Senior Animator – Temp (SFD / Cinematics) Job at Blizzard Entertainment in Irvin

Overview

Senior Animator – Temp (SFD / Cinematics) at Blizzard Entertainment. This is a roughly 2-month temporary position with hybrid work (some on-site, some from home). Home studio is Irvine, CA, with options to explore other arrangements as needed.

Responsibilities

• Animate characters to Blizzard Entertainment's high-quality cinematic standard.
• Work with Directors, Animation Supervisors and Leads to develop, define, and maintain high-end cinematic animations.
• Contribute to a highly collaborative Cinematics team focused on making films and games with exceptional animation.
• Adapt animation styles across a range from cartoony to realistic, applying strong body mechanics and character acting.
• Apply mastery of the 12 principles of animation in storytelling through motion capture, keyframe, and timing decisions where appropriate.

Experience & Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in game development, television, or film industry using Maya or an equivalent 3D program.
• Experience collaborating with Directors, Animation Supervisors and Leads to develop and maintain high-end cinematic animations.
• This role requires ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.

Knowledge & Skills

• A demo reel demonstrating high-quality hand-keyed animations with solid body mechanics and engaging performances.
• A solid grasp of body mechanics and character acting with a mastery of the 12 principles of animation.

Key Attributes

• Passion for film, animation, and video games.
• Self-motivation, good communication skills, and a strong team-player attitude.
• Ability to assist in supporting and evolving the Cinematics team with constructive feedback, both technically and artistically.

Extra Points

• Artistic skills: storyboarding, gesture drawing, 2D animation, composition.
• Technical skills: rigging, scripting, and understanding of pipeline.
• Physical skills: acting, martial arts, and choreography.
• Film making skills: cinematography, pre-visualization, editing, and story writing.
• Understanding of FX, particles, cloth, and hair as they contribute to a character’s performance in 2D and 3D animation.

Platform & Benefits

Blizzard Entertainment provides a suite of benefits promoting physical, emotional and financial well-being for “Every World.” These benefits include:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance.
• 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching.
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassionate and bereavement leaves, parental leave.
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and additional voluntary benefits.
• Relocation assistance where required by the role.

Eligibility to participate in benefits may vary for part-time and temporary employees. For more information, visit the benefits page linked by the company.

Salary & Location

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $38.85 - $71.83 hourly. Final offer depends on experience, performance, and location. Compensation may include incentive pay. Location is Irvine, CA, with hybrid work options.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Temporary