Modelers needed – Starz Animation is hiring in Toronto

21 04 2009

Starz Animation recently landed a Christmas special for a major U.S. Television network. Production has started and a number of modelers and riggers are needed right away.

In a few weeks time the company will be adding animators, lighters and other positions as the movie moves into those parts of production.

Anyone interested can apply online at www.starzanimation.com and go to the careers section where you will find an email address sat.jobs@starz.com

The company is hiring at all levels (junior to senior)





Senior Assistant Production Manager Needed – Animation 3D

15 12 2008

Starz Animation, Toronto, one of Canada’s largest 3D Animation Studios, is currently in pre-production on Miramax Film’s major animation movie, “Gnomeo and Juliet”. Directed by Kelly Asbury and with music and lyrics by legendary songwriting team ELTON JOHN & BERNIE TAUPIN, this animated feature will be released in 2011.

Position Description:

Senior Assistant Production Manager (APM)

Reports to Production Manager/Associate Producer

Job Duties:

Schedule and Workflow

Works with Production Managers and/or Associate Producer to meet overall production scheduling and budget requirements and helps to ensure the budget and scheduling are updated as changes are made to the film’s production flow and/ or staffing profile. Understands how changes may effect the budget, scheduling and overtime.

Looks ahead to ensure that weekly quotas, department milestones & inventory expectations are met. Strategizes with Department Lead, Senior Management and possibly other APMs to resolve any production and/or inventory issues.

Collaborates with Department Lead/Head to ensure the complexity of work is consistent with department budget and schedule. Strategizes with Department Lead and Senior Management on how to resolve any complexity overages.

Collaborates with Department Lead/Head to develop and manage workflow process.

Develops and manages internal department schedules and staffing requirements. Maintains list of critical assumptions and highlights any vulnerabilities.

Creates and maintains reports that clearly illustrate department and individual artist productivity.

Collaborates with Department Lead/Head to cast assignments and issue deadlines to artists.

Perform walk-arounds to check in with the crew.

Attends Director approvals and helps to drive this meeting.

Mentoring and Staffing

Primary production person within department. Supervises and mentors Production Coordinators and Production Assistants for that dept.

Ensures the department lead is following studio review process and delivering timely performance reviews and feedback.

Partners with Department Lead and Senior Management to manage conflict within the department and partners with Human Resources regarding disciplinary procedures. Documents conflicts and provides updates to Human Resources and Senior Management.

Supports and represents directives from the studio and/ or production leadership.

May assist Production Management with handling transitions.

May be involved in the interviewing and hiring process.

Morale and Communication

Responsible for maintaining crew morale.

Represents department in weekly production meetings. Reports department progress and discusses solutions to any issues impeding the department.

Partners with the Department Lead/Head to manage, motivate and create an environment conducive to achieving quotas and artistic achievements.

Experience Required:

A minimum of five to seven years in production.

CG Feature animation experience preferred.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Excel, Microsoft word a must.

About the Film

Gnomeo and Juliet — distributed by Miramax Films — is an animated picture directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2), produced by Baker Bloodworth, David Furnish, Steve Hamilton-Shaw and with songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Now in pre-production.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a resume indicating which position you are applying for to:

sat.jobs@starz.com

We thank everyone for their interest in advance, but given the high volume of response we will be unable to reply to everyone in person. No phone calls please.

Thank you.

About Starz Animation, Toronto

Starz Animation, Toronto, one of Canada’s leading 3D animation studio for breakthrough digital production. Starz Animation, Toronto has gained a reputation for its commitment to excellence in high-end digital animation. By utilizing proprietary software technology, Starz Animation, Toronto, continues to advance its character animation and continually raises the bar in CGI animation production by offering the most high-end technology and visual tools available including; Maya, Inferno, Fusion, Mental Ray, Syflex, Real Flow, and Qube on a variety of platforms. Our artists’ creative skills are showcased in an ever-expanding body of work in feature films, direct-to-video productions, prime time and children’s CG animated series.

As part of Starz Media, Starz Animation, Toronto, has partners in development, production, and distribution of entertainment: Starz Home Entertainment/Anchor Bay, Starz/Encore, Film Roman, Manga and Vongo. As such, Starz Animation, Toronto, has the capability to distribute its programming to consumers however and wherever they want to watch: in theatres, on DVDs, via cable or satellite, on broadcast stations and over the internet in both the domestic and international markets.





3D CG Senior Animator and Animators Needed – Animator Jobs

15 12 2008

Position Description: Senior Animator and Animators needed

Reports to Supervising Animator and Head of Animation

Position Description and Requirements:

Previous study of anatomy, perspective and composition.

Demonstrated expert knowledge of timing, acting, posing and lip-synch

Previous work should reflect a strong understanding of character personality, movement and storytelling.

Expert knowledge of Maya

Ability to meet tight deadlines

Demonstrated success at working at CG Feature level quotas and quality

Strong problem solving skills and ability to present solutions in order to meet quotas required

Clear communication style – open and responsive

Ability to work in a collaborative environment, taking direction from the Supervisor and feedback from Directors(s) as necessary.

Post graduate diploma in classical or 3D Animation

5+ years character animation on CG Feature Films

About the Film

Gnomeo and Juliet — distributed by Miramax Films — is an animated picture directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2), produced by Baker Bloodworth, David Furnish, Steve Hamilton-Shaw and with songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Now in pre-production.


If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a resume indicating which position you are applying for to:

sat.jobs@starz.com

We thank everyone for their interest in advance, but given the high volume of response we will be unable to reply to everyone in person. No phone calls please.

About Starz Animation, Toronto

Starz Animation, Toronto, one of Canada’s leading 3D animation studio for breakthrough digital production. Starz Animation, Toronto has gained a reputation for its commitment to excellence in high-end digital animation. By utilizing proprietary software technology, Starz Animation, Toronto, continues to advance its character animation and continually raises the bar in CGI animation production by offering the most high-end technology and visual tools available including; Maya, Inferno, Fusion, Mental Ray, Syflex, Real Flow, and Qube on a variety of platforms. Our artists’ creative skills are showcased in an ever-expanding body of work in feature films, direct-to-video productions, prime time and children’s CG animated series.

As part of Starz Media, Starz Animation, Toronto, has partners in development, production, and distribution of entertainment: Starz Home Entertainment/Anchor Bay, Starz/Encore, Film Roman, Manga and Vongo. As such, Starz Animation, Toronto, has the capability to distribute its programming to consumers however and wherever they want to watch: in theatres, on DVDs, via cable or satellite, on broadcast stations and over the internet in both the domestic and international markets.





15 12 2008

Starz Animation, Toronto, one of Canada’s largest 3D Animation Studios, is currently in pre-production on Miramax Film’s major animation movie, “Gnomeo and Juliet”. Directed by Kelly Asbury and with music and lyrics by legendary songwriting team ELTON JOHN & BERNIE TAUPIN, this animated feature will be released in 2011.

Position Description:Scene Prep Artist

Reports to Scene Prep Supervisor

Position Description and Requirements:

Scene Prep Artists provide production ready files for the flow through the pipeline to animation, lighting and FX.

Skill Set Overview:

  • Solid foundation in Maya
  • Mel scripting/batch scripting experience an asset but not required
  • Experience working in other areas of production especially lighting, & comp an asset
  • Ability to identify and resolve technical problems/issues as it pertains to continuity
  • Able to rapidly learn and assimilate new technologies
  • Must be able to respect schedules and artistic guidelines.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
  • Willingness to accept direction and be open to changes from animation supervisors
  • Ability to work cooperatively within a creative team environment
  • Must be detail oriented


If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a DVD demo reel of your best work and a resume indicating which position you are applying for to:

Recruiting

Starz Animation

230 Richmond Street East

Toronto, Ontario

M5A 1P4

www.starzmedia.com

You can also email online to sat.jobs@starz.com

Reel Guidelines:

Please be sure to clearly label your demo reel with your name, contact information and position applying for. Your reel must include a shot breakdown outlining your specific contribution, as well as the tools used.

Please do not send original materials with your submissions. We are unable to return media or artwork.

Please note: successful applicants must be Canadian citizens or possess landed immigrant status, or be legally entitled to work in Canada.

We thank everyone for their interest in advance, but given the high volume of response we will be unable to reply to everyone in person. No phone calls please.

Thank you.

About the Film

Gnomeo and Juliet — distributed by Miramax Films — is an animated picture directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2), produced by Baker Bloodworth, David Furnish, Steve Hamilton-Shaw and with songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Now in pre-production.


If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a resume indicating which position you are applying for to:

sat.jobs@starz.com

We thank everyone for their interest in advance, but given the high volume of response we will be unable to reply to everyone in person. No phone calls please.

Thank you.

About Starz Animation, Toronto

Starz Animation, Toronto, one of Canada’s leading 3D animation studio for breakthrough digital production. Starz Animation, Toronto has gained a reputation for its commitment to excellence in high-end digital animation. By utilizing proprietary software technology, Starz Animation, Toronto, continues to advance its character animation and continually raises the bar in CGI animation production by offering the most high-end technology and visual tools available including; Maya, Inferno, Fusion, Mental Ray, Syflex, Real Flow, and Qube on a variety of platforms. Our artists’ creative skills are showcased in an ever-expanding body of work in feature films, direct-to-video productions, prime time and children’s CG animated series.

As part of Starz Media, Starz Animation, Toronto, has partners in development, production, and distribution of entertainment: Starz Home Entertainment/Anchor Bay, Starz/Encore, Film Roman, Manga and Vongo. As such, Starz Animation, Toronto, has the capability to distribute its programming to consumers however and wherever they want to watch: in theatres, on DVDs, via cable or satellite, on broadcast stations and over the internet in both the domestic and international markets.





Gnomeo and Juliet – In production 2009

5 11 2008

Starz Animation has recently been working on an exciting new project with Miramax and Rocket Pictures. See some of the early news here at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0377981/

Kelly Asbury, director of oscar-nominated Shrek 2, has signed on to the project and the Starz team is very excited as the project moves forward. Departments are growing in their numbers to help produce the most exciting animated movie in Toronto.





Scene Prep & Character Finaling – Maya – Shane Acker’s 9

26 03 2008

Position: Character Finaler/Maya Generalist
For: Shane Acker’s “9″
Reports to Department Supervisor
Position Description and Requirements:

Support the creative performance in a shot with the appropriate technical requirements as follows:

  • Remove undesirable geometric penetrations, folds and creases from rigged assets.
  • Ensure that rigged assets are in contact with one another and their environment appropriately.
  • Ensure that rigged assets are prepared for FX simulations when required.
  • Ensure proper continuity of motion for the calculation of motion blur.

Experience Required:

  • Good artistic eye.
  • Detail oriented.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Good organization skills.
  • Technical aptitude.
  • Previous production experience or exceptional abilities in CGI.
  • Familiarity with skeletons.
  • Experience in Modeling
  • An understanding of the principles of animation.
  • Experience with Maya Deformers, Constraints, and Blend Shapes.
  • Thorough knowledge of Maya’s Graph Editor and connection editors (Hypergraph, Hypershade..)
  • Must be able to work in a collaborative environment, taking direction from the Sequence lead(s), Supervisor and feedback from Directors(s) as necessary.
  • Bonus: Ability to script in Mel and/or Python to fix recurring issues.
  • Bonus: Rendering experience with stand-alone packages (Mental Ray, Renderman etc…)

contact me at LanceLeFort’at’hotmail.com or Lance.LeFort’at’starz.com