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Frederick Iyela
Frederick Iyela
Gameplay Animator @ Ninja Theory
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Summary

A lover of movies, games and all things animation with over 6 years of professional experience creating realistic and stylised animations for both television and games. My experience also includes editing and cleanup of motion capture data, and integrating animations in game engines (e.g. Unreal and Unity). I'm a self-motivated, organised and detail-oriented individual that loves bringing characters to life. I'm pro-active in developing my skills – on and off the job – as well as an excellent communicator with a great work ethic.

Skills

3D AnimationCharacter AnimationCreature AnimationFacial AnimationMotion Capture Data CleanupMotion GraphicsVideo Editing3D ModelingRiggingMel ScriptingMotion Capture Data Editing

Software proficiency

Maya
Maya
MotionBuilder
MotionBuilder
Blender
Blender
3ds Max
3ds Max
Shotgun
Shotgun
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine
Unity
Unity
After Effects
After Effects
Premiere
Premiere
Photoshop
Photoshop
Illustrator
Illustrator
Perforce
Perforce

Reel

Productions

    • Video Game
      Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
    • Year
      2024
    • Role
      Gameplay Animator
    • Company
      Ninja Theory
    • Video Game
      TopSpin 2K25
    • Year
      2024
    • Role
      Facial Animator
    • Company
      Hangar 13
    • Video Game
      Mafia: Definitive Edition
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Animator
    • Company
      Hangar 13
    • Video Game
      Demon Knights of Ankhoron
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      Animator
    • Company
      Archon Forge Games
    • Video Game
      Outlaws of the Old West
    • Year
      2019
    • Role
      Animator
    • Company
      Virtual Basement LLC
    • TV Production
      Bob The Builder (Season 2)
    • Year
      2016
    • Role
      Junior Animator
    • Company
      Rainmaker Entertainment

Experience

  • Gameplay Animator at Ninja Theory
    Cambridge
    June 2022 - Present

    PROJECT - Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

  • Animator at Hangar 13
    Brno
    June 2019 - May 2022

    PROJECT – TopSpin 2K25

    • Prototyping in-game facial animations using Dynamixyz markerless facial motion capture solution.

    ...................................................................

    PROJECT - Unannounced AAA Game Project [Cancelled]

    • Edited mocap data, and keyframed gameplay animations for multiple player-controlled characters. This included locomotion and action animations.

    • Performed as mocap actor for multiple interaction animations for the different playable characters.

    • Developed and prototyped several concepts for enemy NPC animations.

    • Assisted in directing multiple mocap sessions for enemy NPC animations.

    • Edited mocap data, and keyframed gameplay animations for different enemy NPCs. This included locomotion, idle, fidget, and look-around animations in both calm and alert states; as well as unholster, aim, fire and holster animations for different weapon types.

    • Implemented locomotion animations for enemy NPC faction in studio’s proprietary engine.

    • Collaborated with designer to test enemy NPC animations in-engine.

    ...................................................................

    PROJECT - Mafia: Definitive Edition

    • Edited mocap data, and keyframed gameplay animations for the player character, which included locomotion, traversal, action, weapon-firing and reload animations.

    • Performed as mocap actor to capture some gameplay locomotion and traversal animations for the player character.

  • Freelance Animator at Archon Forge Games
    [Remote], Hong Kong
    February 2019 - May 2019

    • Created and prototyped locomotion and melee attack animations for the player character.

    • Collaborated with Rigger / Technical Artist to test and develop player character rig.

  • Animator at Centre for Communication and Social Impact
    Abuja, Nigeria
    May 2018 - September 2018

    • Delivered character animations for a series of short stories.

    • Responsible for animation direction.

  • Freelance Animator at Virtual Basement LLC
    Concord NH [Remote], United States of America
    September 2017 - January 2018

    • Created locomotion, traversal, and behavioural animations for bipedal, quadrupedal, and winged creatures.

    • Seamlessly collaborated with other freelance animators working from other countries.

  • Freelance Animator at Worldly Comics Entertainment
    Flint MI [Remote], United States of America
    March 2017 - September 2017

    • Responsible for planning, blocking, refining and polishing creature and character animations and performances.

    • Collaborate with other artists - animators, riggers, etc - from around the world on the Artella platform.

    • Communicate frequently with the client/art director to ensure effective development of animations.

  • Freelance Animator at Bridge Cross Games
    Manchester [Remote], United Kingdom
    September 2016 - March 2017

    • Responsible for planning, blocking, refining and polishing game character animations, including action and idle animations.

  • Junior Animator at Rainmaker Entertainment
    Vancouver BC, Canada
    February 2016 - June 2016

    • Responsible for blocking, refining, and polishing animations for both human and vehicular characters.

    • Revised and fixed animations according to direction from client and/or animation director.

    • Assisted other teams with their animation fixes.