• Future Internet Research Engineers
• Graduate Programmers
• Game Director
• Network Programmer
• Outsource Manager

Technical Artist

Black Rock Studio is currently looking for a Technical Artist to join the team at their Brighton-based studio.

Main Purpose of the Role:
As a Technical Artist at Black Rock Studios, you will provide specialist support to our animation and VFX team. Working closely with the project leads and directly with the teams, you will develop both temporary and long term pipeline solutions. A Technical Artist has to tackle the most complex content creation problems and processes. Reporting to the Technical Art Lead, his / her main job is to work in a collaborative team environment alongside artists, designers and programmers to create set-piece events and special effects for a AAA racing game.
We are looking for energetic, experienced and passionate team players who will work to drive our studio to success.

Key Activities:
— Make a significant direct contribution to the creation of in game VFX as they apply to real-time technology for a New-Gen AAA racing game.
— Solving of technical production issues, especially those related technical animation & VFX.
— Build advanced level rigs to handle large set piece events in conjunction with the VFX teams.
— Ability to prototype technical rigs through production of animation tests.
— Work with programming and tools teams to develop tools/ scripts/ plug-ins to streamline VFX and animation processes.
— Communicate technical concepts.
— Cooperate closely with technical art, team leads and audio lead to deliver first class VFX that exceed the state of the art and aspire to action movie visual and technical production standards.
— Work with Pre Visualization department on cross studio projects and visual FX prototyping.
— Maintain and communicate a strong knowledge of innovative game production technologies and the capabilities/limitations of these technologies as they relate to the project goals.
— Perform special projects as assigned.

Essential Requirements:
— Strong technical knowledge of Maya 8+ rigging and animation tools.
— Able to standardise auto rigging scripts.
— Knowledge of Animation principles and Kinematics.
— Understanding of an animator’s needs and requirements.
— Understanding of game engines, tools, pipelines and development processes.
— Good communication skills; ability and willingness to accept and follow direction, and to collaborate productively with others.
— A reel demonstrating outstanding visual and technical ability.
— Must be responsive to deadlines and work well under pressure.

Competencies:
— Creative problem solver.
— Able to perform very well for different issues and in short time.
— Attention to detail and ability to accurately follow instructions.
— Team player.
— Good English.
— Genuine interest in playing games.

Experience Required:
— Must have previous experience and at least 1 published title (e.g. movie, game, etc).
— Experience writing complex MEL scripts.
— Knowledge of and experience with physical based animation simulations desirable.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 8th April 2010
Salary: competitive

How to apply:
Please email your resume to jobs@distudios.net

About Black Rock Studio
Black Rock Studio, formerly known as Climax Racing, was established in early 2000 with the goal of becoming the industry's premier racing studio. The studio now employs more than 100. Using its proprietary render engine and PACE physics libraries, the studio has become experienced at producing triple-A, critically acclaimed racing titles in very competitive development times. Climax Racing was acquired by Disney Interactive Studios in October 2006 and re-named Black Rock Studio in July 2007.

About Disney Interactive
Disney Interactive Studios is the interactive division of the Walt Disney Company. We develop, publish, market and distribute a broad portfolio of multi-platform next-generation video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. Our family of studios includes Fall Line and Avalanche Software in Salt Lake City, and Propaganda Games in Vancouver and of course the Brighton Studio in the UK. Come and upgrade your career with one of the world’s largest entertainment companies.