UK Only | 3D Character Animator - Experienced

Blue Zoo Productions; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Remote working options

Studio lunches

Job summary

Blue Zoo Productions in London seeks a skilled animator to bring compelling character performances to life. You will collaborate with a tight team, iterate with direction, and ensure storytelling through timing and acting from blocking to final animation.

The role emphasizes collaboration, mentoring, and delivering high-quality work under deadlines, with flexible/hybrid remote options in the UK.

Qualifications

• Advanced understanding of body mechanics and character performance.
• Strong ability to take direction and iterate on notes.
• Excellent time management and ability to meet deadlines.
• Proven team player with collaborative mindset.
• Creative problem-solving to convey story through animation.
• Ability to mentor junior artists and share knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with team lead and animation director on shots.
• Manage time effectively to meet deadlines and milestones.
• Ensure acting, story, and timing are communicated clearly from blocking to final.
• Act on feedback from directors and animation director.
• Support the team lead when under pressure or absent.
• Mentoring and coaching less experienced team members.
• Deliver high-quality work within the allotted time.

Skills

Body mechanics

Direction feedback

Time management

Team collaboration

Creative problem solving

Mentoring others

Communication

Tools

Maya

Mel scripting

Python

Job description

Our character animators are fantastic storytellers. Their day-to-day focuses on punchy comedic timing, charming acting choices, and production deadlines, whilst meeting that all important brief from our Directors and Clients. How we animate is an essential part of what makes us Blue Zoo, so we’re looking for animators who can work productively, take direction and feedback, and join us in pushing the boundaries of what TV animation is capable of.

The successful candidates will need to be based in the UK. 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 of animators, and regularly communicating with your Team Lead and Animation 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.
• Responding positively to, and acting on, notes and feedback from your Director and Animation Director.
• Supporting the Team Lead when under pressure or the Lead is absent.
• 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:

• Advanced understanding of body mechanics, posing and getting the best performance possible out of a character.
• An advanced understanding of Maya or similar software.
• 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 great collaborator.
• Excellent creative problem solving skills.

Bonus Points:

• Python or Mel script knowledge.
• Good at drawing/additional creative skills (acting/dance).
• Shotgun or FTrack experience.

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.
• 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.

We've recently become Class Confident - an initiative by The TV Foundation designed to remove barriers for people from working-class backgrounds entering and remaining in the television industry.

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.