Senior Technical Character Artist -Santa Monica

Senior Technical Character Artist
JOB DESCRIPTION

The position of Technical Artist – Characters is expected to partner with the organization to:

1.Create and support Animation Control Interfaces for 3D characters. Including deformations and dynamics.
2.Author, maintain and implement new tools and techniques for the rigging department.
3.Research and develop new rigging tools, processes, and technologies for production of real-time game artwork.
4.Support the creative vision of our Game Directors and Art Directors, while balancing the visual quality with the technical constraints of the game engine.
5.Meets deadlines as assigned by production management.
6.Execute any and all other assigned duties to ensure the success of our Studio projects.

REQUIRED SKILLS – This section outlines skills necessary to perform the function. Examples of skill categories are:

·PEOPLE: Must have the necessary skills to work alongside a team of technical artists as well as engineering and production staff. Communication and Collaboration are key.

·PROCESS: Must be quick at solving problems, able to troubleshoot problems in the pipeline or art assets on an as needed basis. Have an understanding of anatomy, animation, 3D motion, and 3D topology.

·TECHNICAL: Must possess very strong technical skills in 3D computer graphics production. Expertise in Maya or equivalent 3D modeling software is required. Mel Scripting is required. Python highly advised. Must have a good eye for 3D graphics/functionality and approach the process art asset creation and implementation as an iterative process developing tools and pipelines that meet that workflow. BS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, 3D Graphic Art, or related field or equivalent experience.

·PLANNING/IMPLEMENTATION: Must be capable of analyzing the visual goals and breaking these goals down into prioritized tasks keeping in mind that the studio works in an iterative manner. Must provide regular status reports. Should show flexibility to accommodate changes in task priority or project needs.

·INDUSTRY: Must have experience in HD computer graphics. Should have hands-on art development experience in Character Rigging, Character modeling and or Character Animation, in at least one commercially released videogame. Experience with authoring tools such as Photoshop, ZBrush, Mudbox, Turtle, and Mental Ray. Programming experience considered a bonus (C/C++ Python)

1 year contract onsite in Santa Monica

·Please submit resumes to gamerecruiter@live.com