Blender Previs Artist

Blue Zoo; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working policy

Hybrid/Remote options

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Blue Zoo is seeking a Blender-savvy Previs Artist to collaborate with directors to visualize sequences from storyboards and animatics. The role involves camera work, layout, and rapid asset prototyping to guide production decisions.

You will refine camera setups, pacing, and timing, ensuring continuity and quality across scenes. The position offers flexible, hybrid or remote working options for applicants based in the UK.

Qualifications

• Experience in previs production and a strong command of Blender.
• Strong layout and camera animation skills.
• Clear understanding of pacing, timing and composition in animation.
• Knowledge of real-world cameras and cinematography principles.
• Experience collaborating with production and other departments.
• Able to work independently as well as in a team and manage tight schedules.

Responsibilities

• Work with Director and Animation Supervisor to create sequences from storyboards and animatics.
• Handle staging, blocking and camera work in 3D Layout.
• Prototype and test assets quickly in Scene to feedback to asset teams.
• Refine cameras during animation stages.
• Understand impact of shots on Lighting and FX departments.
• Establish character blocking, camera position and motion.
• Maintain shot continuity across sequences.
• Incorporate notes from Director and Supervisor.
• Adapt to creative changes through project life.

Skills

Previs experience

Camera animation

Pacing and timing

Cinematography concepts

Collaboration

Independent work

Tools

Blender

3D Layout

Storyboarding

Job description

About The Role

Our Previs Artists work alongside the Director and Animation Supervisor to visualise sequences from storyboards and animatics, using assets created by the Layout and Modelling teams.

As Blender Previs Artist you will have a good understanding of camera work and terminology, such as lenses, composition, and staging. You will create the first pass of rough posing and timing of characters and assets, based on feedback from the Director and Editor.

We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies.

The successful candidate will need to be based in the UK and will require the right to work in the UK.

Day to Day

• Working with the Director and Animation Supervisor to create sequences from storyboards and animatics.
• Staging, blocking and camera work in 3D Layout.
• Quickly prototyping/testing assets in Scene to give feedback to the asset departments.
• Refining of cameras at the animation stage, where required.
• Understanding the impact shots will have on the Lighting and FX departments.
• Establishing character blocking, camera position and animate camera movement.
• Understanding shot continuity of sequence to help guide shot creation.
• Maintaining consistent quality, style and continuity.
• Responding effectively to and acting on notes and feedback from the Director and Animation Supervisor.
• Adapting to creative change throughout a project.

Must Have

• Great experience in Previs & strong knowledge of Blender
• Strong skills in layout and camera animation.
• Strong understanding of pacing and timing, with a keen eye for composition.
• Understanding of real-world cameras and cinematography.
• Strong understanding of pacing, timing and general filmmaking concepts.
• Good knowledge of CG Animation techniques and CG pipeline.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with production and other departments.
• Good time management and able to work independently, as well as working well in a team.
• Self-motivated and creative problem solver with the ability to work with tight schedules.

Bonus Points

Experience working within Children's TV animation

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 offer

• Winner of Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
• Flexible and remote working policy
• Play a role in our Inclusive Blue Zoo Shorts Programme
• Many in-person and remote social events throughout the year
• Career development opportunities including training. Mentoring and more.
• Quarterly employee feedback and engagement programme
• Benefits package including cycle to work scheme, gym memberships, shopping discounts and offers
• Great studio space in the heart of London
• Studio lunches plus breakfasts and healthy snacks
• Profit share (for UK employees who have been with us for 2+ years)

Blue Zoo is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity and invites everyone to ‘bring their whole selves’ to work. We believe that companies that truly embrace and value diversity, and create an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work, are better companies.

To be engaged our people have to feel included and valued. We work hard to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is embedded in the way we work, not just an initiative. We strive to engender a studio community that feels a deep sense of pride and commitment that transcends any role, department or level and works together to produce excellent and engaging work.