Job description
Join Crestline Studios, a leading animation powerhouse creating cinematic experiences for film, television, and game studios. We are seeking a seasoned Senior Animator to lead high-quality character animation from concept through final delivery. The ideal candidate blends artistry with technical excellence, mentoring teammates and shaping our animation pipeline.
Based in Los Angeles, you will collaborate with directors, riggers, and lighting to deliver expressive performances, believable motion, and on-model animation that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Responsibility
- Lead end-to-end character animation for short and feature projects, ensuring on-model performance and timing accuracy.
- Collaborate with directors, storyboard artists, and riggers to translate concepts into fluid animations.
- Oversee the animation pipeline, troubleshoot playback issues, and optimize assets for production deadlines.
- Provide constructive feedback to junior animators and guide their artistic and technical growth.
- Develop storyboards, timing charts, and reference materials to align creative intent with production realities.
- Ensure consistency in style, tone, and quality across shots and sequences.
- Mentor on rig usage, deformation, and performance capture workflows as needed.
- Participate in reviews, defend artistic choices, and iterate quickly based on feedback.
Qualification
- Bachelor’s degree in Animation, Computer Graphics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 5+ years of professional experience in character animation for film, TV, or games.
- Strong portfolio demonstrating expressive character animation and timing control.
- Proficiency in Maya or Blender, plus After Effects or Toon Boom Harmony for compositing and 2D support.
- Solid understanding of rigging, skinning, weights, and deformation techniques.
- Excellent collaboration, communication, and time-management skills in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience with pipeline tools, version control, and asset management practices.
- Ability to adapt to feedback, maintain professional standards, and meet tight deadlines.