Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from Santa Monica Studio
Job overview
The Narrative Animator role at Santa Monica Studio involves creating performance-driven narrative animations for a new game title, contributing to character and story development.
Responsibilities and impact
The animator will collaborate with directors, leads, designers, and programmers to develop and implement animation assets, balance style and technical needs, animate characters and creatures using keyframe and motion capture techniques, and improve animation workflows.
Experience and skills
Candidates need 1-3 years of industry experience, proficiency in Maya, strong animation fundamentals, and the ability to work with motion capture data; AAA experience and knowledge of MotionBuilder are preferred.
Work environment and culture
The role emphasizes collaboration within a creative, team-oriented environment focused on high-quality, visually stunning game animation.
Company information
Santa Monica Studio is an award-winning game developer known for the God of War series, working on a new large-scale project.
Team overview
The animator will work closely with the Animation Director, Animation Leads, Technical Artists, and Narrative Designers in a collaborative team setting.
Unique job features
The position offers the opportunity to work on a high-profile, genre-defining game with a focus on narrative animation using both keyframe and motion capture techniques.
Company overview
Santa Monica Studio, a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment, is renowned for developing high-quality video games, most notably the critically acclaimed "God of War" series. They generate revenue through game sales, downloadable content, and exclusive PlayStation titles. Founded in 1999, the studio has a rich history of innovation and excellence in game design, contributing significantly to the success of the PlayStation brand. Their commitment to storytelling, cutting-edge graphics, and immersive gameplay has solidified their reputation in the gaming industry.
How to land this job
Position your resume to emphasize your experience in narrative animation, showcasing your ability to bring characters and stories to life through both keyframe and motion capture techniques, as Santa Monica Studio values strong visual storytelling and character development skills.
Highlight proficiency in Maya and MotionBuilder, along with your adaptability to various game engines and animation systems, to align with the technical requirements of the role.
Apply through multiple channels including the official Santa Monica Studio career page, LinkedIn, and reputable gaming industry job boards to maximize your application visibility.
Connect with current animators, animation leads, or narrative designers at Santa Monica Studio on LinkedIn; use ice breakers like commenting on their recent projects or expressing admiration for God of War’s animation quality to start meaningful conversations.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'narrative animation,' 'keyframe animation,' 'motion capture,' 'Maya,' 'MotionBuilder,' and 'game engine pipelines' to improve your chances of passing initial screenings.
Leverage Jennie Johnson’s Power Apply feature to automate tailored applications, find the best platforms to apply through, and identify relevant LinkedIn contacts to network with, allowing you to focus your energy on honing your animation craft and interview preparation.
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