Senior Animation Artist (Freelance)

The Senior Animation Artist is responsible for delivering animated performances through character and creature animation, performance, and body mechanics. This role focuses on complex shot work, technical leadership, workflow optimisation, and mentoring team members.
Working with a high level of autonomy, the Animation Senior Artist provides technical direction and leads by example. Collaborating closely with Layout, Rigging, CFX, Lighting, Production, and Animation teams across multiple locations, this role ensures that work meets creative, technical, and schedule requirements.
Shot Work & Performance
Execute advanced animation work, including hero shots and complex character performances
Lead animation on key sequences, establishing performance and quality benchmarks
Create nuanced facial performances and precise lipsync for dialogue-heavy shots
Develop character explorations and key poses that help define the animation style
Deliver assigned shots on schedule while maintaining a high standard of quality Pipeline & Workflow
Ensure animation deliverables meet technical requirements for downstream departments
Troubleshoot pipeline and workflow issues in collaboration with other departments Quality, Continuity & Self-QC
Elevate performance quality and continuity across sequences while setting benchmarks on key shots
Diagnose complex animation notes and propose solutions that preserve creative intent and production schedules
Coach team members on strong self-QC practices, including arcs, contact, polish, and readability, to reduce iteration time Workflow & Continuous Improvement
Collaborate with local and global teams, Supervisors, and Heads of Department to design tools and optimise workflows
Support global production teams through documentation and technical guidance
Contribute to ongoing workflow improvements through technical problem-solving and innovation Communication, Collaboration & Mentorship
Participate in and, when appropriate, lead dailies, presenting work clearly and responding constructively to feedback
Communicate proactively with Supervisors, Heads of Department, and Production regarding risks, dependencies, and technical constraints
Support skill development across local and global teams through mentorship and knowledge sharing
Work effectively across time zones in a fast-paced production environment
Mentor junior and mid-level animators on artistic techniques and production workflows
Demonstrate a proven track record of mentorship and technical leadership
Qualifications
Significant experience in a professional VFX production environment with a focus on Animation
Expert-level proficiency in Maya and MotionBuilder Preferred Qualifications
Experience leading sequences or small teams
Experience collaborating across multiple sites or studios
Contributions to R&D or tool development initiatives Core Technical Skills
Maya and MotionBuilder for character and creature animation Soft Skills
Clear and effective communication across disciplines and time zones
Strong problem-solving abilities under production pressure
Collaborative mindset focused on technical excellence and consistency
Highly organised, proactive, and detail-oriented
Additional InformationNeed Accommodation?
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