Animation Director

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and visionary "3d Animation Director" to lead our creative teams and shape the future of our animation projects. This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned professional to guide our artistic vision, manage all aspects of animation production, and mentor a talented group of animators. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years to maximum 15 years of experience in the 3d animation industry, a strong portfolio showcasing a variety of styles, and a passion for storytelling.

You will be the creative heartbeat of our animation department, responsible for ensuring the highest quality of animation from concept to completion. You will work closely with producers, writers, and artists to translate scripts and storyboards into compelling visual narratives. Your leadership will be crucial in maintaining a cohesive style, meeting deadlines, and fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Responsibilities

* Lead and mentor a team of animators, providing constructive feedback and artistic direction.

* Oversee all stages of the animation pipeline, including pre-production, production, and post-production.

* Develop and maintain the artistic vision and style for all animation projects.

* Collaborate with the creative and production teams to ensure project goals and deadlines are met.

* Review and approve animation work, ensuring quality and consistency.

* Stay up-to-date with industry trends, techniques, and software to maintain a competitive edge.

* Manage the animation budget and resources effectively.

Requirements

* At least 5 years to maximum 15 Years of experience in the animation industry, with a proven track record as an Animation Director or a similar leadership role.

* A strong portfolio demonstrating exceptional artistic and technical skills across various animation styles.

* Expertise in industry-standard software (e.g., Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, Maya, Blender).

* Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

* Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

* A deep understanding of animation principles, character performance, and visual storytelling.

Nature of Work

The Animation Director's role is a blend of creative leadership, technical expertise, and project management. This is a hands-on position, and you will be actively involved in every stage of the animation process.

Creative Direction:- You will be the primary artistic voice, defining the visual style and tone of our projects. You'll work on everything from initial concept art and character design to final color grading and visual effects. Your eye for detail and storytelling will ensure every frame contributes to a compelling narrative.

Team Leadership:- You will guide and inspire our animation team. This includes providing detailed critiques, leading daily stand-ups, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. Your role is to elevate the skills of your team members and help them reach their full potential.

Production Oversight:- You'll be responsible for the smooth operation of the animation pipeline. This involves managing timelines, allocating resources, and troubleshooting technical issues. You will be the bridge between the creative team and the production team, ensuring that artistic goals are met within budget and on schedule.

Collaboration:- You will be a key collaborator, working closely with writers to translate scripts, with producers to manage budgets and schedules, and with clients to ensure their vision is realized. Your ability to communicate clearly and effectively will be essential for success.

Office Location: Goregaon West - Mumbai

Work Experience: 5 to 15 Years

Skillset: -

Technical Skills

• Software Proficiency: Deep expertise in industry-standard 3D animation software is non-negotiable. This includes Autodesk Maya, Blender, Cinema 4D, and ZBrush. Experience with rendering engines like Arnold or Redshift is also a plus.
• Animation Principles: A masterful understanding of the 12 principles of animation (e.g., squash and stretch, anticipation, timing, and arcs) is fundamental. This knowledge is what enables a director to create believable and engaging character performances.
• 3D Pipeline Knowledge: A director must understand every stage of the 3D production pipeline, including modeling, rigging, texturing, lighting, and rendering. This knowledge is crucial for troubleshooting issues, optimizing workflows, and giving precise feedback to different teams.
• Motion Capture and Rigging: Familiarity with motion capture technology and the principles of character rigging is highly valued. This helps in directing character performances and collaborating with rigging artists to ensure characters are animatable.

Artistic Skills

• Visual Storytelling: The ability to translate a script or storyboard into a compelling visual narrative is at the core of the role. This includes a keen eye for composition, camera angles, and cinematic design.
• Drawing and Sketching: Strong traditional drawing skills are essential for storyboarding, character design, and quickly communicating ideas to the team. A director often sketches out key poses or actions to guide animators.
• Anatomy and Acting: A deep understanding of human and animal anatomy, as well as the principles of acting and performance, is vital for creating believable and emotionally resonant characters.
• Color Theory and Composition: A solid grasp of color theory, lighting, and composition ensures that the final product is not only technically sound but also aesthetically pleasing and emotionally impactful.

Soft Skills

• Leadership and Team Management: An Animation Director is the creative head of the department. They must be able to inspire, mentor, and manage a diverse team of artists, providing clear direction and constructive feedback while fostering a positive and collaborative environment.
• Communication: Excellent communication is key to articulating a creative vision to the team, collaborating with other departments (like production, sound, and VFX), and effectively managing client expectations.
• Attention to Detail: The devil is in the details in 3D animation. A director must have a meticulous eye for consistency, quality, and small imperfections that can affect the final output.
• Problem-Solving: Production issues, both creative and technical, are inevitable. A skilled director must be a proactive problem-solver, able to think on their feet and find efficient solutions to keep the project on track.

Salary: It will be decided as per your expertise and skillset (This will be discussed on teleconic conversation or on personal interview at our studio)

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Fresher, Internship, Freelance
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: ₹30,000.00 - ₹75,000.00 per month

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Goregaon West, Mumbai, Maharashtra: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Do you know AI? Are you pro with using AI in 3D Pipeline ?
• Are you from Mumbai or from Outside Mumbai Vicinity ?
• Are you looking for Full time job or Freelance only ?
• Which software you are best at ? 3Ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Houdini, Blender or any other ?
• Are you also veteran at theatre or Acting ? As Great Director must also understand the true emotions and act at respective Shots of FILM Development
• Are you falling into our mentioned Five to Fifteen Years Work Experience Category?
• Will you be able to work on TIGHT Deadlines ? And in Tighter Budget ?
• Are you Familiar with using AI in 3D process & Film Making? or You are Pro at Using AI ?
• Are you aware or good at using Blender ? Blender is our core software and its knowledge will be of utmost preference by our team

Work Location: In person