Job description
NovaFrame Studio is seeking a talented Senior Animator to join our dynamic team in Los Angeles. This role blends creative leadership with hands-on execution, shaping character performances for broadcast, feature, and interactive media.
As a Senior Animator, you’ll collaborate with directors, layout, rigging, and lighting teams to deliver expressive, believable animation that meets production milestones. We value artistry, technical proficiency, and a collaborative spirit.
What you’ll bring: a strong eye for timing, spacing, and emotion; a proactive attitude; and the ability to mentor junior teammates.
Responsibility
- Lead and execute complex sequences from concept to final polish, ensuring timing, acting, and performance meet show style.
- Collaborate with directors, riggers, layout, and lighting to plan and deliver animation that serves the story.
- Mentor and review the work of junior animators, providing constructive feedback and technical guidance.
- Develop animation cycles, blocking, and timing charts; maintain shot pipelines and version control.
- Optimize performances for different platforms (TV, streaming, gaming) and ensure production deadlines are met.
- Troubleshoot technical issues, refine rigs, and contribute to pipeline improvements.
- Contribute to style guides and reference libraries to maintain a cohesive look.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 5+ years of professional animation experience in 2D/3D with a strong reel demonstrating range.
- Proficiency in Maya or Blender; Toon Boom Harmony; After Effects.
- Solid understanding of timing, spacing, acting, and character posing; ability to convey emotion convincingly.
- Experience with rigging and working within a production pipeline; strong problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and time-management abilities.
- A portfolio showcasing storytelling and character performance across diverse styles.