Previs Artist

Vfxwire; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Profit share

Wellbeing programme

Discounts and offers

Job summary

Blue Zoo is seeking a Previs Artist to work with the Director, Animation Supervisor and CG Supervisor, visualising sequences from boards and animatics. You will prototype assets in Scene, refine camera work and ensure shot continuity while collaborating across departments.

Experience in Previs and Autodesk Maya is essential; strong layout, timing, and cinematography understanding will help you shape first-pass sequences that align with feedback and project direction.

Qualifications

• Must have Previs experience.
• Strong layout and camera animation skills.
• Knowledge of pacing and timing, and composition.
• Understanding of real-world cameras and cinematography.
• Proficiency with Autodesk Maya.

Responsibilities

• Create sequences from storyboards and animatics with Director/Animation Supervisor.
• Plan staging in 3D layouts with CG Supervisor.
• Prototype/test assets in Scene and provide feedback to asset teams.
• Refine cameras during animation and consider lighting/FX impact.
• Establish character blocking and camera movement.
• Maintain shot continuity and overall quality across sequences.
• Act on notes from Director/Animation Supervisor and adapt to changes.

Skills

Previs

Camera layout

Camera animation

Pacing & timing

Cinematography

Communication

Team collaboration

Time management

Independent work

Tools

Autodesk Maya

Job description

About The Role

Our Previs Artists work alongside the Director, Animation Supervisor and CG Supervisor. You will be visualising sequences from storyboards and animatics, using assets created by the Modelling teams.

As 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, assets and camera work based on feedback from the Director and Editor.

Day to Day

• Working with the Director and Animation Supervisor to create sequences from storyboards and animatics.
• Working with the CG Supervisor to plan staging in the 3D layouts, with blocks of characters and camera.
• 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.

About You

Must Have

• Good experience in Previs.
• 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 knowledge of Autodesk Maya.
• Strong understanding of pacing, timing and general filmmaking concepts.li>
• 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.
• Experience with Maya into Unreal Engine workflows.

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've got for you

• Winner of Broadcast Best Places to Work in TV 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 & 2026.
• Inclusive self-funded shorts programme.
• Many fun in person and remote social events throughout the year.
• Bi-monthly employee feedback and engagement programme.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers.
• Online wellbeing programme.
• Profit share (for 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.