*If you have an online portfolio, please provide a clickable link somewhere in your application*
Warehouse 21 is looking for a motion graphics design and animation expert with additional experience in video editing and post-production. This position will also offer the opportunity for growth in the full video production landscape. Motion graphics and animations are a key part of W21’s regular work, from ribbon boards at University of Wyoming basketball games to TV commercials. Video editing is also important to this role, including video clip compilations, use and manipulation of stock footage, color correction, and music and voice over integration. We want someone on the forefront of the digital landscape—who knows what the latest trends are and has a desire to learn them. All of these contribute across W21’s three service lines of brand, campaign, and experience. Your work will regularly be used on websites, TV and other media, and in-booth tradeshow experiences.
Experience/Event is a huge part of the W21 ecosystem and a candidate that is up to date on the latest technology integrations is desired. Our tradeshow video executions range from video panels integrated into walls, video screens linked together to create one unique display, projection mapping, and video pedestals for products to name a few. So unique video formats and layouts will be something this position encounters along with direct collaboration and testing with the event team. AR/VR is an area we are continuing to grow in, so experience in that is a huge plus.
Another important requirement of this position is either existing video production skills or the desire to grow in video production and managing vendors. W21 has multiple video production resources we work with that this position would help manage by reaching out for bids, communicating budgets and timelines, staying on top of and communicating production schedules, attending shoots, and overseeing final production. While we understand this isn’t typical for a motion graphics creator, we believe there are candidates out there that have knowledge beyond that specialized skillset, and a desire to grow beyond it. This is a position with a chance for growth to become a video production powerhouse and advance your skill sets across the entire video production landscape.
This position will live within our creative department and report to the Creative Director. As a part of the creative team, you will get to contribute to concepts by attending brainstorms, bringing your own ideas to the table, and help determine the best vendors to partner with if needed.
Above all else, W21 values culture and it’s a deciding factor in all of our hiring decisions. We are a team of humble individuals who check egos at the door. We believe in challenging each other, but doing so through kindness, truth, and grace. We are confident in what we do, but we are not arrogant. We stay curious, we explore and collaborate freely, and we value each other’s individual skill sets. If that sounds like you, we can’t wait to see your work!
Qualifications:
Expert level proficiency in animation and video editing software.
3+ years experience bringing a video to life through animating graphics, key elements, typography, photography, adding textures, and transitions.
Proven ability to direct and record voice over talent, manage auditions, manage a talent budget, and implement voice, sound, and music into videos.
At least three years experience bringing a live-action video to life through editing footage, laying sound beds, color correcting, and exporting for media placements.
Exceptional organizational skills with files, packaging, saving, and backing up projects.
Solid time management skills, ability to manage your own workload while also coordinating with outside vendors.
Willingness to manage and learn alongside video production partners.
Solid ability to be a team player, working directly with the designers and creative directors to achieve artistic vision and meet client expectations.
Must provide a portfolio of work that displays the qualifications listed above. Submissions without a portfolio WILL NOT be considered.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
Motion Design & Animation:
Proficiency in: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere Pro, Cinema 4D or Blender, Illustrator and Photoshop, Plugins and Scripts (Using AE plugins or custom scripts to automate repetitive tasks or enhance visual effects)
Contribute to brainstorming and development of creative ideas and concepts, translating them into visual motion designs
Review storyboards/direction to map out flow, transitions, and keyframes
Help define the overall visual style while planning how design elements will move, interact, and transform throughout the animation
Prep, pull, and animate images, stock assets, templates, and designed visual elements including illustrations, icons, logos, and typography while ensuring designs remain crisp and clear when scaled
Set and adjust keyframes to control the timing and flow of animations with smooth transitions and movement between different visual elements
Create both 2D and 3D animations
Animate text using kinetic typography techniques to convey messages dynamically
Design and implement smooth visual transitions between different scenes, sequences, or shots
Animate simple character movement using rigging and keyframing techniques
Use masking, rotoscoping, or motion tracking techniques to isolate or manipulate specific parts of footage or graphics
Seamlessly integrate motion graphics into live-action footage, combining animation with real-world elements
Render motion graphics in the appropriate resolution and format ensuring optimized file sizes and quality
Export final motion graphics in various formats, ensuring compatibility and optimizing while maintaining quality while staying extremely organized
Stay up to date on the latest industry trends and tools
Video Editing:
Be proficient in editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Avid), sound design tools (Adobe Audition, Pro Tools, Logic), and color grading software (DaVinci Resolve).
Review raw, client provided, and stock footage to assess quality and select the best clips that align with the story or project objectives
Assemble a rough cut by arranging footage in a timeline according to the script or storyboard, establishing the flow of the content while working closely with the creative team
Trim, split, and rearrange footage to achieve the desired pacing and continuity, ensuring a smooth visual flow
Add appropriate transitions (cuts, fades, wipes) and video effects that enhance the story
Insert graphics, text, and titles as needed (lower-thirds, credits, captions) to support the narrative
Adjust color balance, contrast, and brightness of footage to create a consistent look between shots and matches the overall intention/aesthetic the creative team desires
Coordinate recording of voice over sessions and properly manage audio files post recording for implementation into the edit (VO sessions can be through a vendor or using your own equipment)
Ensure all audio elements are properly synced with the video footage, transition cleanly, dialogue is clean and clear, sound effects are used that only enhance the piece, and choose/integrate background music that compliments the tone, while ensuring exports are mastered appropriately for distribution
Keep all video, audio, and graphical assets well organized in a project folder or editing timeline
Ensure final videos are rendered in the highest quality, free of glitches, visual artifacts, and errors
Ensure the final videos adhere to platform or broadcast standards
Data & Gear Management:
Safely back up project files, source material, & footage to ensure data redundancy while verifying data integrity
Properly label and organize files with a clear folder structure, ensuring that each project is properly organized & backed up in the proper place
Convert original footage to various file formats or resolutions as required by the team's need
Prepare data for long-term/archival storage by creating copies on archival-quality media for future reference
Follow industry standards for data management, color workflows, and media archiving to ensure consistency across production teams
Ensure data is stored and delivered according to file standards required by post-production and distribution platforms
Maintain in-house photo & video equipment to keep them clean & in proper working order
AREAS OF ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE/GROWTH
Preference given to candidates with a Producer skill-set, or to candidates with a desire to grow into a Producer role.
Producer:
Collaborate with client, creative teams, and production vendors to develop ideas and concepts
Work with the management team to project high-level budgets, contribute to final budget building, budget management with vendors
Review storyboards that detail the visual direction of the production
Work with the Creative Director on which production vendor we should use for a specific execution
Shoot schedule building (client facing & production facing) alongside production vendors and keep the team up to speed by communicating timing and logistics coordination (travel, transportation, hotels, etc)
Review and share locations and scouting findings provided by the production vendor with the Creative Director and project team
Review and share casting options provided by the production vendor with the Creative Director and project team
On set, work alongside the hired Producer to ensure everything runs according to plan and help facilitate communication between clients and them
Help oversee the editing process and share rough cuts with the Creative Director and provide collective feedback to the vendor
Provide direction from the Creative Director on music, sound effects and color to make sure they are being implemented accordingly
Supervise or create any visual effects, motion graphics, or animations
Ensure files are being edited in spec for how they will be distributed (online platforms, social media, television, etc.)
Serve as the primary contact from client and internal team to the production team
Track and manage the budget throughout production, and communicate back to account managers any changes
Ensure that all elements of production stay on schedule and meet deadlines through clear communication with production vendors
Ensure that production vendors have contracts, releases, and legal paperwork in order (actor releases, location agreements, copyright clearances)
Remote Workspace: The candidate for this position must reside within a three hour driving radius of Cheyenne, Wyoming. When working remotely, W21 asks that employees designate a workspace within their individual work location that is suitable for completing necessary duties. This position is best performed if the employee is available by phone, video, email, and chat during designated working times: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Mountain Time. The workspace and equipment should be appropriately safeguarded in order to protect confidential company and client information.
If any of this resonates with you, we invite you to apply! We will begin reviewing resumes and portfolios on January 6, 2025. If this is a place where you can see yourself making an impact, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your resume, portfolio and salary requirements to kelley@warehouse21.com . Please include “Motion Graphics Animator/Video Production Manager and Editor” in the subject line.