Lead 3D FX Artist

Blue Zoo Production; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Zoo Production is seeking a Lead FX Artist to guide and deliver high‑quality FX across a show, collaborating with the 3D/2D FX team and Creative CG Supervisor. You will translate the director’s vision into actionable FX solutions while driving consistency and technical excellence.

You will lead a small team, maintain schedule alignment, and proactively contribute to the creative process, including problem solving and new techniques. Hybrid or remote options are available.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of FX movement and animation pipelines across multiple tools.
• Ability to drive process improvements and creative outcomes.
• Strong communication to align Directors, Supervisors and artists.
• Proactive mindset with autonomous work ethic and problem solving.
• Experience leading a small team and delivering to schedule and creative brief.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of FX outputs to a high creative standard and technical execution.
• Review animatics and advise on FX approaches to meet the brief.
• Collaborate with 3D & 2D FX team and Creative CG Supervisor on scope and limitations.
• Ensure FX assets meet specifications from all departments with guidance from supervisors.
• Interpret Directors' and Clients' vision, providing clear feedback to the team.
• Provide references and keyframes early to achieve the director’s vision.

Skills

FX movement

Team leadership

Creative problem solving

Communication

Autonomy

Job description

Our Lead FX artists are creative problem solvers who understand the priorities of effects and the creative vision of the production. They are the decision makers of the FX department and are fully embedded within the show's creative leadership team, using their experience to find the right technical solution.

Your day to day will involve leading and supporting a team - whilst collaborating with other Supervisors/ HOD’s and other FX artists within the project - to oversee the creative/technical leadership and delivery of the project to scope, schedule and creative/technical expectations.

We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate thorough attention to detail, the ability to think outside the box, be super pro‑active and have an autonomous work ethic, alongside the ability to quickly integrate and communicate well within a small team.

Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.

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

Day to Day:

• Leading the effective delivery of FX outputs to a high creative standard and expected technical execution.
• Review Animatic’s and contribute to conversations about which FX approach is required to meet the brief. And drawing over animatics to give clear direction with assistance from the 2D FX Artist.
• Working with the 3D & 2D FX team & Creative CG Supervisor to understand the limitations of the scope
• Deliver to the stylistic, creative and scope needs
• Ensure FX assets/shots meet specifications provided by all relevant departments with support from the Creative CG Supervisor
• Interpret and communicate the Directors'/Clients' vision and feedback to the team for FX needs
• Advising and providing references/keyframes for big effect moments to include in the creative from early stage to achieve the director’s vision
• Understand concepts of cartoon timing and shape to give clear briefing and feedback
• Suggest creative outcomes and technical solutions, to the best of your ability for efficiency and standardisation for FX
• Keep in constant communication and collaborate with the Creative CG Supervisor
• Help the team keep on schedule and support Production when the schedule shifts by providing bids and assumptions
• Contribute to Art Directed abstract or stylised FX
• Contribute to problem solving or/and design solutions for stylised and abstract effects
• Lead FX across the project & create 3D FX if/when needed
• Provide day-to-day support to FX Artists to overcome challenges etc.

Must Have:

• In-depth understanding of the movement of FX & AnimationKnowledge of multiple FX pipelines and software, with an understanding of the FX workflow and best practicesUnderstand the efficiencies of assetising assets and organisation of asset libraries to work in conjunction with the Animation supervisors.
• Creativity to drive process, flexibility to find the best solution, whether that be through 2D keyframe/2D effects/3D keyframed Assets/3D SimulationKnowledge and experience in delivering FX assets/shots across a variety of different artistic styles.
• A strong eye for detail, a good sense of timing, and an understanding of techniques and technologies relating to Animation
• Great communication and a motivational team leader, naturally sharing your knowledge and skills with other team members.
• Problem solving skills to find the best approach to meeting the brief as well as troubleshooting production & technical issues
• Able to prioritise workload with conflicting deadlines & tight schedules
• Flexibility in working with multiple departments
• Clear, decisive and calm under pressure
• Constantly seeking personal and professional improvement within their role
• Ability to respond positively to feedback and develop from it.
• Creative with a good artistic eye