Peter Donnelly
About Peter Donnelly
Peter Donnelly is a Lead Animator at CD PROJEKT RED in Vancouver, Canada, with over 15 years of experience in the animation industry. He specializes in gameplay animation, motion capture management, and workflow development.
Work at CD Projekt Red
Peter Donnelly has been serving as the Lead Animator at CD Projekt Red since 2021. His role involves overseeing animation workflows and ensuring high-quality animation standards for the company’s projects. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, he contributes to the development of unique player experiences through gameplay animation and design. His responsibilities include investigating and developing new software workflows for the animation department, which enhances the overall animation process.
Previous Experience in Animation
Before joining CD Projekt Red, Peter Donnelly held various animation roles across several companies. He worked as a Senior Animator at BioWare Corp from 2007 to 2009 and as an Animator at Slant Six Games from 2010 to 2012. He also had a brief tenure at Luximation Animation in 2010. His experience includes managing motion capture shoots and providing feedback on character rigs, which highlights his extensive background in animation.
Education and Expertise
Peter Donnelly studied at the Center for Digital Imaging & Sound (CDIS), where he completed the Digital Animation Masters Program from 2001 to 2003. His education laid the foundation for his expertise in animation, particularly in creating engaging gameplay experiences. He has developed skills in managing small animation teams and has experience in designing combat systems for third-person action and first-person shooter games.
Leadership and Team Management
Peter Donnelly possesses strong leadership skills, demonstrated through his ability to manage and mentor small animation teams ranging from 2 to 8 animators. He is known for maintaining high-quality work under pressure and meeting deadlines. His leadership extends to providing constructive feedback for improvement on character rigs, which is crucial for the animation process.
Technical Skills in Animation
Donnelly has developed a range of technical skills throughout his career. He specializes in retiming and polishing motion capture data for in-game use, ensuring that animations are fluid and responsive. His expertise also includes investigating and documenting workflows for new software, which contributes to the efficiency of the animation department.