Freelance 3D Animator

PitStop Productions are looking for a highly motivated 3D Animator to join their growing team of creatives and support their in-house visual effects team, Penelope VFX in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

This exciting opportunity would suit a talented creative who is dedicated to pursuing a career in the games, animation and wider creative industries and wants the chance to work as part of a diverse, caring, and growing team on a range of exciting new projects, including indie and AAA games.

Why Work for PitStop?

• We are an independent audio and visual production team running multiple projects worldwide.
• Over the past 25+ years, we have grown our reputation and team, making us renowned for delivering reliably highquality work.
• We are on an exciting business growth journey
• We have a friendly and supportive team, who have built up a culture of really

- looking out for each other

• We encourage collaborative working and sharing of skill sets across all levels.

3D Animator

• Provide 3D animation support to current and future projects within the Penelope VFX team, working with other creatives across multiple disciplines to meet the project vision.
• Create 3D media content for use in animation and game engine platforms.
• Work within Unreal Engine using existing animation, gameplay, audio and other bespoke blueprint systems to fulfil the game direction and enhance the gameplay experience.
• Coordinate workloads both independently and within a wider team by prioritising tasks and working within time constraints to meet set deadlines.
• Problem solve and devise creative solutions to complex challenges that can arise within the 3D creation pipeline, optimisation and integration into engine.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues in collaboration with external creative and development teams, while maintaining excellent standards of communication.
• Assist the wider department by offering specialist support to other teams with relevant project requirements.
• Continue to develop current skill sets and show willingness to widen creative skills and knowledge as needed to support the Penelope VFX team and other internal departments.

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Strong portfolio of animation examples showcasing understanding of principles of animation.
• Proficient with at least one industry standard 3D animation software including Maya or Blender, preferably both.
• A good understanding of Unreal Engine 5 including level design and scene establishment, lighting, rendering and cameras, rigging, animation and blueprints.
• Experience with key frame animation and working with motion capture data.
• Ability to rig and animate basic character models in Maya or Blender, with knowledge of optimisation and transition to Game Engines such as Unreal Engine
• Proficient with the Adobe CC suite including Photoshop, Premiere Pro, After Effects and Illustrator.
• Experience with practical and computergenerated visual effects processes and systems.
• Adaptability and eagerness to learn new software, processes, tools and techniques relating to 3D Design and Game Development.

Desirable:

• Strong portfolio of other CGI work including but limited to sculpting, modelling, texturing, lightning.
• Knowledge and experience with camera animation and cinematography.
• Advanced rigging skills in a relevant 3D software.
• Video editing and graphic design skills using Adobe CC suite.
• Traditional artistic talent with proven ability to produce concept and illustrative content.
• Ability to create storyboards and animation that clearly showcase the direction of animation.
• Knowledge of Unreal Engine 5 systems including Metahumans and Niagara.
• Understanding and experience with version control software including Perforce and Github.
• Hold a relevant creative degree in a related animation, visual effects or game art discipline or can demonstrate equivalent experience through creative portfolio.

Details:

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Working pattern: 9.30am - 6pm (including unpaid hour for lunch)

Contract length:
Short term - 6 weeks freelance opportunity.

Start Date: 3rd June 2024

£90 per day starting rate plus a £5 travel supplement for every worked day.

Location:
Dodworth, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Please ensure you are willing to commute or in order to attend the office.

We're an equal opportunities workplace.

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.

Job Types:
Full-time, Freelance

Pay:
£90.00 per day

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Barnsley, S75 3TZ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Education:

• Bachelor's (preferred)

Work Location:
In person

Application deadline: 30/05/2024

Reference ID: 3D Animator

Expected start date: 03/06/2024

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