Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Working Life

The Animation Director is responsible for the supervision and leadership of the animation team. In collaboration with the director and VFX supervisor, the animation director is responsible for directing, defining, and maintaining the continuity of performance throughout a show/feature.

The role of the animation director 

• Will be involved with early performance development of major CG characters.
  
  
• Works in partnership with the CG/rigging/VFX supervisor to interpret and develop director's creative vision for the performance of characters within the production.
  
  
• Establishes key character animation and creates an animation bible to outline to the production.
  
  
• They review animation passes from internal and external teams, directing them to ensure the quality of animation is maintained throughout the production.
  
  
• They approve all character and facial rigs to make sure that character is to a high enough standard for the production to work with.
  
  
• Creates performance test composites for review by the director/supervision team in order to make an animation bible for the production.
  
  
• Runs animation dailies, ensures animation quality control and ensuring performance consistency.
  
  
• Interpret director’s needs and provide constructive feedback to crew.
  
  
• Works in partnership with Production to correctly cast shots to animators and ensure continuity of performance while meeting all schedules and highest standards.
  
  
• Responsible for clear lines of communication between, animation team, other departments and production.
  
  
• Work closely with the Rigging Department to ensure the delivery of Rigs that will meet an animator’s need for control, functionality, usability and performance.
  
  
• Implement the specific animation pipeline requirements of a particular project.
  
  
• Test and deploy tools in a high pressure production environment.
  
  
• Document and manage research, disseminate all show workflows and performance references to the animation team to ensure consistency.
  
  
• Work closely with FX Supervisor to ensure primary animation and secondary animation (cloth, hair, wardrobe etc.) are delivered to the highest standards.
  
  
• Work closely with Production, providing performance feedback, mentoring and maintaining positive moral among the team.
  
  
• Responsible for hitting animation targets according to the schedule with support from production to do so.

Works with

• Episode Directors
• Supervising Director
• CG Supervisor
• Animation team
• VFX Supervisor

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
• Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
• Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
• Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programmes.
• Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
• Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.
• Implement and maintain configuration control systems.
• Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques.
• Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows.
• Create and install special effects as required by the script, mixing chemicals and fabricating needed parts from wood, metal, plaster, and clay.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Education Routes: Animation Directors often have a degree in Animation, Motion Design, or Visual Effects, but can also come for cognate areas such as Film Studies or Games. 

Career Path to Animation Director: Several years experience in the Animation department. Excellent showreel proving proficient knowledge of animation.

Career Path from Animation Director: Episode Director, CG Supervisor, Head of Animation Department.

Not an entry-level role. Show reel and senior animation experience are important here.