3D Character Animator - Experienced

4 Months ago • All levels • Animation

Job Summary

Job Description

Blue Zoo seeks an experienced 3D Character Animator to join their London studio in a hybrid role (at least 2 days/week in-studio). Responsibilities include creating punchy, comedic animation; collaborating with directors and clients; meeting deadlines; managing time efficiently; providing and receiving feedback; mentoring junior animators; and ensuring high-quality work. The ideal candidate will possess advanced understanding of body mechanics, posing, Maya (or similar software), and excellent communication/collaboration skills. The role starts April/May 2025.
Must have:
  • Advanced understanding of body mechanics and posing
  • Proficiency in Maya or similar software
  • Excellent time management and prioritization
  • Ability to receive and act on feedback
  • Teamwork and collaboration skills
  • Creative problem-solving abilities
Good to have:
  • Python or Mel scripting
  • Drawing/creative skills (acting/dance)
  • Shotgun or FTrack experience
Perks:
  • Winner of Best Places to Work in TV
  • Inclusive self-funded shorts program
  • Social events
  • Employee feedback program
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Online wellbeing program
  • Profit share (after 2+ years)

Job Details

About The Role

Our character animators are fantastic storytellers. Their day-to-day focuses on punchy comedic timing, charming acting choices, and production deadlines, whilst meeting that all important brief from our Directors and Clients. How we animate is an essential part of what makes us Blue Zoo, so we’re looking for animators who can work productively, take direction and feedback, and join us in pushing the boundaries of what TV animation is capable of.

The successful candidates will need to be based in the UK as they will be required to come into our London studio at least 2 days a week, in a hybrid working model. Currently, we're unable to consider VISA sponsorship.
This opportunity is due to start in April/May 2025, please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.
 

Day to day:

  • Working as part of a team of animators, and regularly communicating with your Team Lead and Animation Director.
  • Managing your time efficiently to meet the deadlines of your assigned shots.
  • Making sure your work is communicating the story, ideas and acting choices clearly from blocking through to the final animation.
  • Responding positively to, and acting on, notes and feedback from your Director and Animation Director.
  • Supporting the Team Lead when under pressure or the Lead is absent.
  • Mentoring and coaching less experienced members of the team.
  • Achieving the highest quality work in the time given, as well as responding well to fixes.

About You

Must Have:

  • Advanced understanding of body mechanics, posing and getting the best performance possible out of a character.
  • An advanced understanding of Maya or similar software.
  • Ability to receive and act on feedback and respond to direction.
  • Excellent time management and prioritising skills.
  • Ability and drive to share your knowledge and skills with other team members.
  • Demonstrable experience of being a team player and great collaborator.
  • Excellent creative problem solving skills.

Bonus Points:

  • Python or Mel script knowledge.
  • Good at drawing/additional creative skills (acting/dance).
  • Shotgun or FTrack experience.

About Us

Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, with a world-class reputation as the go-to place for creating bold, fun and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, the studio has grown to become the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, picking up a shelf full of BAFTAs, an Annie and an Emmy along the way!

We couldn’t be prouder that Blue Zoo is the first major animation studio in the world to receive We’ve been independently certified by B Lab, a non-profit organisation who award the B Corp certification. The certification verifies companies who are working to improve the lives of employees as well as industries as a whole. The certification process involves over 170 rigorous metrics to improve the lives of our staff, customers, suppliers, and the local community, ensuring we are not just saying we are ethical with empty gestures, but independently evidencing it.

We are going through an exciting period of growth and are building a studio that is full of amazingly talented, happy artists, making work they are proud of, which in turn makes a small contribution to a happier world. Blue Zoo believes that a healthy balance in our lives - whatever our situation - is key to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We offer flexible working to support this.

We look for people who have expertise, enthusiasm and are motivated to make things better. You’ll work alongside a talented and diverse group of people who respect each other's differences and seek to understand and embrace fresh perspectives. 

What we’ve got for you:

  • Winner of Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024.
  • Inclusive self-funded shorts programme.
  • Many fun in person and remote social events throughout the year.
  • Bi-monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
  • Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers.
  • Online wellbeing programme.
  • Profit share (for employees who have been with us for 2+ years).

Blue Zoo is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity and invites everyone to ‘bring their whole selves’ to work. We believe that companies that truly embrace and value diversity, and create an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work, are better companies. 

To be engaged our people have to feel included and valued. We work hard to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is embedded in the way we work, not just an initiative. We strive to engender a studio community that feels a deep sense of pride and commitment that transcends any role, department or level and works together to produce excellent and engaging work.

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About The Company

Celebrating over 20 years of Blue Zoo! We’re one of the UK’s leading animation studios with an enviable client list and a shelf full of BAFTAs for our trademark CG character animation. We’ve produced some of the most well-loved kids shows on TV, memorable commercials, and our animated shorts are rapidly gaining recognition for artistry and innovation.


Our passion for our craft and storytelling in the most engaging way has always been at the core of what we do, and that integrity has earned us a worldwide reputation for creating brilliant animation for broadcast, commercials and digital content.

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