Lead 3D Character Animator

Our Lead 3D Character Animator are fantastic storytellers and excellent motivators. Their day-to-day focuses on managing their team, delivering characterful animated performances, expert comedic timing, charming acting choices, and maintaining production deadlines, whilst meeting that all important brief from our Directors and Clients. 

Day to Day:

• Leading a team of animators, and regularly communicating with the Animation Directors.
• Managing your time efficiently to meet the deadlines of your assigned shots.
• Arranging daily catch ups with your team to make sure they are on track and aware of their deadlines.
• Flagging to the Animation Directors and Production in advance if there are any potential issues with deadlines or workload.  
• 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 Directors and Animation Directors.
• Mentoring and coaching less experienced members of the team.  
• Acting as a good role model for your team. Achieving the highest quality work in the time given, as well as responding well to fixes.
• Talking up and down the pipeline to other Supervisors and Leads, troubleshooting any issues, as well as keeping Production and Animation Directors aware where appropriate. 
• Mentoring the team and helping with their development, including participating in your team’s review sessions along with the Animation Directors.
• Updating the Animation Directors on the team’s progress, communicating any concerns regarding the teams’ performance and wellbeing.

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.
• Great communication and a motivational team leader, naturally sharing your knowledge and skills with other team members. 
• Demonstrable experience of being a team player and great collaborator.
• Excellent creative problem solving skills.
• Problem solving skills to find the best approach to meeting the brief as well as troubleshooting issues and asking questions if unsure.
• Confidence in working independently. Being diligent, taking initiative and being reliable.
• Being organised and managing yours and your team’s time efficiently.
• Ability to help and support your team, contributing to the development and growth of your team members e.g. supporting already defined goals and giving clear direction in line with Animation Director’s requests.

Bonus Points:

• Previous experience as a Lead Animator on an animation production.
• Python or Mel script knowledge.
• Good at drawing/additional creative skills (acting/dance).
• Shotgun or FTrack experience.
• Understanding of a 3D production pipeline.

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.