Career in Animation with Rainmaker Studios

Rainmaker studios hiring Animators,riggers and modelers

Rainmaker Entertainment Vancouver hiring animators ,Lighting artists,Modelers and Rigging Artists

• Sr Animator
• L.Animator
• Animator
• Modeling
• Sr.Lighting
• Rigger

Senior Animator

Rainmaker is looking for Senior Animators for our first preschool TV series, Bob the Builder! With this much experience, you know what the role is…to make awesome, incredible, outstanding animation! And….as a senior member of the Animation team, you will  also be a leader, coach and mentor to other animators. Why not share your knowledge, right?!

As far as previous experience goes, you have probably worked in the industry for 4 years or more and are really passionate about your work. If this sounds like you, keep on reading and apply to us with your online reel!

PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Follows the established style of performance for the project and mentors as necessary.
• Collaborates with Lead and/or Principal to create and determine unique traits for characters and or objects to be animated.
• Mentors and trains the artist to consistently strive towards excellence as necessary.
• Seeks creative options to maximize re-use when applicable.
• Provides feedback and support to the team as necessary.
• Provides mentoring and training as necessary.
• Delivers assignments per project schedules and set quotas.
• Ensures balance, composition and timing requirements are implemented in a way that supports story and character performance.
• Creatively enhances material in order to achieve set standards of performance and complexity.
• Interpret and implement notes and feedback from Director (s), Supervisor or Leads in a timely and qualitatively acceptable way.
• Adheres to digital file management protocols.
• Supports and integrates the values of Rainmaker, which includes a commitment to innovation, creativity, professionalism and inspiration.
• Interacts respectfully and professionally with colleagues, staff members and clients.
• Additional duties as requested 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

Degree and/or diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience is preferred.

TV/DVD Production

3-5+ years of experience working in a professional environment within their discipline.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Background in classical animation, stop motion or claymation is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of principles of animation.
• In-depth knowledge of anatomy, perspective and composition.
• Strong abilities to use acting skills that in turn can articulate ideas and traits of characters.
• High level of proficiency animating in Maya. Strong modeling and rigging required.
• In-depth knowledge of software.  Consistently strives to expand knowledge base and keep abreast of latest hardware and software.
• In-depth aesthetic skills including staging and timing.
• Ability to communicate and/or demonstrate ideas clearly and concisely both verbally and visually.
• Practices attentive and active listening. Shares information, methodologies and ideas with others. Incorporates feedback and direction received from the Director/Supervisor.
• Ability to mentor. Open to and encourages feedback and new initiatives.  Shares information and techniques with team members.
• Solid work ethic and positive attitude. Self-motivated and pro-active. Ability to work under pressure. Consistently strives to expand knowledge base.
• Efficient and detail oriented. Ability to complete work with minimal supervision.
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to work collaboratively
• Ability to fulfill performance expectations with minimal iterations and deliver work on time per production quota requirements

APPLY FOR THIS POSITION



        

Lead Animator

Rainmaker needs talented Lead Animators for our first pre-school TV Series, 

Bob the Builder!..So what are we looking for? You will have experience 

leading a team and this will be your chance to make a real impact as we 

grow. We will be looking to you to provide mentorship and training. We want 

someone who will lead by example and create some amazing animation to set 

the bar and inspire the crew!

As far as previous experience goes, you’ve likely worked in the industry 

for at least 5 years, and on at least one TV Series in a senior capacity, 

and you are looking to take that next step in your career. You’ve been 

relied upon to teach others how to achieve quality and you are known to 

share your tips and tricks freely with the artists. If this speaks to you…

send us your resume and your online reel!

PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Helps to define and implement the standards for the acting performance.
• Develops and defines animation styles and techniques which set the stage 
• for outstanding performance and unique storytelling.
• Motivates, mentors and supports the team to consistently strive towards 
• excellence.
• Oversees character consistency throughout or on assigned sequences, 
• ensuring that key character and story moments are supported through 
• performance.
• Works with the Supervisor and/or production management to cast animators to characters/sequences/shots that best suit their skill set.
• Collaborates with creative and technical staff to ensure animation feasibility within the confines of schedule and budget.

• Seeks creative options to maximize re-use when applicable.
•  Provides vision, feedback, motivation and support to the team.
• Provides coaching, mentoring and training as necessary.
• Partners with production management and Animation Supervisor in tracking 
• and providing support to artists to ensure the on-time delivery of high 
• quality shots.
• Ensures that the animators are achieving balance, composition and timing 
• requirements in a way that supports story and character performance.
• Guides animation team to creatively enhance material in order to achieve 
• set standards of performance and complexity.
• Interprets, implements, and facilitates notes and feedback from Director 
• and Animation Supervisor in a timely and manner and of highest quality.
• Adheres to digital file management protocols.
• Supports and integrates the values of Rainmaker, which includes a 
• commitment to innovation, creativity, professionalism and inspiration.
• Interacts respectfully and professionally with colleagues, staff members 
• and clients.
• Additional duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

Degree and/or diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience is 

required.

TV/DVD Production

• 3-5+ years of experience working in a professional environment within their 
• discipline.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• 
  
• Experience in classical animation, stop motion or claymation.
• Advanced knowledge of principles of animation.
• Advanced knowledge of anatomy, perspective and composition.
• Advanced acting skills that in turn set the standards for the project's 
• character performance.
• Extensive knowledge of modeling, character rigging and facial animation.
• Advanced knowledge of software is required. Advanced knowledge of Maya 
• animation tools.
• Strong storytelling skills along with expertise on how to enrich acting 
• performance.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and/or demonstrate both verbally and 
• visually.
• Ability to collaborate and facilitate feedback requested by executives 
• and/or clients as required.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and inspire team to strive for 
• excellence.
• Solid team leader, delegator and decision-maker.
• Adaptable and able to change course of action quickly per production needs. 
• Highly motivated, pro-active, solutions-oriented, solid work ethic and 
• positive attitude. Ability to work well under pressure. Consistently 
• strives to expand knowledge base.
• Efficient and detail oriented. Ability to prioritize duties in order to 
• fulfill both personal quota and team quota requirements.
• Exceptional problem solving skills and ability to work collaboratively. 
• Actively improves skill set to remain at cutting edge of industry trends.
• Ability to oversee and deliver the highest quality animation feasible 
• within the production parameters and consistently meet departmental 
• production quota requirements.

APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

Animator 

Times are exciting at Rainmaker and we need a great deal of  animators for our first preschool TV series, Bob the Builder!  If you love animating and want to work with awesome people…keep reading!

 PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Under the leadership of the Supervisor and/or Leads, follows the established style of performance for the project.
• As requested, collaborates to create and determine unique traits for characters and/or objects to be animated.
• Delivers assignments per project schedules and set quotas.
• Works to ensure balance, composition and timing requirements are implemented in a way that supports story and character performance.
• Creatively enhances material in order to achieve set standards of performance and complexity.
• Interprets and implements notes and feedback from Director(s), Supervisors or Leads in a timely and qualitatively acceptable way.
• Adheres to digital file management protocols.
• Supports and integrates the values of Rainmaker, which includes a commitment to innovation, creativity, professionalism and inspiration.
• Interacts respectfully and professionally with colleagues, staff members and clients.
• Additional duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

Degree and/or diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience is preferred.

TV/DVD Production

6 months minimum of experience working in a professional environment within their discipline.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated understanding of principles of animation.
• Working knowledge of anatomy, perspective and composition.  Background in classical animation is preferred.
• Proficiency in using Maya is required.
• Strong aesthetic skills including staging and timing.
• Ability to communicate and/or demonstrate ideas clearly and concisely.  Practices attentive and active listening.  Incorporates feedback and direction received from the Director/Supervisor.
• Makes decisions in a timely manner.  Accepts accountability for own actions.
• Open to and encourages feedback and new initiatives.
• Solid work ethic and positive attitude.  Ability to work under pressure.  Self-motivated and pro-active.  Consistently strives to expand knowledge base.
• Efficient and detail oriented.
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to deliver work on time and fulfill production quota.

APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

 Senior Lighting Artist

We have opportunities for Senior Lighting Artists to join us on our very first TV series Bob the Builder! This project has an aggressive timeline but an incredible, dedicated crew! So if you’re up for the challenge and want to be part of this project then you should apply!

The Senior Lighting Artist is tasked with lighting shots from start to finish as they evolve from preliminary lighting through final renders. As senior members of the Lighting team, these artists will be teaching and mentoring the less experienced Lighting Artists in the studio. And of course, making the show look really, really, really good with their amazing lighting skills!!

PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONIBILITY

Ability to work within the lighting and rendering pipeline and capable of troubleshooting common rendering and lighting technical issues.

Provides feedback and support as necessary.

Provides mentoring as necessary.

Interprets and implements notes and feedback from Art Director, Supervisor or Leads in a timely and qualitatively acceptable way.

Collaborates with Surfacing Team in achieving the desired look and establishing the production design complexity.

Collaborates with Effects Artists to test efficacy of the special effects, modifying lighting as necessary.

Delivers assignments per project's schedule.

Adheres to digital file management protocols.

Supports and integrates the values of Rainmaker that being a commitment to innovation, creativity, professionalism and inspiration.

Interacts respectfully and professionally with colleagues, staff members and clients.

Additional duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

Degree and/or diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience preferred.

TV/DVD Production

• 5+ years of experience working in a professional environment within their discipline.
• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
• 
  
• Highly creative, the Senior Lighter is able to hone in on crafting a variety of lighting styles as necessitated by shot/sequences in a given project.  Experience in photography is an asset.
• In-depth understanding of principles of lighting (such as choice of light, placement of the light source, its direction and how to create the desired effect such as contrast and shadows). In-depth knowledge of compositing a plus.
• Ability to apply in-depth knowledge of digital 3D animation, special effects and lighting. A solid understanding of compositing principles and compositing software such as Nuke. 
• In-depth knowledge of Maya and rendering software such as Renderman and/or Mentalray.  Ability to script is an asset.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge in the areas of rendering, lighting, shading and compositing.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely.
• Open to and encourages feedback and new initiatives. Shares information and techniques with team members. Ability to mentor and train.
• Solid work ethic and positive attitude. Ability to work under pressure. Self motivated and pro-active. Consistently strives to expand knowledge base.
• Makes decisions in a timely manner.  Accepts accountability for own actions. Creatively solves problems, eliminates roadblocks and focuses on issue at hand.
• Efficient and detail oriented. Ability to complete work with minimal supervision.
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to fulfill lighting assignment with minimal supervision.

APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

Lighting Artist 

We have opportunities for Lighting Artists to work on our television 

production, Bob the Builder. So if you’re up for the challenge, have 2+ 

years of industry experience and want to be part of Rainmaker, then you 

should apply! As a Lighting Artist you'll be tasked with lighting shots 

from start to finish as they evolve from preliminary lighting through final 

renders.

PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Under the leadership of the Lighting Supervisor and/or Leads, the Lighting 
• Artist lights shots/sequences based on the rigs created by the Principal, 
• Lead or Supervisor.  
• Ability to work within the lighting and rendering pipeline and capable of 
• troubleshooting common rendering and lighting technical issues.
• Interprets and implements notes and feedback form the Supervisor or Lead in 
• a timely and quantitatively acceptable way.
• Collaborates with Surfacing Team in achieving the desired look and 
• establishing the production design complexity and lighting behavioural 
• consistency as it pertains to characters, props and environments.
• Collaborates with FX Artists to test efficacy of the visual effects, 
• modifying lighting as necessary.
• Delivers assignments per project’s schedule.
• Adheres to digital file management protocols.
• Supports and integrates the values of Rainmaker that being a commitment to 
• innovation, creativity, professionalism and inspiration.
• Interacts respectfully and professionally with colleagues, staff members 
• and clients.
• Additional duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

Degree and/or diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience 

required.

TV/DVD Production

2-3+ years of experience working in a professional environment within their 

discipline.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to hone in on crafting a variety of lighting styles as necessitated 
• by shot/sequences in a given project. Experience in photography is an 
• asset.
• Strong understanding of principles of lighting (such as choice of light, 
• placement of the light source, its direction and how to create the desired 
• effect such as contrast and shadows).
• Ability to apply knowledge of digital 3D animation, special effects and 
• lighting.  A demonstrated understanding of compositing principles and 
• compositing software such as Nuke.
• Knowledge of Maya and rendering software such as Renderman and/or 
• Mentalray.  Ability to script is an asset.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge in the areas of rendering, lighting, shading 
• and compositing.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and concisely.
• Open to and encourages feedback and new initiatives. Shares information and 
• techniques with team members.
• Solid work ethic and positive attitude. Ability to work under pressure. 
• Self motivated and pro-active. Consistently strives to expand knowledge 
• base.
• Makes decisions in a timely manner.  Accepts accountability for own 
• actions. Creatively solves problems, eliminates roadblocks and focuses on 
• issue at hand.
• Efficient and detail oriented.
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to deliver lighting assignments per agreed upon specs and schedule.

APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

Modeling Artist (Fur/Groom) 

We are working with Sony Pictures Animation on the next installment of 

their OPEN SEASON franchise. Rainmaker is recruiting for Modeling Artists 

with fur/gooming experience to work on this direct-to-video animated 

adventure comedy.

Position Detail

Under the guidance of the Surfacing Supervisor, the Modeling Artist creates 

fur, hair and other organic elements for an array of characters with the 

goal of creating 3D models that support a project’s story based on its 

defined style.

PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Translates 2D designs into 3D objects.

Grooming hair and fur, using Rainmaker's proprietary software.

Painting colour, weight, length and polarity maps for hair and fur.

Create and manage curves to be used in hair grooms.

Performing generalist character and 3D work when required.

Collaborates with designers, riggers, surfacing artist, animators and 

technical directors in order to facilitate optimal shot production while 

adhering to the schedule and quota fulfillment.

Collaborates with surfacing artists to ensure models match aesthetic and 

creative requirements of the projects overall look.

Collaborates with animation team to ensure models are structured in such a 

way to achieve intended performance requirements.

Interprets and implements notes and feedback from Director(s) and/or 

supervisors in a timely and qualitatively acceptable way.

Adheres to digital file management protocols.

Interacts respectfully and professionally with colleagues, staff members 

and clients.

Additional duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

Degree and/or diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience is 

preferred. 

3+ years of experience working in a professional environment within their 

discipline.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Working knowledge of human and animal anatomy, physical motion, weight, balance and form.
• Proficiency in using Maya, Mudbox and ZBrush is required.
• Open to and encourages feedback and new initiatives.
• Solid work ethic and positive attitude. Ability to work under pressure. 
• Self-motivated and pro-active. Consistently strives to expand knowledge base.
• Efficient and detail oriented.
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Strong verbal and presentation skills with the ability to communicate ideas clearly.
• Practices attentive and active listening. Shares information, methodologies and ideas with others. 
• Incorporates feedback and direction received from the Director/Supervisor.
• Makes decisions in a timely manner. Accepts accountability for own actions.
• Ability to deliver work on time and meet set performance objectives.

APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

Senior Creature TD - Rigger 

Is your specialization the articulation of character animation?Are you part 

of the rhythm nation? Are you looking for a new sensation? Okay, enough 90s 

music reference. Let’s get back to the issue at hand: rigging. We are 

looking for a Senior Creature TD to join us here at Rainmaker! As a Senior 

Creature TD you will set up the articulation and deformation systems of 

characters, props and vehicles and present those fickle and lovely 

animators with systems that they can utilize to create animated magic. We 

need someone who is going to be hands on, jump right in and tackle any 

challenges. If you are interested, then you should apply!

 PRIMARY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• 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.
• In the case of motion capture production, he/she 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.
• Assists in the development of a creature pipeline for film and DVD 
• productions.
• Provides support and documentation for tools created.
• Ability to prioritize assignment completion per the production schedule.
• Provides mentoring as necessary.
• Interprets and implements notes and feedback from the Supervisor of Lead in 
• a timely and qualitatively acceptable way.
• Provides secondary technical support and training as needed.
• Provides training to new hires.
• Attends regular production and department meetings.
• Develops and maintains leading-edge proprietary tools/plugins/scripts.
• Interacts with commercial vendors with respect to technical issues 
• affecting proprietary tools, etc.
• Maintains contacts with academia/industry to keep current on new research 
• and recent developments.
• Completes assignments on schedule.  Prioritizes task completion in 
• coordination with production, technical animators and technical support 
• staff.
• Supports and integrates the values of Rainmaker that being a commitment to 
• innovation, creativity, professionalism and inspiration.
• Interacts respectfully and professionally with colleagues, other staff 
• members, partners and clients.
• Additional duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

• Degree and/or diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience is 
• required.
• Advanced degree in Computing Science, Mathematics, Physics or related 
• disciplines is an asset.
• DVD Production
• 3-5 years of experience working in a professional environment within their 
• discipline preferred however not required.
• Feature Film Production
• 5-7 years of experience working in a professional environment within their 
• discipline.
• Worked on 1-2 high-end, feature quality productions.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of geometry creation, weighting and skeleton rigging.
• Production knowledge of Maya, Python, MentalRay and MEL required.
• Thorough knowledge of UNIX/Linux, procedural and object-oriented 
• programming languages.
• Ability to create script in Python allowing for automation of specific 
• tasks.
• Strong artistic skills; demonstrable ability to make creative and aesthetic 
• judgment calls.
• Thorough knowledge of CG Feature Animation.
• Evaluates and recommends relevant external plugins/scripts.
• Ability to communicate and/or demonstrate ideas clearly and concisely both 
• verbally and visually.  Practices attentive and active listening.  
• Incorporates feedback and direction received from the Lead, Supervisor 
• and/or Studio CG Supervisor.
• Ability to mentor and train.  Open to and encourages feedback and new 
• initiatives.  Shares information and techniques with team members.
• Adaptable to change, he/she can alter course of action quickly per 
• production needs.  Solid work ethic and positive attitude.  Ability to work 
• under pressure.  Self-motivated and pro-active.  Consistently strives to 
• expand knowledge base.
• Makes decisions in a timely manner.  Accepts accountability for own 
• actions.  Creatively solves problems, eliminates road blocks and focuses on 
• issue at hand.
• Efficient and detail oriented.
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to work collaboratively.
• Ability to deliver work on time and meet set performance objectives 

APPLY FOR THIS POSITION