, and deploy in-house software tools to solve production issues and help make our groundbreaking stop motion animated feature films. This position is for a generalist and may work on projects for a number of departments, included Stage/Camera, Animation, Editorial, VFX, Art, and Rapid Prototyping.

Essential Job Functions

• Work with Sr. Engineers and TD’s to help define requirements for new tools and develop prototypes.
• Develop new tools using 3rd party and open source software.
• Extend and integrate artist tools in a Shotgun based framework.
• Support users on OSX and Linux.
• Assist with the support of existing tools with bug fixes and version updates for Production Technology applications.
• Develop test plans and work with end users of Production Technology tools toimprove their usability.
• Support applications through documentation, training, and handling questions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or other relevant area of studyand/or equivalent job experience.
• 3+ years of experience in a similar role in the VFX or feature animation industry.
• Strong knowledge of Python, PyQT, Shotgun API.
• Experience with C++, Django/wsgi and ExtJS a big plus.
• Familiar with the API’s and use of at least 3 of these: RV, Alembic, Nuke, Avid, Unity, Maya, Houdini, Adobe Suite.
• Experience with stop motion animation production a plus.

Storyboard Artist                                                       

Job Description

The Storyboard Artist, under the Supervision of the Director and Head of Story, translates and interprets story lines into a visual medium via sketches, thumbnail drawings and finished storyboarddrawings.

Essential Job Functions

Create quick thumbnail sketches through to finished detailed storyboard panels.

Utilizes storytelling techniques for film and the effective use of camera and staging.

Performs background research to inform the story process.

Illustrate script pages and story ideas.

Work with Director and Head of Story to define staging, pacing and camera action.

Visually analyze and translate scripts.

Create quick sketches through to finished storyboard panels.

Create inventive ideas and stories with a sense of entertainment and humor for multiple types of creative projects.

Develop character personality and dramatic/comedic action.

Incorporate Director’s notes.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Art or other relevant area of study or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

3+ years experience as a storyboard Artist on an animated feature films or television required.

Strong drawing ability which conveys character and action.

Strong understanding of the principles of animation; emotion, acting, movement is required.

Strong team member with ability to work effectively with all levels in the organization including people with different styles and backgrounds.

Experience with Photoshop, a plus.

Experience with the Wacom Cintiq drawing tablet, a plus.

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