22DOGS is Hiring Freelancers!

22Dogs Srl; Milano; Hybrid; EUR 14,000 - 16,000; Part time

Job summary

22DOGS is seeking a Senior Layout Artist for a hybrid freelance engagement based in Milan, Italy. You will define spatial and dramatic foundations for shots, guiding camera movement and composition to serve high-octane action narratives.

The role demands strong directorial timing, scale, and collaboration with directors, artists, and tech leads to push cinematic storytelling in a production environment.

Qualifications

• Professional background in high-end VFX, animated features, or cinematic game production.
• Technical mastery of 3D software and camera systems.
• Strong narrative sense for translating storyboard to 3D space.
• Experience in staging action or combat sequences.
• Maturity to lead and collaborate within a team.
• Ability to adapt to pipelines while delivering creative input.

Responsibilities

• Translate storyboards into high-quality 3D layouts with camera angles and character placement.
• Design dynamic camera movements to heighten pacing and impact in action scenes.
• Ensure assets are organized and ready for downstream departments.
• Iterate with directors and artists to realize the director's vision.
• Identify and solve production issues early in the layout phase.
• Deliver layout work within project schedules while balancing exploration and efficiency.

Skills

Action Scene Experience

Cinematic Blocking

Camera Knowledge

Collaboration

Tools

Maya

Unreal Engine

Camera rigs

Job description

22DOGS is actively seeking highly skilled, creative, and collaborative Senior Layout Artists to join our team on a freelance basis. As we continue to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, we are looking for artists who have a deep passion for cinema and a proven ability to craft compelling, high‑octane sequences.

If you possess a sharp eye for composition, an expert understanding of cinematic language, and a talent for action‑oriented narrative design, we invite you to contribute to our upcoming slate of exciting projects.

Role Overview : Senior Layout Artist

The Layout department is the backbone of our visual production, bridging the gap between storyboarding and final animation. As a Senior Layout Artist at 22DOGS, you will be responsible for defining the spatial and dramatic foundations of our shots. This role requires more than just technical precision; it demands a strong directorial sense of timing, scale, and camera movement.

We are specifically looking for candidates with substantial Action Scene Experience. You will be tasked with orchestrating complex sequences, ensuring that every camera move, character position, and environment setup serves the narrative intensity of the action. Whether you are working on fast‑paced, high‑stakes choreography or subtle, character‑driven dramatic beats, your work will serve as the architectural blueprint for the rest of the production pipeline.

This is a hybrid freelance engagement based in Milan, Italy. We pride ourselves on maintaining a flexible, project‑driven environment that values individual creative input while fostering seamless team collaboration.

Job Summary : Senior Layout Artist

• Company: 22DOGS
• Role: Senior Layout Artist
• Specialization: Action Scene Experience
• Location: Milan, Italy (Hybrid)
• Work Type: Freelance
• Salary Range: ₹15 – 18 LPA (Equivalent)

Key Responsibilities

• Cinematic Blocking: Translate storyboards and animatics into high‑quality 3D layouts, establishing camera angles, focal lengths, and character positioning that enhance the visual narrative.
• Action Choreography: Utilize your expertise in action sequences to design dynamic camera movements and staging that heighten tension, pacing, and impact.
• Technical Implementation: Maintain high standards for asset integration, ensuring that all 3D scene files are organized, optimized, and ready for downstream departments like animation and lighting.
• Collaborative Iteration: Work closely with directors, story artists, and technical leads to iterate on scenes, taking feedback and refining layouts to ensure the director’s vision is realized.
• Problem Solving: Proactively identify potential production issues early in the layout phase and propose creative, efficient solutions.
• Deadline Management: Deliver high-quality layout work consistently within the project schedule, balancing artistic exploration with production efficiency.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking a senior‑level artist who brings both technical mastery and an intuitive grasp of cinematic storytelling. To succeed in this role, you should possess:

• Professional Expertise: A strong background in high‑end VFX, animated features, or cinematic game production.
• Technical Proficiency: Mastery of industry‑standard 3D software (e.g., Maya, Unreal Engine, or equivalent) and a deep understanding of camera rigs, lenses, and scene management.
• Narrative Insight: A sophisticated understanding of the “language of film.” You should be able to look at a storyboard and understand exactly how to capture the emotion and energy of a scene in 3D space.
• Action Specialization: Specific, demonstrable experience in staging complex action or combat sequences.
• Professional Maturity: As a senior team member, you should be a self‑starter who communicates effectively, handles feedback professionally, and thrives in a collaborative environment.
• Adaptability: The ability to work within established pipelines while bringing fresh, creative ideas to the table.

Why Collaborate with 22DOGS?

At 22DOGS, we believe in the power of the artist. We are a studio that prioritizes creative freedom, innovation, and a supportive team culture. By joining us as a freelance collaborator, you will have the chance to work on challenging, high‑visibility projects that allow you to demonstrate your technical versatility and your artistic voice. We offer a hybrid work model that provides the professional engagement of a studio environment with the flexibility of freelance work.