Previs Artist

Blue Zoo Productions; London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading animation studio known for its vibrant and engaging storytelling! As a Previs Artist, you'll collaborate with talented teams to bring stories to life through dynamic camera work and animation. This role offers the chance to work flexibly, whether on-site, hybrid, or remotely, and be part of a culture that values creativity and inclusivity. With a commitment to employee well-being and a strong focus on professional development, you'll thrive in an environment that encourages growth and collaboration. If you're passionate about animation and storytelling, this opportunity is perfect for you!

Benefits

Flexible Working Options

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Profit Share

Online Wellbeing Programme

Social Events

Employee Feedback Programme

Qualifications

• Strong skills in adapting storyboards into layout and camera animation.
• Advanced understanding of Maya and cinematography concepts.
• Excellent time management and prioritising skills.

Responsibilities

• Work with animators and layout artists to create compelling animations.
• Manage time efficiently to meet deadlines for assigned shots.
• Mentor and coach less experienced team members.

Skills

Storyboarding

Camera Animation

Cinematography

Time Management

Creative Problem Solving

Team Collaboration

Tools

Maya

Shotgrid

Python

Job description

Our Previs Artists are fantastic storytellers. Their day-to-day focuses on expert camera work, dynamic acting choices, and visualising sequences from storyboards and animatics, whilst sticking to production deadlines and meeting that all important brief from our Directors and Clients. You will have a strong understanding of dynamic camera work and terminology, such as lenses, composition, and staging.

We're looking at the successful candidate to start on 19th of May and the contract would run up to early July 2025.

We are very happy to discuss flexible, hybrid and remote working options for all our vacancies. Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.

Day to Day:

• Working as part of a team with animators, previs, and layout artists, and regularly communicating with your CG Supervisor, Animation Supervisor, and Director.
• Managing your time efficiently to meet the deadlines of your assigned shots.
• Making sure your work is communicating the story, ideas and acting choices clearly from blocking through to the final animation.
• 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.
• Responding positively to, and acting on, notes and feedback.
• Mentoring and coaching less experienced members of the team.
• Achieving the highest quality work in the time given, as well as responding well to fixes.

About You

Must Have:

• Strong skills in adapting storyboards into layout and camera animation.
• Strong understanding of pacing and timing, with a keen eye for composition.
• Understanding of real-world cameras and cinematography.
• Advanced understanding of body mechanics, posing and getting the best performance possible out of a character.
• An advanced understanding of Maya.
• Strong understanding of pacing, timing and general filmmaking concepts.
• Ability to receive and act on feedback and respond to direction.
• Excellent time management and prioritising skills.
• Demonstrable experience of being a team player and great collaborator.
• Excellent creative problem solving skills.

Bonus Points:

• Python or Mel script knowledge.
• Good at drawing/additional creative skills (acting/dance).
• Experience working in Shotgrid.
• Experience working within Children's TV animation.
• Ability and drive to share your knowledge and skills with other team members.

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.
• 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.