Animation Artist - Temporary Contract

Rodeo FX; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading visual effects company is seeking an Animation Artist in Montreal. You will deliver high-end, hyper-realistic animations and work closely with creative leads to meet project specifications. The ideal candidate has at least 6 years of experience in a VFX or animation studio, with strong proficiency in Maya. Candidates must be available for a 3-month contract and work on-site three days a week. Collaboration and communication skills are essential, along with a positive attitude towards teamwork.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in a VFX or animation studio environment.
• Ability to animate from reference and build compelling acting performances.
• Experience with rigging fundamentals or custom tool development is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-end, hyper-realistic animations for creatures and characters.
• Interpret creative direction to build expressive performances.
• Collaborate with technical teams to troubleshoot animation issues.

Skills

Proficiency in Maya

Body mechanics understanding

Facial animation skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Collaborative mindset

Tools

ShotGrid

Other animation tools

Job description

Repeatedly voted one of Montreal’s Top Employers and Employer of the Year for the 2022 Mercuriades Awards, Rodeo FX is a high-end creative company offering services in visual effects, advertising, animation, and experiential. Nominated for multiple Emmy® Awards for its work on the series Stranger Things season 4, The Witcher season 2, and The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power season 1, the independent, Oscar®‑winning company boasts close to 900 artists crafting from studios in Montreal, Québec City, Toronto, Los Angeles and Paris.

Rodeo FX is a creative partner to the world’s best storytellers including Netflix, HBO, Disney, Marvel, Amazon Studios, Warner Bros., and Sony, and has collaborated on ads for YouTube, NBC, and Apple. Current projects include Blue Beetle, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon. Recently released projects include John Wick: Chapter 4, Black Adam, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and Love, Death and Robots Volume 3, for which the company won a 2023 VES award.

Job Description

The Animation Artist at Rodeo FX is responsible for delivering high-end, hyper‑realistic performances for creatures, characters, and animated objects. With a sharp eye for timing, weight, and emotion, the artist brings life and credibility to animated assets, whether realistic or stylized. Working closely with the Animation Lead and Supervisor, the artist contributes creatively and technically to the success of each shot, while adhering to the project’s artistic vision, technical specifications, and deadlines.

Master your craft

• Deliver polished animation work that meets both creative intent and production specifications.
• Demonstrate a solid grasp of animation principles—timing, weight, arcs, and posing—across different performance styles.
• Adapt quickly to varying animation contexts (realistic creatures, mechanical objects, stylized characters).

Creative Quality

• Interpret creative direction and reference materials to build nuanced and expressive performances.
• Propose original ideas and motion choices that enhance the storytelling and overall impact of the shot.
• Seek and integrate feedback constructively to elevate the quality of animation.

Technical Quality

• Ensure animation is clean, functional, and export‑ready for downstream departments.
• Anticipate and troubleshoot rigging or scene‑related issues in collaboration with technical teams.
• Maintain naming conventions, file structures, and technical requirements as per pipeline standards.

Communication

• Provide realistic time estimates, communicate promptly in case of issues or potential delays, and collaborate with production to adjust priorities if needed.
• Maintain open communication with production, leads, and adjacent departments to support smooth handoffs and problem‑solving.
• Flag roadblocks proactively and propose viable solutions when technical or creative issues arise.
• Participate actively in dailies and reviews, clearly presenting work and responding to notes.

Teach, learn and grow

• Share tools, tips, and approaches with peers to foster collective improvement.
• Engage in learning sessions, studio initiatives, or internal mentorship programs.
• Stay current with evolving trends, software, and animation methodologies to refine your practice.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years of experience in a VFX or animation studio environment.
• Strong proficiency in Maya; experience with other animation tools is a plus.
• Solid understanding of body mechanics, facial animation.
• Ability to animate from reference and build compelling acting performances.
• High attention to detail, autonomy, and ability to manage deadlines effectively.
• Positive, collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.
• Asset: Experience with ShotGrid or other production tracking tools.
• Asset: Knowledge of rigging fundamentals or custom tool development.

Additional Information

• Proven experience as a Mid-level or Senior Animation Artist.
• Must be based in Montreal.
• Must be available as soon as possible for 3 months (some flexibility may be possible).
• Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or an open work permit is required.
• Availability to work on‑site at the studio three days per week.

Diversity

At Rodeo FX, diversity is a core value. We’re committed to creating an inclusive, equitable workplace where different perspectives are embraced. Every team member brings unique insight that strengthens our creativity, challenges our thinking, and helps us deliver better work. Rodeo FX may use AI‑based tools to support certain steps of the recruitment process, such as interview transcription or preliminary application analysis. These tools may be operated by third-party providers, and data may be processed outside Quebec. These tools never replace human decision-making: all final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team and hiring managers. To learn more about how we protect your personal information and your rights, please consult our Privacy Policy.