Monday, May 3, 2010

Numairical Toons - Job Opportunities

Pakistan’s First Fully Animated Cartoon Show
A Traditional Cartoon TV show? Made in Pakistan? Islamabad?? Can you deal with it? How about you become a part of it too?


We are officially producing a fully animated television show on the likes of The Simpsons, Family Guy and South Park - for Pakistan. We’re looking for concept artists, painters, sculptors, 3d animators, character animators, compositors, editors, directors, project coordinators, public relations officers, research and development, administration, management and most of all, comic writers who can write FUNNY for a cartoon show. Comedic gags are where it’s at for a cartoon show and if you think you can conjure some up, you might be someone who can really contribute. Also, if you are adept at using vectors you can be especially valuable and will have great potential to our team.

We want to make the funniest animated show to really start a standard of locally produced cartoons. Ambitious? Want to join the excitement of a start up company with nothing but potential from the scratch ground up? Grow with us and lets initiate an entirely new industry in the process.

Skills that are needed from all applicants are the following:
Artistic Ability - Creative thinking, understanding composition and the ability to draw.
Storytelling Ability - This includes a good sense of timing, pacing and a sense of what is entertaining.
Technical Skill/Software Knowledge – Ability to work with Flash and TVPaint amongst other software. Further training and classes may be available on the job and in the studio.
Teamwork – ability to work well with others.

Specific requirements are the following for each given position. The figures next to each position are for monthly payments in Pakistan Rupees negotiable on skillset and value to the production pipeline. Figures do not include potential bonuses. All positions are extendable from contract to permanent:

DIRECTORS – 75,000/- to 110,000/-
(3-4 contract)
Responsibilities: Lead a team of artists and technical expertise in order to complete given stories as television episodes. Should be able to oversee technical issues as well as balance aesthetic issues of production in order to create the best possible episodes in the given times. Must show the work of his or her team in the form of dailies to the Project Director at the end of every day. Must have own transportation.
Contract or Permanent: Contract . Can consider for permanent.
Qualifications: Any education background. Preferably education in film related subjects. Preferably Intermediate pass.
Experience: Must have some past experience in film, preferably in directing film.
Extendable: Yes

ART DIRECTOR – 60,000/- to 100,000/-
(1 permanent)
Responsibilities: Must oversee and guide the direction of what everything will look like in coordination with the concept artists. Define the workflow. Correct things and always be on standby to help, assist or guide the production pipeline as well as lead the artwork production him/herself.
Contract or Permanent: Permanent
Qualifications: Preferably Intermediate pass.
Experience: 1-5 years as Art Director or related senior position in which concept art and/or illustration played a major part of projects. Graphic Design background is appreciated.
Extendable: Yes

SCREEN WRITER – 20,000/- to 65,000/-
(3-4 contract. 1-2 permanent)
Responsibilities: Develop and write comedic scripts and screenplays for episodes of the show.
Contract or Permanent: Contract and Permanent. Can consider contract for permanent.
Qualifications: Any education background. Preferably education in either writing or comedy related subjects.
Experience: Comedy or writing experience preferred.
Extendable: Yes

CONCEPT ARTIST/STORYBOARDS – 20,000/- to 55,000/-
(2 permanent. 3-4 contract concept artists. 3-4 storyboard artists)
Responsibilities: Must have good to great drawing/illustration skills. Design models, backgrounds, sets, characters, objects and the animation environment. Draw finished illustrations in order to develop ideas for characters, environments, stories, overall stylistic approach, as well as art material for future promotions and advertising of the show itself. Preferably the ability to draw sequential art (like comics/storyboards) to present stories for every episode to the animators. Background in Fine Arts recommended.
Contract or Permanent: Contract and Permanent. Can consider contract for permanent.
Qualifications: Any education background. Preferably education in fine arts or illustration related subjects. Graphic Design background is appreciated.
Experience: No experience required if artwork / portfolio is relevantly impressive.
Extendable: Yes

CHARACTER ANIMATOR – 22,000/- to 65,000/-
(2 permanent. 12-16 contract)
Responsibilities: Develop timing and pacing for animated characters movements. Must be able to animate characters performances, movements, lip sync with sound etc in Flash or TVPaint software in limited given times. Traditional animation skills necessary. Further training may be available for potential animators.
Contract or Permanent: Contract and Permanent. Can consider contract for permanent.
Qualifications: Good drawing abilities required. Background in arts related field, preferably Animation, Film or Fine Arts. Skills in vectors (Freehand, Illustrator, Corel Draw) a BIG plus.
Experience: Experience in traditional animation preferred.
Extendable: Yes

MATTE PAINTER – 20,000/- to 30,000/-
(6-8 contract)
Responsibilities: Must have good to great drawing/illustration skills. Draw and paint finished cartoony backgrounds to be used in the completed animation itself. Background in Fine Arts recommended.
Contract or Permanent: Contract. Can consider for permanent.
Qualifications: Fine Arts educational background preferred.
Experience: Experience in painting or digital painting preferred.
Extendable: Yes

LAYOUT ARTIST – 20,000/- to 45,000/-
(3-4 contract. 1 permanent)
Responsibilities: Must have good to great drawing/illustration skills. Draw finished storyboards to be used in the completed animation itself. The ability to draw sequential art (like comics/storyboards) to present stories for every episode to the animators preferred. Background in Fine Arts recommended.
Contract or Permanent: Contract and Permanent. Can consider contract for permanent.
Qualifications: Fine Arts or Sequential Art (comics) background preferred. Graphic Design background is appreciated.
Experience: Art related experience preferred. Comics, Sequential Art, Photography, Cinematography, Painting, or any other art that incorporates visual compositions preferred.
Extendable: Yes

IN-BETWEEN ANIMATOR – 20,000/- to 30,000/-
(6-8 contract)
Responsibilities: Complete animation of character animators by completing in-between drawings. Good drawing skills and an understanding of animation are necessary. Further training may be available for potential animators.
Contract or Permanent: Contract. Can consider contract for permanent.
Qualifications: Drawing background preferred. Ability to draw and understand movement in drawing. Skills in vectors (Freehand, Illustrator, Corel Draw) a BIG plus.
Experience: Experience in animation preferred.
Extendable: Yes

COMPOSITOR – 20,000/- to 45,000/-
(3-4 contract)
Responsibilities: Composite layers of production such as 3D environments, backgrounds, character animation and sound into finished scenes. Knowledge of compositing software required.
Contract or Permanent: Contract and Permanent. Can consider contract for permanent.
Qualifications: Computer Science/Computer Arts background preferred.
Experience: Past work in industry preferred.
Extendable: Yes

EDITOR – 25,000/- to 55,000/-
(1 permanent)
Responsibilities: Edit completed animation scenes into finished episodes. Knowledge of editting software as well hardware required.
Contract or Permanent: Permanent. May consider for contract.
Qualifications: Education in Film or similar subjects preferred.
Experience: Past work in industry preferred.
Extendable: Yes

VOICE ACTOR – 15,000/-
(At least 4 on contract)
Responsibilities: Develop voices for cartoon characters and act/perform in them for every episode of the show.
Contract or Permanent: Permanent. But may work in similar manner to contractors – i.e. retainership.
Qualifications: Any education background. Preferably education in acting related subjects.
Experience: Preferably experience in acting, comedy or singing.
Extendable: Yes

SOUND RECORDING/MUSIC COMPOSITION – 25,000/- to 100,000/-
(1-3 contract OR 1 permanent)
Responsibilities: Compose original music, voices and other sounds such as sound effects for episodes of the show. Ability to use a Foley Studio Room in order to create original sounds preferred.
Contract or Permanent: Permanent. Can consider for contract if a regular and guaranteed retainership system can be worked out.
Qualifications: Any education background. Preferably education in either music or sound subjects.
Experience: Preference may be given to background in sound engineering or experience in sound recording and music composition.
Extendable: Yes

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER – 35,000/- to 55,000/-
(1 permanent)
Responsibilities: Teamworking as part of a broader production network, which might include liaising with printers, copywriters, photographers, designers, account executives, website designers or marketing specialists. Dealing with diverse business cultures, delivering presentations and finding funding. Much of the work involves pitching and being proactive in selling ideas and work to prospective customers and clients.
Contract or Permanent: Permanent.
Qualifications: Education in related field preferred.
Experience: Past work in industry preferred.
Extendable: Yes

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - 25,000/- to 50,000/-
(1-2 permanent)
Responsibilities: Research and develop stylistic, aesthetic and conceptual choices for the show. Develop methods to use art direction and direct Concept Artists and Writers to follow developed techniques.
Contract or Permanent: Permanent. Can consider for contract.
Qualifications: A strong desire to make the show successful aesthetically, visually and otherwise.
Experience: Past work in industry preferred.
Extendable: Yes

STUDIO MANAGER – 50,000/- to 90,000/-
(1 contract)
Responsibilities: Manage employees working at the studio, deal with technical problems. Ensure a level of content within the studio as well as ensure work is being done according to schedule.
Contract or Permanent: Contract and Permanent. Can consider contract for permanent.
Qualifications: Education in related field preferred. MBA preferred.
Experience: Experience dealing with artists preferred.
Extendable: Yes

STUDIO ASSISTANT – 15,000/- to 30,000/-
(1-2 contract)
Responsibilities: Assist Studio Manager working at the studio, deal with technical problems. Ensure a level of content within the studio as well as ensure work is being done according to schedule.
Contract or Permanent: Contract and Permanent. Can consider contract for permanent.
Qualifications: Education in related field preferred.
Experience: Experience dealing with artists preferred.
Extendable: Yes

PROJECT COORDINATOR – 60,000/- to 85,000/-
(1-2 contract)
Responsibilities: Manage workflow of the team to make sure all work is being completed on schedule. Should be able to solve problems technical or otherwise to keep workflow smooth.
Contract or Permanent: Contract (but must work on location.)
Qualifications: Background in animation or film production and/or management preferred. CAPM or other equivalent Project Management certification and above is a plus. Must be familiar with art asset version controlling techniques.
Experience: Familiar with agile techniques and 2 years experience with art or production cycles.
Extendable: Yes

ADMINISTRATION – 20,000/- to 30,000/-
(3-4 contract)
Responsibilities: Manage internal workings of the studio.
Contract or Permanent: Contract and Permanent. Can consider contract for permanent.
Qualifications: Education in related field preferred.
Experience: Experience dealing with artists preferred.
Extendable: Yes

Due date for applications is Monday 24th May, 2010. PLEASE NOTE: THIS ADVERT HAS NOW EXPIRED. PLEASE REFER TO THE LATEST JOB VACANCIES FLIER ABOVE THIS POST.

If you still want to apply, please send an email with your CV and past work samples (at least 3 separate pieces, at most 12 separate pieces) to: jobs@numairicals.com, but do not expect a speedy reply.

You can also snail mail CD's or DVD's at #4, Block 6, Street 9, G-7/2, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan. Please make sure that they don't have any viruses or similar otherwise we won't be permitted to review the work.

Monday, February 1, 2010

American and Japanese Studios Join Forces

Rhythm & Hues Studios and Brosta TV LLC, Tokyo have entered into a co-producing relationship with the goal of creating original intellectual properties for the global market. Both parties aim to conceive and produce cutting edge entertainment blending eastern and western cultures designed to appeal to audiences and consumers worldwide. The initial focus of the alliance is on the development of animated characters and ancillaries for mobile platforms, starting in early 2010, with potential for partnerships in other media, including books, manga (graphic novels), games and eventually films or TV series.

To the right is an image from an upcoming co-production as a consequence of this deal.

For more information read the AnimationExpress, an Indian online newsfeed for animators.