Animator

About the Company:

AGBO is an artist-led Academy Award-Winning independent studio focused on developing and producing innovative story universes spanning film, TV, and digital platforms. Founded in 2017 by award-winning and record-breaking directors Anthony and Joe Russo, AGBO’s mission is to inspire and advance the next generation of storytelling to entertain and influence worldwide audiences. AGBOs recent productions include “Everything Everywhere All At Once”, Amazon series “Citadel”, Netflix’s “The Gray Man”, “Extraction”, “Extraction 2”, and “The Electric State”.

About the Position:
AGBO is seeking a talented Animator to join our Visual Effects (VFX) team. The Animator is responsible for designing and creating the motion of computer graphics characters. This role will help lead the development of animation assets to support the execution of the overall production's creative vision.

This is an Expression of Interest role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Show exceptional understanding of facial animation, acting, appeal, entertainment, weight, locomotion, anatomy, and dialogue.
• Create high-quality, keyframe Character Animation.
• Develop the timing and pace of the movement of characters or objects during the sequence of images.
• Manage shot/sequence responsibilities within deadlines to ensure the client’s requirements and VC’s standard are met.
• Edit Motion Capture data to blend detailed character movement/facial with keyframe skills.
• Work with the Lead Animator and other team members to help evolve our tools and pipeline.
• Maintain the visual continuity, quality, and performance across characters as set by the Director and Leads.
• Work closely with technical animation and other stakeholders to develop and improve animation pipelines.
• Collaborate with the Director, Leads, and other artists on the team to create a cohesive vision for animation assignments.

Qualifications & Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in feature-style projects or video game cinematics.
• At least 5 years of experience in Maya, MotionBuilder.
• Understanding of the animation pipeline and processes involved from concept to implementation.
• Strong posing and storytelling skills.
• Excellent understanding of facial animation, anatomy, and caricature.
• Strong Camera, Character Animation, and Motion Capture editing skills.
• Proficient in animating stylized character animation.
• Strong communication skills in client-facing situations, including but not limited to, email, database.
• Skills in one or more related disciplines - illustration, modeling, rigging, exploring new rigs, VFX, or technical art.
• Experience working with Motion Capture data and editing it.
• Experience with hand key facial animation and tools.
• Experience structuring & maintaining animation processes such as rigging, or prototyping.
• Character Performance experience.
• Effectively tell the story in a meaningful way through vivid and compelling character acting and movement.
• Plan shots with an understanding of story/character context.
• Develop a working knowledge of necessary production tools.
• Ability to solve technical issues independently and/ or knowledge of when to elevate them.
• Maintain an open and professional demeanor regarding direction, changes and shifting requirements.
• Strong communication skills - able to anticipate any delays to schedule and communicate those issues as soon as possible.
• Resume and portfolio reel demonstrating relevant animation skills required.
• Experience in projects that leverage Unreal for animation integration greatly desired.

Additional Information:

• This is a temporary position with the possibility of extension based on project needs.
• This is an Expression of Interest role. You will be contacted once an opportunity becomes available.
• Remote candidates may be considered; however, preference will be given to those who can work in Los Angeles.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship.
• Please submit a portfolio or demo reel for consideration.

AGBO Labs, LLC is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We aim to recruit the right people for the jobs we have to offer, and to assess applications on the basis of relevant skills, education and experience.

The job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent to this position.