We are currently recruiting for positions on “Turkeys” our animated feature film that tells the tale of two turkeys who discover a time machine in a secret government lab and decide to go back to the first Thanksgiving in order to get turkeys off the menu.

This is for our Dallas location.

To oversee and direct the day to day operations of the film’s art department from a creative, organizational, and scheduling standpoint, ensuring that the Director’s vision, quality bar, design concept, and directives are maintained and consistent through all design and conceptual work underway. To provide constant feedback to the modeling, surfacing/fur, and lighting departments ensuring the style, consistency, quality, and creative work underway is in line with the original vision of the production.

• To develop the design concept, style, and quality bar required for the production, taking into account the advantages and restrictions of 3D animation, and the production schedule and budget.
• To oversee all designers and conceptual staff within the production’s art department, on a day-to-day basis, ensuring that the goals of the production are being met.
• To organize the day to day work of the production’s Art department, while working with the production department to ensure proper ordering of work, and setting of priorities for the benefit of the subsequent modeling, animation, surfacing/fur and lighting departments.
• To work with the Director and senior designers/illustrators to create and maintain a locked color palette and render style for the project, ensuring its adherence through design, texturing, lighting and final renders.
• To meet and communicate with the modeling and animation supervisors / departments to ensure design is meeting the requirements of the animation and modeling schedules.
• To work with the modeling, and lighting supervisors / departments, to ensure that the look, style, and quality being created falls within the Director’s vision, and within the ultimate goal, schedule and budget of the production.
• To ensure that creative ideas and suggestions regarding design and styles being conceived on the production, whether it be within the design, modeling, animation, or lighting departments, are properly heard and evaluated to ensure the highest quality production possible.
• To build strong communication and consistency across the film’s creative departments, aiming at creating a strong, inspiring, and productive team atmosphere.
• Oversee and direct in-house or freelance creative personnel involved with the Art Department (designers, illustrators, etc.)
• Provide creative direction, supervise, train and mentor staff

• Building effective teams – Creates strong morale and sprit in his/her team at all times. Understands the creative processes and knows when it’s time to push or nurture.
• Director Relations – Establishes and maintains effective relationships with Director and gains their trust and respect. Being proactive about communication with the Director both when they are located externally, and internally
• Negotiation – Can negotiate needs from both Director and Digital production, and be able to raise concerns with schedules and targets, and ensure they are proactive about setting expectations.
• Communication – Establishes clear directions, sets objectives, and communicates the project’s overall creative vision and timeline to the crew. Able to maintain two-way dialogue with others and is able to bring out the best in people.
• Leadership – Communicates a compelling vision and creates mileposts to rally support behind the vision. Leads by example and always stands behind his/her crew.
• Forward Thinking – Always prepared for the unexpected. Thinks through every step in advance to alter the schedule and budget as necessary, while staying committed to the goals of the production and the company.
• Project Management – Clearly assigns responsibility for tasks and decisions, sets clear objectives and measures. Monitors process, progress, and results. Pays attention to small details while not losing sight of the big picture.
• Decision Making – Decisive in decision making and does not shy away from making tough decisions, even the most unpopular ones among the crew.
• BA/BFA/MFA Degree in Fine Arts or Commercial Arts Field or equivalent work experience.
• Experience as an accomplished Art Director/Production Designer on a 3D animated production – preferably a feature length production, but not required.
• 5+ years of designer experience. Some feature designer experiences an asset.
• A strong understanding of design and the issues inherent in creating characters, sets, props, vehicles, lighting setups, and render styles for a 3D CGI feature length production, worthy of a theatrical release.
• Must have strong 3-D and 2-D character modeling, and creature design experience.
• Knowledge of story and performance preferred.
• Must possess excellent communication, interpersonal, and multi-tasking skills.
• Proven abilities in conceptualizing, organizing, and managing projects from concept to completion.
• Ability to create a positive, productive, and exciting work environment through his/her own ability to inspire others.