Cinematic Animator
EA SPORTS, Orlando, FL, United States
Overview
Electronic Arts creates next-level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story, part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.
Job Description As a Cinematic Animator II, you will craft high-quality character performances for story-driven and presentation moments. You will own animation work from pre‑vis through final implementation, blending keyframe animation and motion capture to deliver emotionally engaging and visually polished sequences.
You will collaborate closely with the Cinematics Director, as well as designers, engineers, and technical artists, to ensure seamless integration between gameplay and cinematic experiences.
Please note this is not a remote position – applicants must be available to work hybrid 3x per week from either our Orlando, FL or Vancouver, B.C studio.
Your Responsibilities
Own cinematic animation features from mocap planning through final in‑engine implementation
Create high‑quality keyframed character performances, including interaction with props and environments
Work with motion capture data, including planning, directing sessions, and refining performances
Ensure seamless transitions between gameplay and cinematic moments
Animate and stage cameras to support cinematic storytelling, composition, and emotional tone
Collaborate cross‑functionally with design, engineering, and technical art to deliver features end‑to‑end
Partner with the Cinematics Director to align animations with narrative vision and tone
Identify and resolve animation bugs and technical issues
Provide timely updates on progress, risks, and dependencies to production and stakeholders
Provide feedback and guidance to junior animators
Collaborate with technical artists to improve rigs, tools, and workflows
Your Qualifications
3+ years of experience in game animation or related field
Strong portfolio/reel demonstrating cinematic performance and storytelling
Proficiency in Maya and/or MotionBuilder
Experience with keyframe animation and motion capture workflows
Understanding of cinematography, camera animation, and visual storytelling principles
Experience taking work from pre‑vis/blocking through final polish
Strong problem‑solving, collaboration, and communication skills
Experience working within game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine), including cinematic implementation (e.g., Sequencer)
Beneficial Qualifications
Experience with facial animation and advanced facial rigs
Experience planning or directing motion capture shoots
Familiarity with production tools (Shotgrid, Jira, Slack, etc.)
Experience contributing to a shipped game title
Experience or familiarity with AI‑assisted animation tools or workflows
Passion for sports and sports storytelling
Pay Transparency - North America Compensation And Benefits The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g., education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).
British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) $91,100 – $126,900 CAD
Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA. For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top‑up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full‑time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.
Equal Employment Opportunity Electronic Arts is an equal‑opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment‑qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.
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Job Description As a Cinematic Animator II, you will craft high-quality character performances for story-driven and presentation moments. You will own animation work from pre‑vis through final implementation, blending keyframe animation and motion capture to deliver emotionally engaging and visually polished sequences.
You will collaborate closely with the Cinematics Director, as well as designers, engineers, and technical artists, to ensure seamless integration between gameplay and cinematic experiences.
Please note this is not a remote position – applicants must be available to work hybrid 3x per week from either our Orlando, FL or Vancouver, B.C studio.
Your Responsibilities
Own cinematic animation features from mocap planning through final in‑engine implementation
Create high‑quality keyframed character performances, including interaction with props and environments
Work with motion capture data, including planning, directing sessions, and refining performances
Ensure seamless transitions between gameplay and cinematic moments
Animate and stage cameras to support cinematic storytelling, composition, and emotional tone
Collaborate cross‑functionally with design, engineering, and technical art to deliver features end‑to‑end
Partner with the Cinematics Director to align animations with narrative vision and tone
Identify and resolve animation bugs and technical issues
Provide timely updates on progress, risks, and dependencies to production and stakeholders
Provide feedback and guidance to junior animators
Collaborate with technical artists to improve rigs, tools, and workflows
Your Qualifications
3+ years of experience in game animation or related field
Strong portfolio/reel demonstrating cinematic performance and storytelling
Proficiency in Maya and/or MotionBuilder
Experience with keyframe animation and motion capture workflows
Understanding of cinematography, camera animation, and visual storytelling principles
Experience taking work from pre‑vis/blocking through final polish
Strong problem‑solving, collaboration, and communication skills
Experience working within game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine), including cinematic implementation (e.g., Sequencer)
Beneficial Qualifications
Experience with facial animation and advanced facial rigs
Experience planning or directing motion capture shoots
Familiarity with production tools (Shotgrid, Jira, Slack, etc.)
Experience contributing to a shipped game title
Experience or familiarity with AI‑assisted animation tools or workflows
Passion for sports and sports storytelling
Pay Transparency - North America Compensation And Benefits The ranges listed below are what EA in good faith expects to pay applicants for this role in these locations at the time of this posting. If you reside in a different location, a recruiter will advise on the applicable range and benefits. Pay offered will be determined based on a number of relevant business and candidate factors (e.g., education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, or business needs).
British Columbia (depending on location e.g. Vancouver vs. Victoria) $91,100 – $126,900 CAD
Pay is just one part of the overall compensation at EA. For Canada, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top‑up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full‑time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.
Equal Employment Opportunity Electronic Arts is an equal‑opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment‑qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.
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