Boulder Media Hiring 2D Head Animator

Boulder Media is on the lookout for a 2D Head Animator. It is a full-time, specified-purpose role with hybrid working arrangements (i.e., remote and in-studio working). The successful candidate will be available to start in April 2025 and is required to be based in Ireland. The closing date for the applications is the 18th February 2025.

About the role

As a Head Animator, you will work closely with the Animation Director and the Rigging Lead to test rigs, create stock animation and master controllers. Reuse and ensure the planning and standard of animation used throughout any show are of the highest standard. You will also take on bespoke and higher-end animation to set the standard for the rest of the team.

Skills & Other Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Attend creative, production and management meetings as/when required;
• Attain an understanding of the style and expectations of the show by following the guidance and instructions provided by the production team and Animation Director;
• Assist the Animation Director and the Rigging Lead with rig testing;
• Keep the animation stock tracker up to date and filled in correctly;
• Maintain and template animation reuse library;
• Communicate with the production team, letting them know if any stock needs to be sent out to the offsite animation team;
• Communicate to the animation team, letting them know what stock will be available for their episodes;
• Fill in character breakdown if required and leave notes to help the Rigging department;
• Pose out special poses sent by the client if required;
• Create stock animation reuse for tradigital and envelope rigs;
• Create rough animation or help out with special character poses as required;
• Template stock animation and poses from completed episodes;
• Work together with Animation Directors and try to find solutions for any issues that will help make the show run smoother;
• Export final masters or reuse what you have created to Ftrack for the Animation Director’s final approval;
• Test any props if they feature heavily within an episode so they are fit for purpose;
• Build master controllers and pose copiers;
• Submit animation to the standard required by the show;
• Ensure any concerns or questions in relation to the rig, scenes and deadlines are communicated in a clear and timely manner to your Animation Director/ Team Lead;
• Ensure your assignments, scenes, and retakes are in line to meet the required production schedules;
• Keep up to date with the latest Toonboom techniques while continuously developing your drawing skills and strive to improve those skills with tutorials, life drawing, sketching and general animation research.

Day-To-Day Responsibilities

• Ensure all animatics provided by the Production Team are reviewed before starting a scene;
• Check all episodic materials are available before starting your assignment to ensure completion of daily/weekly tasks;
• Ensure that the daily planners are accurate and saved in the right location as soon as your assignment has been delivered to you by the Production Team;
• Review your assignment, look out for hook-ups, reuse, and stock essentials;
• Analyse the brief provided by Animation Director/Team Lead and clarify any questions or concerns you may have prior to starting your assignment;
• Refer to the notes and guidance provided by the Production Team to understand the intent of any given scene;
• Communicate any problems that may arise as early as possible with your Animation Director/Team Lead;
• Create a rough plan of how you are going to approach your scene with show level and style of animation requirements in mind;
• Use the libraries, reuse, special poses, expression sheet, size relation charts and any reference material to help you work through your scenes;
• Use reference (mirror, photo, stock images) for posing to make sure your resulting animation is clear and readable;
• Do roughs to get a baseline idea of how the shot will play out;
• Key out the characters, keeping them on model using good silhouettes and lines of action;
• Ensure the produced animation is well-timed and has variety, contrast, and personality;
• Check your work for scene length, quality control issues, model, or technical mistakes;
• Follow naming conventions, keep work tidy and within the asset manager’s guidelines both on the server and Ftrack;
• Follow all guidelines issued by the Pipeline team with regard to workflow;
• As part of your continuous development, you are expected to keep up to date with the latest initiatives and developments in your area of expertise for the role, such as (but not limited to) training, learning and development initiatives and mentoring;
• Any other duties company management may from time to time deem necessary and reasonably require.

What Boulder are looking for?

• A solid knowledge of 2D animation is essential;
• A solid understanding of the rigging process and master controllers;
• A good understanding of the animation principles;
• Great aptitude for drawing, animation, and observation;
• Ability to work in a team;
• Good time management skills and an ability to work to deadlines;
• Must be flexible, willing to learn and self-motivated;
• Be able to work within a weekly quota and production schedule;
• Must have good interpersonal skills;
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written.

What do Boulder offer?

• Competitive salary, depending on skills and experience.
• 21 days holidays per annum (pro rata).
• An extra day off for Good Friday each year.
• Time off for Christmas.
• Paid sick leave.
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity package.
• Death-In-Service Benefit.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Vision/Eye Care.
• Temporary Remote Work Abroad.
• Various in-house social events such as Cake & Fruit Day, Screening nights, Games nights, to name a few.