Head of Effects job

subject: Head of Effects , LAIKA, Inc.

LAIKA, Inc. is looking for Head of Effects
duration - Full-Time

Job details:

LAIKA/entertainment is seeking
a Head of Effects.

 

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 on these positions, go to:

http://apps.laika.com/jobs/detail/225

 

LAIKA/entertainment

 

Building on its roots as
Vinton Studios, LAIKA is expanding its palette of work, spurred on by the
vision and investment of owner, NIKE co-founder and Chairman Phil Knight.

 

In addition to Coraline, to
be released by Focus Features in the Fall of 2008, LAIKA/entertainment is
currently in development on several new projects, including Alan Snow’s “Here
be Monsters”, “The Wall And The Wing” and “Jack & Ben”.

 

All this taking place in Portland, OR,
a city known for its quality of life. A 5,000-acre park’s within city limits.
The world’s largest independent bookstore, Microbreweries, restaurants and
coffee shops on every other corner, the absence of a sales tax and someone
always there to pump your gas.

 

For more information on LAIKA, please go to www.laika.com

Location: Portland, Oregon, United States
_________________
CG jobs


3d modeling jobs