About The Role
This role requires the hired candidate to be based in the UK, outside of London (outside the M25).
Our Lead Character Animators are fantastic storytellers and excellent motivators. Their day-to-day focuses on managing their team, delivering characterful animated performances, and maintaining production deadlines, whilst meeting that all important brief from our Directors and Clients.
Our Lead Character Animators set an example within their team, are expert at both taking and giving feedback, and support the studio in pushing the boundaries of what TV animation is capable of.
We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies. Day to Day:
1. Responsible for looking after a team of animators, and leading by example.
2. Working with the animation director to help improve the storytelling of your team's shots.
3. Managing your time efficiently to meet the deadlines of your assigned shots.
4. Making sure your work is communicating the story, ideas and acting choices clearly from blocking through to the final animation.
5. Responding positively to, and acting on notes and feedback from your Director and Animation Director.
6. Mentor and support juniors on your team.
7. Report any positive or negative observations to your Production Manager and/or Animation Director.
8. Communicate with other departments to solve any asset problems for you and your team.
9. Help manage director notes and oversee completion across the team.
About You
Must Have:
10. Body mechanics, posing and getting the best performance possible out of a character
11. A proficient understanding of Maya
12. Receiving feedback and responding to direction
13. Time management and prioritising
14. Sharing your knowledge and skills with other team members
15. Being a team player and great collaborator
16. Creative problem solving
17. Motivated and set a positive example to the team
Bonus Points:
18. Python or Mel script knowledge
19. Good at drawing/additional creative skills (acting/dance)
20. Shotgun or FTrack
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 B Corp certification. 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:
21. Winner of Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024.
22. Inclusive self-funded shorts programme.
23. Many fun in person and remote social events throughout the year.
24. Bi-monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
25. Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers.
26. Online wellbeing programme.
27. Profit share (for employees who have been with us for 2+ years).