Senior Blender Character Animator

Blue Zoo Production; London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animation studio is seeking a Blender Character Animator to join their team in London. The role involves creating compelling animations for commercials, collaborating with directors and other animators, and mentoring junior team members. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in CG animation and a passion for storytelling through character performance.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding and experience of Blender.
• Experience in CG animation production for television, film, games, or visual effects.
• Ability to receive and act on feedback.

Responsibilities

• Create layout and animation for commercial projects.
• Manage time effectively to meet short deadlines.
• Collaborate across departments to address production challenges.

Skills

Blender

Body mechanics

Cinematography

Creative problem-solving

Time management

Collaboration

Job description

Our short-form department creates strong character animation across TV commercials, short-form content for brands, and continues to adopt new technology platforms such as VR & AR, for Blue Zoo.

Our Blender Character Animators are fantastic storytellers. Their day-to-day focuses on expert comedic timing, charming acting choices, and production deadlines, whilst meeting that all important brief from our Directors and Clients.

Your day-to-day will focus on creating layout and animation for our commercial projects, establishing camera set-ups, discussing ideas with your Creative Lead/Director, and contributing creatively while pushing the boundaries of our animation.

We're looking at successful candidates to join the team on 30th June 2025 with contracts running to August 2025. Please note that this vacancy can close early if we receive a high number of applications.

Day to Day:

1. Work independently or collaboratively with other animators, maintaining regular communication with your Creative Lead, Director, and the broader Short Form and Commercials team.
2. Manage your time effectively to meet short deadlines, proactively flagging any potential delays with your producer as early as possible.
3. Ensure your animation clearly conveys the story, ideas, and acting choices—from initial camera blocking through to final polish.
4. Take direction constructively and implement feedback from your Creative Lead or Director with a positive, solution-focused mindset.
5. Collaborate across departments to address production challenges, clearly communicating with teammates both within and outside of the animation discipline to move projects forward.
6. Support the team during periods of high demand or when covering for absent colleagues.
7. Mentor and guide less experienced team members, helping to grow overall team capability.
8. Strive for the highest quality output within given timeframes, while staying flexible and responsive to required fixes.

Must Have:

• A strong understanding and experience of Blender.
• Advanced understanding of body mechanics, posing, and getting the best performance out of a character.
• Experience in CG animation production for television, film, games, or visual effects.
• Strong understanding of cinematography and how to use a camera to aid storytelling.
• Ability to receive and act on feedback and respond to direction.
• Excellent time management and prioritising skills.
• Ability and drive to share your knowledge and skills with other team members.
• Demonstrable experience of being a team player and a great collaborator.
• Excellent creative problem-solving skills.

Bonus Points:

• Additional knowledge of the CG animation pipeline.
• Previous experience with Shotrid or FTrack.