Lead Animator: From The Basement To The 20th Floor

PERSPECTIVE AS A BOOMERANG ANIMATOR

STARTED FROM A BASEMENT, NOW WE HERE!

» You spent almost five years at MHG before leaving, and now you’ve been back with us for two years. What motivated your decision to return to Mad Head Games?

I left to explore new opportunities, broaden my perspective, and challenge myself in different environments. During that time, I gained insights into different studio cultures, workflows, and leadership approaches. However, what ultimately drew me back was the strong sense of creativity and trust at MHG.

I saw an opportunity to apply what I had learned – whether in optimizing workflows, fostering innovation, or improving team dynamics – in a place where I knew I could make an impact. MHG has always pushed creative and technical boundaries, and I wanted to be part of that growth again.

» How has the studio evolved since your first time here? Were there any changes that surprised you?

The biggest change I noticed is how much the studio and its people have matured. Problem-solving now happens from multiple perspectives, with a greater emphasis on collaboration and openness to different opinions. It’s one thing to say it, but another to actually do it – and MHG succeeded, and that’s a fact!

» How did your time away change your perspective on MHG’s culture and animation workflow?

That’s a great question! Stepping away from a familiar environment – whether by changing studios or freelancing – often brings fresh insights. For me, three key realizations stood out:

• MORE APPRECIATION FOR A HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT
  Being away highlighted the importance of a positive studio culture, where collaboration, trust, and work-life balance are valued. It made me more mindful of avoiding crunch culture and fostering better team morale.
• AUTONOMY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ARE KEY
  My time away reinforced that people do their best work when they have ownership of their tasks. This shaped my leadership style to promote independence while setting clear expectations.
• EFFICIENCY & OPTIMIZATION BECOME EVEN MORE IMPORTANT
  I became more aware of inefficiencies that often get overlooked in studio pipelines with big teams. I worked in a team with just two animators, which meant we had to be efficient and adaptable. Coming back with fresh eyes, I now focus more on streamlining processes, automating repetitive tasks, and improving cross-team collaboration. The goal is to make workflows smoother and more flexible, rather than sticking to rigid studio pipelines.

EXPERIENCE AT MAD HEAD GAMES

ONCE A MAD HEAD, ALWAYS A MAD HEAD

» How would you describe your leadership style, and what’s most important to you as a Lead Animator?

As a team lead, I take a hands-on approach, mentoring by example while adapting to project needs. I foster creativity and problem-solving when innovation is key and ensure structure and organization when the focus is execution. Trust, autonomy, and accountability are at the core of my leadership style, empowering team members to take ownership of their work.

Collaboration is essential – I encourage open communication and shared problem-solving, believing efficiency and creativity go hand in hand. My focus is on creating an environment where both can thrive.

So, for me, the key values are trust, creativity, efficiency, teamwork, autonomy, and accountability.

» What have been the most rewarding aspects of working as a Lead Animator at our studio?

One of the most rewarding parts of being a Lead Animator at MHG is seeing the team grow. Watching people develop skills, gain confidence, and take ownership of their work is incredibly fulfilling. Whether mentoring, solving complex challenges, or watching the team come together, those moments make the job worthwhile.

» What skills or habits have helped you grow the most in your career?

Plan and write down everything! And I mean EVERYTHING! Every animation idea, movement, or inspiration – WRITE IT DOWN! Trust me, you’ll need it someday. And always plan your animations – both technically and creatively. It will make your life easier. Those two things, if we look at them as habits, are golden to me.

» How do you support the growth and development of your team members?

I support my team’s growth by being present, approachable, and hands-on. The best way to develop skills is through real challenges, so I ensure team members take on responsibilities that push them while knowing I’m there for guidance.

I encourage open conversations about career goals and provide feedback in real time – whether refining problem-solving, sharing technical tips, or offering a fresh perspective. Learning happens naturally through quick discussions, knowledge-sharing, and hands-on experience.

Ultimately, I strive to create an environment where people feel trusted, supported, and challenged – growing without feeling overwhelmed.

Another big reward is working on projects that push creative and technical boundaries. The collaboration between departments, the problem-solving that goes into refining workflows, and the sense of accomplishment when everything comes together – those are the moments that remind me why I love this (F…) job!

Finally, MHG’s culture fosters teamwork and trust, giving me the space to guide while letting the team explore their creativity. That balance keeps the work exciting and meaningful.

» How does MHG’s animation pipeline differ from the other studios you’ve worked at? Is there anything here that stands out as particularly well-structured or innovative?

It’s structured yet highly adaptable, which is one of its biggest strengths. We refine and optimize workflows based on project needs rather than sticking to rigid processes. This flexibility allows us to push quality while maintaining efficiency. It also makes cross-department collaboration smoother since adjustments can be made without disrupting the entire workflow.

» How does collaboration between animators and other departments influence the creative process? Any standout moments of cross-team synergy?

Collaboration between animators and other departments is a huge part of the creative process at MHG. Animation doesn’t exist in a vacuum – it relies on strong communication with tech, design, VFX, and other teams to bring everything together. The programming team, in particular, plays a huge role in refining animation implementation, while our collaboration with VFX helps blend movement and effects seamlessly.

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

NOT OUR FINAL FORM

» Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future at MHG?

As a big fan of the franchise I’m working on, I’d definitely say – the projects we have coming up! It’s always motivating to work on something you genuinely love, knowing we have the opportunity to push the quality even further. I also look forward to evolving our animation pipeline and deepening our collaboration with tech and VFX teams to unlock new creative possibilities.

It feels like we’re in a great position to do something truly special and ever-lasting, and that’s what keeps me motivated every day!

» You spent almost five years at MHG before leaving, and now you’ve been back with us for two years. What motivated your decision to return to Mad Head Games?

I left to explore new opportunities, broaden my perspective, and challenge myself in different environments. During that time, I gained insights into different studio cultures, workflows, and leadership approaches. However, what ultimately drew me back was the strong sense of creativity and trust at MHG.

» How has the animation industry evolved in recent years, and how is MHG adapting to these changes?

The animation industry has evolved rapidly, especially in game development. Players expect more fluid, responsive movement – and advances in mocap, procedural animation, and real-time systems have improved realism while adding new challenges.

Another big shift is how closely animation now works with other disciplines – it’s no longer a solo effort. It needs to integrate seamlessly with gameplay, AI, physics, and VFX. The role of technical animation has grown massively, making problem-solving and cross-team collaboration more important than ever.

At MHG, we stay flexible. Our pipeline evolves with project needs, new tools, and challenges. We’re always refining workflows, from mocap processing to animation blending, pushing for better results instead of sticking to “the way it’s always been done.”

I saw an opportunity to apply what I had learned – whether in optimizing workflows, fostering innovation, or improving team dynamics – in a place where I knew I could make an impact. MHG has always pushed creative and technical boundaries, and I wanted to be part of that growth again.

» What are the biggest challenges the animation team faces on an AA project, and how do you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges in AA projects is balancing quality with efficiency. We don’t have the same resources as AAA studios, but player expectations for fluid, immersive animations remain high. Delivering that within tighter budgets and timelines is always a challenge.

Another hurdle is iteration time. Animation isn’t just about making things look good – it has to work seamlessly in-game. Testing, refining, and coordinating across departments can slow things down, even for small changes.

We tackle these challenges through adaptability and smart problem-solving. We focus on high-impact animations, streamlining workflows, and maximizing our tools. Clear communication and cross-team collaboration help us work efficiently and find creative solutions.

Ultimately, it’s about making the smartest choices with the resources we have while still pushing for the best results.