Lead Character Designer

Skydance offers a dynamic, inclusive, and ever-evolving culture where innovative ideas are welcomed, and growth fostered. The partnership between unique creativity and technological advancements are demonstrated within each pillar of the company. At the heart of it all is a commitment to boldly entertaining and relevant storytelling.

While all Animation studios look to hire people who are creative and hard-working, Skydance Animation is specifically looking for pioneers who seek to push the limits of what the world’s most collaborative art form can achieve, and to give those pioneers the space and the resources to build a new studio that’s doing something different.

If you’ve ever dreamt of what the early days of Hollywood must have been like, of what it takes to roll up your sleeves and break new ground, figure out a new process, and to one day say, “I was there when it all began,” then welcome aboardAs the Lead Character Designer, you will hold a key role in creating and maintaining the established aesthetic of the characters throughout the production process. You will follow the style and guidelines of the Production Designer and lead the other Character Designers in making sure that the entire team is working in one unified, appealing style.

**Responsibilities**:

- Interpret story and character descriptions to provide accurate and original designs
- Adapt designs depending on changes of concepts
- Deliver high quality work on time, with huge levels of autonomy and responsibility
- Work alongside the Costume Designer, providing 2D mannequins for costume draw-overs and incorporating approved attire into character concepts
- Supply detailed designs, poses, and expression packeting to prepare for 3D modeling
- Attend the handover to Character Modeling Supervisors for recreation of designs in 3D
- Regular communication and collaboration, over messaging or video conference, with Character
- Modeling Supervisors to ensure the artistic vision is carried through production
- Participate in character meetings, including reviews, launches, and downstream planning meetings
- Conduct 2D Artist Check-Ins as needed, making decisions when to show PD and Director for approvals
- Train junior character designers in design and anatomical fundamental draw-overs for the modeling department
- Provide guidance, support, and instruction to the character design team in areas that contribute towards their artistic and professional growth
- Act as a mentor, contributing to the individual and group achievements of the team
- Partner with production team to assess strengths and weaknesses of the character design team, helping to map out assignments
- Present and speak to the direction of overall character style in executive meetings; additional ad-hoc duties as required for these meetings (character line-ups, style presentations, etc)
- Follow the Director and Production Designer’s guidance

**Requirements**:

- 4+ years of professional experience in animation or VFX industries
- Strong creative and technical skills, with the ability to share them
- Understanding of human and animal anatomy and movement
- Highly skilled in expressing, transmitting, and presenting new ideas
- Strong work ethic

Skydance is a diversified media company founded by David Ellison in 2010 to create high quality, event-level entertainment for global audiences. The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across its feature film, television, interactive, and animation divisions.

Skydance is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to building and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. We welcome and consider applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy status, military/veteran status, disability, or any other protected category. Diversity in the workplace is not just a commitment, it is who we are and a reflection of what makes our world special.

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