Description
The Head of Effects is the guiding voice and tie-breaking vote for all Effects animation processes and performance in the LAIKA Studio. This person aligns the creative and production management efforts to recruit, form, grow, and lead the Effects Department in the LAIKA Studio. This person has a comprehensive understanding of, and extensive experience in Stop Motion and/or CG animated effects in production.
This role works with creative and technical leadership of all the various shows to develop the studio’s different effects styles and approaches to effects animation. Use of organic and natural phenomena shapes and behaviors through particle systems and controllable simulations is essential.
The Head of Effects works in concert with the Head of production, other Department Heads, and creative and production management to conceptualize, identify, estimate, schedule, monitor, and oversee the studio’s effects animation for Production as well as New Project Development. This Person ensures that all effects animation on all projects is of the highest quality possible, while remaining within budget and on schedule.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- * Participate actively in the recruiting, hiring, training, casting, performance, and evaluation processes for the Effects Animation Department.
* Help create and implement inter- and intra-departmental process improvements starting with a clear definition of Receivables and Deliverables moving in and out of the Effects Department.
* Provide leadership for the Effects animation team, including education, facilitating continued development through seminars and lectures, management of reference library, and mentoring for effects animators.
* Communicate priorities, issues, and pertinent information effectively up, down, and across the Effects Department.
* Provide information to the Head of Production and other Department Heads on developments, concerns, and potential problems within the department.
* Work to unify, inspire, and motivate the Effects animation team; actively pursue team-building opportunities and foster communication within the department across all shows and all projects.
* Monitor equipment and staffing needs, identify problem areas, and recommend improvements, utilizing I.T. and TD help from Technology as well as HR from Corporate LAIKA.
* Identify and resolve personnel issues; manage and proactively resolve Effects animator relations issues as they arise, partnering with Production Management and Human Resources; administer performance reviews and daily-weekly-monthly personnel feedback for the Animation Department.
* Foster individual career development and overall group direction.
* Assist in the design and implementation of the effects animation production pipeline, utilizing Software Development, I.T., and TD help from Technology.
* Work early with the Modeling and Rigging Departments to ensure their products are suitable for effects animators’ needs for control, functionality, usability, and performance.
* Work with R&D leadership for the continued development of all effects animation tools.
* Assist in bids, breakdowns, and defining production quotas and schedules by working with Effects Leads and the Production Management on each various project in the Laika Studio.
* Assist in the tracking, improved productivity, and creative excellence within the Effects Department.
* Work closely with creative leadership and production management to achieve artistic goals within budgetary limits and arbitrate sensitively between creative desires and production requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
* Extensive visual and technical experience in and mastery of environmental and character effects
* Extensive experience in Stop-Motion and/or CG effects animation techniques, covering a diverse range of productions, including commercials, music videos, television, and feature films.
* Passion for feature animated stories.
* Previous supervisory or leadership role with artists and technical people, working in conjunction with Production Management people.
* Creative background with good artistic eye.
* Ability to communicate accurately, tactfully, conveying competency, helpfulness and support.
* Completion of degree program or working equivalent.
For more information visit: http://apps.laika.com/jobs/detail/225 [apps.laika.com]