Senior Cinematic Facial Animator (CONTRACT)

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?

Sony Interactive Entertainment isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we’re part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting-edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.

This is an 8-month contract. This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.

Insomniac Games is looking for a Senior Cinematics Facial Animator. In this role, the Senior Cinematics Facial Animator is responsible for creating high-quality in-game cinematic facial animation utilizing FACS based rigs that meet the visual and performance standards established by the Animation Director. This role includes integration of facial capture data into scene layouts and polish of facial performance through final implementation in the game engine.

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:  

• Develop high-quality cinematic facial animation content using both motion capture data and hand-key techniques with FACS based rigs, ensuring alignment with schedule and performance benchmarks.
• Collaborate closely with Animation Directors and Lead Animators to design cinematic facial performances that reflect the game's vision and adhere to its unique cinematography style.
• Contribute to setting and maintaining performance standards and working in tandem with other departments to ensure seamless integration of cinematics into the game engine.
• Troubleshoot technical issues with facial animation integration into engine.
• Refine and enhance character performances, focusing on facial animation, to create lifelike and engaging scenes.
• Participate actively in cinematic team feedback sessions, presenting work, and incorporating constructive critique.
• Demonstrate a strong grasp of animation and camera principles essential for crafting a realistic and immersive cinematic experience.
• Utilize project management tools such as Jira and Flow to effectively track progress and manage workload.
• Communicate efficiently with the Animation Director and Project Management to report on progress, addressing potential roadblocks to ensure timely delivery of tasks.
• Perform additional related responsibilities as assigned to support the animation team's goals and objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities, however this role mentors more junior artists.  

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. 

Reasoning Skills: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. 

Computer Skills: Advanced knowledge of Maya, Insomniac proprietary tools (preferred), and a knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. MotionBuilder and Adobe Premiere a plus. Knowledge of common state machine flow in any game engine a plus. 

At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location. 

Please note that the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision. Click here to learn more.

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

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Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond. 

Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.