Senior Animation Artist (Freelance)

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Pitch Black is seeking a Senior Animation Artist to deliver advanced character and creature animation, lead complex sequences, and mentor a global team across multiple studios.

You will provide technical direction, collaborate with Layout, Rigging, CFX, Lighting, and Production to meet creative, technical, and schedule requirements, and drive workflow improvements in a fast-paced VFX environment.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a professional VFX production environment with a focus on Animation.
• Expert-level proficiency in Maya and MotionBuilder.
• Experience leading sequences or small teams.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Ensure animation deliverables meet technical requirements for downstream departments.
• Troubleshoot pipeline and workflow issues in collaboration with other departments.
• 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 self-QC practices to reduce iteration time.
• 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.
• Participate in and 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.

Skills

Animation

Maya

MotionBuilder

Mentorship

Team collaboration

Job description

We don’t just build worlds. We build the teams that build better worlds.

From Montreal to Mumbai, London to Los Angeles, we unite diverse talent and experienceacross 10 global studios, delivering stronger, simpler, smarter VFX for episodic television and feature films.
For well over a decade, FOLKS artists have come together to create ambitious workwith human-focused collaboration. As part of the Pitch Black network, our teams contribute their distinct creative strengths to a broader community of talent, technology, and expertise around the world.

Join us and find your FOLKS.

Job Description

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
• 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
• 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 Information

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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.