At a Glance
- 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 ÂŁ 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 handâkeyed animation, as well as familiarity with implementing cinematics inâengine.
This is a contract position at our stateâofâtheâart 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 fullâbody mocap data for cutscenes, ensuring highâquality, 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 highâquality, 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 cleanâup and industryâstandard 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 worldâclass games with an established, talented, and collaborative team at one of the industry's most exciting firstâparty 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 selfâdevelopment, career progression, wellâbeing 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 London employer: PLAYGROUND GAMES LTD
Contact Detail:
PLAYGROUND GAMES LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Senior Cinematic Animator - Contract in London
â¨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.
â¨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow animators, attend industry events, or join online forums. We canât stress enough how important connections are in this field. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or collaborations!
â¨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! When you get that interview, be ready to talk about your creative vision and how you approach storytelling through animation. We want to hear how you can contribute to our team and the Fable franchise, so make it personal and engaging.
â¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows youâre genuinely interested in joining our team at Playground Games. Donât miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cinematic Animator - Contract in London
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Showcase Your Best Work: Make sure your animation portfolio is top-notch! Include high-quality examples of your facial and body animations, especially from AAA titles. A link to your portfolio or an attachment with your CV will help us see your skills in action.
Tailor Your Application: When applying, donât just send a generic CV. Tailor it to highlight your experience with cinematic storytelling and motion capture. We want to see how your background aligns with the role and our creative vision!
Be Passionate: Let your enthusiasm for video games and storytelling shine through in your application. Share what excites you about the Fable franchise and how you can contribute to making it a classic. We love seeing genuine passion!
Apply Through Our Website: Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youâre considered for this exciting opportunity. We canât wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at PLAYGROUND GAMES LTD
â¨Showcase Your Animation Portfolio
Make sure to have your animation portfolio ready and easily accessible. Highlight your best work, especially projects that demonstrate high-quality facial and body animations. Tailor your portfolio to include examples that align with the cinematic storytelling style of Playground Games.
â¨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 vision.
â¨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about your experience with motion capture and hand-keyed animation. Be ready to discuss specific techniques you've used in past projects, as well as your familiarity with implementing cinematics in-game engines. This will demonstrate your technical expertise and problem-solving skills.
â¨Emphasise Collaboration Skills
Since you'll be working closely with a team, highlight your ability to incorporate feedback and collaborate effectively. Share examples from your previous roles where you successfully worked with directors or leads to refine animations. This will show that you're a team player who values input and strives for excellence.