Senior Animation Artist; Freelance

Position: 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 Motion Builder

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 Motion Builder 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 Information
Need Accommodation?

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience.

Privacy Notice
Your personal information will be collected, used, and stored for recruitment purposes in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

Pitch Black is an Equal Opportunity Employer
At Pitch Black, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, skills, experience, and business needs.

We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital or family status, pregnancy, veteran or military status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, provincial, or local law.