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- Tasks: Create stunning cutscenes and animations that enhance storytelling in games.
- Company: Join Playground Games, a leading Xbox Game Studio known for innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, relocation assistance, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Be part of rebooting the beloved Fable franchise and make an impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in animation with a strong portfolio and passion for gaming.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we celebrate every voice.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Playground Games is looking for a Senior Cinematic Animator to join our talented Fable team here in Leamington Spa.
ABOUT US: As a first-party Xbox Game Studio, we are passionate about making genre-defining games that are accessible, beautiful, and, most of all, fun. We are excited to be rebooting the much-loved Fable franchise and are expanding our diverse team to create a new classic in the action RPG genre.
ABOUT THE ROLE: As a Senior Cinematics Animator, you'll work closely with our cinematics team to produce top-tier cutscenes and bespoke animation content. You will drive creative vision from previsualization through final polish, enhance narrative through cinematic storytelling, and ensure your animations are seamlessly integrated within our proprietary engine.
We’re looking for an expert animator who is passionate about storytelling, excels at conveying emotion through performance, and has a deep understanding of both facial and body performance. The ideal candidate has extensive experience with motion capture and hand-keyed animation, as well as familiarity with implementing cinematics in-engine. This is a contract position at our state-of-the-art facilities in Royal Leamington Spa, operating under a hybrid work model. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
- Capture, solve, retarget, and polish both facial and full-body mocap data for cutscenes, ensuring high-quality, believable performances.
- Iterate rapidly on cinematic layout to enhance visual storytelling, refine pacing, and support narrative impact.
- Work closely with the Lead, Director, and cinematic team to incorporate feedback and align animations with the overall creative vision.
- Implement cinematics into our proprietary engine, ensuring seamless integration with gameplay and overall flow.
WHAT YOU'LL BRING:
- Impressive animation portfolio showcasing high-quality, realistic facial and body animations across multiple projects, ideally from AAA titles. A link to the portfolio website or an attachment with your CV is acceptable.
- Five or more years in animation, with a proven track record on at least two published titles.
- Proficient in body, facial and camera animation, motion capture clean-up and industry-standard animation software.
- A genuine enthusiasm for video games, narrative, and the creative process.
- Experience in cinematography, editing, or game engine implementation is highly desirable and will set you apart.
This is a fantastic opportunity to make world-class games with an established, talented, and collaborative team at one of the industry’s most exciting first-party game studios.
Playground Games is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity and inclusion fuels creativity. We are dedicated to creating a safe, comfortable and welcoming working environment. We strive to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices of our team members. It drives our innovation and connects us closer to our players. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion across age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
At Playground Games we recognise the importance of self-development, career progression, well-being and retention of our colleagues. We celebrate difference and welcome everyone to join us and to be themselves at work.
If you require any reasonable accommodation to apply for this position, please contact us on recruitment@playground-games.com
Senior Cinematic Animator - Contract in Royal Leamington Spa employer: Playground Games Limited
Contact Detail:
Playground Games Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cinematic Animator - Contract in Royal Leamington Spa
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best work, especially those high-quality animations that really tell a story. We want to see your creativity shine through, so pick pieces that highlight your skills in both facial and body performance.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow animators and industry professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Join relevant groups and engage in discussions. We all know that sometimes it's not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your storytelling skills. Be ready to discuss how your animations enhance narrative and emotional impact. We love hearing about your creative process, so think of examples where you've made a difference in a project!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to be part of our diverse team at Playground Games. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cinematic Animator - Contract in Royal Leamington Spa
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Best Work: Make sure your animation portfolio is top-notch! Highlight your best projects, especially those that demonstrate your skills in facial and body animations. A strong portfolio can really set you apart from the crowd.
Tailor Your CV: When applying, tweak your CV to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Senior Cinematic Animator role. Use keywords from the job description to make it clear that you're a perfect fit for the team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Don’t skip the cover letter! Use it to express your passion for storytelling and video games. Share why you’re excited about the Fable franchise and how your experience can contribute to the team’s creative vision.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our talented team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Playground Games Limited
✨Showcase Your Animation Portfolio
Make sure to have your animation portfolio ready and easily accessible. Highlight your best work, especially projects that demonstrate your skills in facial and body animations. Tailor your portfolio to include examples that align with the cinematic storytelling style of Playground Games.
✨Understand the Creative Vision
Before the interview, research Playground Games and their approach to storytelling in games. Familiarise yourself with the Fable franchise and think about how your animation style can enhance their narrative. This will show your genuine interest and help you align your answers with their creative goals.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about your experience with motion capture and in-engine implementation. Brush up on industry-standard software and be ready to discuss your process for cleaning up mocap data. Being able to articulate your technical skills will demonstrate your expertise and confidence.
✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since you'll be working closely with a team, be prepared to discuss your collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you've incorporated feedback from leads or directors in past projects. Highlighting your ability to work well within a team will resonate with Playground Games' emphasis on collaboration.
