Electronic Arts

Mocap Lead

EA Create Capture is a highly engaged content creation team within EA Studios. Our content is generated through multiple services which encompass motion capture, performance capture, 3D head scanning and body scanning for videogame titles developed by Electronic Arts (EA). We are adventurous and creative. We are courageous and we take chances. We are excited by pioneers who cut new paths and take on challenges with determination. We are a diverse team, unified through collaboration, culture and craft. We look for the best in everyone.

The EA Create Capture Acquisition team provides high-quality body and facial motion performances for in-game, cinematic and narrative sequences.

Role overview:

Our Los Angeles-based Mocap Lead supports the motion capture needs for all of EA’s game development teams worldwide. Reporting to the Studio Manager, and supervised by the Mocap Supervisor, the Mocap Lead is a senior member of the Acquisition team - the crew that prepares and executes motion capture recording sessions - and is responsible for the acquisition of motion capture data.

You have strong technical skills and extensive knowledge of motion capture hardware, software, data acquisition, tracking, Realtime, and post processing pipelines. You will support the pipeline from pre-production to delivery, and will lead motion capture recording sessions, ensuring project goals are achieved.

This is a 12-month contract, based onsite at the Chatsworth studio.

Responsibilities:

• Review production plans to ensure all motion capture requirements are met.
• Drive  the planning and execution of recording sessions, from pre-production to capture, ensuring session recording scope can be achieved and technical deliverables meet quality expectations.
• Track the recording day schedule and identify on-set efficiencies to maximize camera time. 
• Ensure the Motion Capture team fully understands the capture session requirements.
• Assist with capture system set-up, talent wardrobe fittings and body/face markering.
• Alongside the Studio Manager or Mocap Supervisor, co-lead project post-mortems to gather feedback to help improve motion capture process and data output.
• Expertly operate proprietary tools and technologies related to motion capture systems, to maintain the highest quality data possible. 
• Maintain and troubleshoot motion capture production hardware and software systems.
• Skillfully perform in each major stage function including Operating, Quality Control, Realtime, HMC, Prop/Set Building and running the Stage floor.
• Refine and document production processes, protocols and workflows and identify improvement opportunities. 
• Participate in general stage and equipment maintenance.
• Contribute to the development of proprietary tools, pipelines and the evolution of current technologies.
• Maintain strong working relationships with new and existing game development teams, production, post-production and technical leads to maintain the highest levels of quality to meet motion capture visual benchmarks.
• Promote a culture of excellence, growth, collaboration and mentorship, and meet support team goals.
• Occasionally assist the scan acquisition team with acquiring 3D character asset data during scanning sessions.
• Aid with scanning camera equipment setup, care, and operation when needed.

Requirements:

• You have 5+ years professional experience in Motion Capture and Cinematics in Videogames/TV/Film.
• You can demonstrate a successful track record in leading motion capture recording sessions.
• You are highly proficient in operating and troubleshooting optical and facial motion capture systems and workflows (Vicon preferred).
• You have technical knowledge of real-time animation retargeting and motion capture software, such as Motion Builder, Maya and Unreal Engine.
• You are comfortable with the pressures of being on-set and working in a live production environment.

Desirable experience:

• Animation workflows.
• Scriptwriting in HSL or Python.
• Audio and video production.
• Carpentry or set construction.
• 3D character scanning systems and workflows.