Rigging TD (Contract)

Job ID 10101723 Location Vancouver, Canada Business Walt Disney Animation Studios Date posted Sep. 18, 2024

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"I didn't think it was possible that something I did for fun - telling sports stories through stats - could become my job until I came here."

Ana, Sr. Researcher, ESPN

Job Summary:

Walt Disney Animation Studios has an exciting opportunity for experienced Character TDs with an emphasis in Rigging to join the team at our Vancouver, BC studio. At Walt Disney Animation Studios, Character TDs work on Character Rigging, Simulation Setup, and Technical Animation. Our rigs are tactile, sculptural, intuitive interfaces for posing the character. Our ideal candidate is self-motivated with strong artistic skills built on top of a solid technical foundation. You will work closely with the industry's top talent in fields ranging from design and modeling through animation to bring our characters to life. This is a regular, full time, staff position that will be located at our Vancouver, BC studio. Please note that relocation eligibility may be determined based on role and individual circumstance.

Responsibilities:

Build an intuitive interface for posing a character that maintains appeal and design throughout its range of motion
Author clean deformations with hand sculpted shapes that perform with consistency and predictability
Shepard the rig build process, starting with geometry received from modeling all the way through delivering a final rig to animation which requires an ability to debug broken or poorly functioning assets/shots with minimal supervision
Work closely with the character teams (comprised of visual development, modeling, simulation, look development, animation, and technical animation), iterating quickly and addressing notes accurately
Contribute to our codebase in a way that others can build off of, taking input from peers and building tools around consensus

Requirements:

Solid understanding of the principles of animation and design
Extensive knowledge of anatomy, kinematics, and physical behaviors
Expertise in facial rigging that leans heavily on sculpting appealing shapes on top of a clean and stable deformation base
Attention to detail focused on delivering a quality product
Solid understanding of Python scripting
Experience on 5+ CG feature film productions
Experience working in collaborative environments and taking direction
Strong problem-solving ability
Comfort with Linux environments
Previous leadership experience is a plus
Experience in modeling, sculpting, and creating blendshapes are a plus
Experience in animation is a plus
Experience in hair or cloth simulation is a plus
Bachelor's degree in Art, Illustration, Computer Graphics, Engineering, related field or equivalent experience

The hiring range for this position in British Columbia, Canada is C$87,210 to C$145,420 per year. This hiring range covers candidates who are considered experienced to expert level. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits, may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.

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About Walt Disney Animation Studios:

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Disney Animation continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, from the first fully-animated feature film, 1937's “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” to the upcoming fall 2024 feature, “Moana 2.” Among the studio's timeless creations are “Pinocchio,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “Zootopia,” and “Encanto.”

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Animation Studios Vancouver Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Animation Studios.

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