Company: Rodeo FX

Job Overview Rodeo fx jobs montreal Company Name: Rodeo FX Job Title: Animation Artist (Freelance / Travailleur autonome) Location: Montreal, QC (Remote eligibility within Canada/Quebec) Employment Type: Contract / Freelance (Project-based) Estimated Salary/Rate: Senior market rates in Montreal typically range from $45.00 to $75.00 CAD per hour for experienced freelancers (approximately $90,000 – $140,000 CAD annually, depending on contract consistency and specialized creature/facial expertise) Department: Animation Primary Software: Autodesk Maya (Expert level required) Secondary Tools: ShotGrid (Shotgun) and knowledge of rigging fundamentals Minimum Experience: 6+ years in a high-end VFX or Animation studio environment Project Scope: High-profile work for Netflix, HBO, Disney, Marvel, and Amazon Studios on titles like Stranger Things, The Witcher, and Rebel Moon Core Skills: Mastery of body mechanics, hyper-realistic facial animation, and the ability to animate from live-action reference Technical Responsibilities: Delivering polished, production-ready animation curves, maintaining naming conventions, and troubleshooting rig issues Creative Responsibilities: Interpreting creative direction to build expressive performances and proposing original motion choices to enhance storytelling Communication: Active participation in dailies, providing realistic time estimates, and flagging technical roadblocks proactively Company Culture: Multi-award-winning independent studio (Oscar® and VES winner) repeatedly voted one of Montreal’s Top Employers Work Style: High autonomy, collaborative mindset, and ability to manage tight deadlines effectively Diversity & Inclusion: Strong commitment to an equitable workplace where unique creative perspectives are embraced Recruitment Process: Utilization of AI-based tools for transcription and preliminary analysis, though final hiring decisions remain 10 If you are scouting for rodeo fx jobs montreal, you have likely realized that Rodeo FX is more than just a visual effects house—it is a cornerstone of the global creative industry. Headquartered in the heart of Montreal’s vibrant creative district, Rodeo FX has repeatedly been recognized as one of “Montreal’s Top Employers” and was named “Employer of the Year” at the 2022 Mercuriades Awards. This Freelance Animation Artist position offers a unique entry point into a studio that has contributed to Oscar®-winning films and Emmy®-nominated series. Whether you are a local resident or an artist seeking remote opportunities, this role provides the chance to work with a team of nearly 900 elite artists crafting visuals for the biggest storytellers in the world. Salary & Compensation Analysis One of the most frequent inquiries regarding rodeo fx jobs montreal is the compensation structure. As a freelance role, the salary is typically calculated via an hourly or daily rate. Based on industry data for the Montreal VFX market in 2026: Average Hourly Rate: For an artist with the required 6+ years of experience, rates typically range from $40.00 to $70.00 CAD per hour. Weekly Earnings: Highly skilled senior freelancers often command between $1,600 and $2,200 CAD per week, depending on the complexity of the project (e.g., hero creature animation vs. background assets). Contract Nature: As a Travailleur autonome (Freelance), you are responsible for your own tax withholdings and benefits. However, the premium paid for freelance expertise often offsets these costs compared to permanent salary roles. Annual Projections: While freelance work is project-dependent, a Senior Animation Artist working consistently in Montreal can expect an annual earning potential between $85,000 and $125,000 CAD. Why Choose Rodeo FX? When searching for rodeo fx jobs montreal, you are looking at a company that is a creative partner to Netflix, HBO, Disney, Marvel, Amazon Studios, and Sony. Their recent portfolio includes high-stakes projects like: Stranger Things (Season 4) The Witcher (Season 2) The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season 1) John Wick: Chapter 4 Love, Death and Robots (2023 VES Award Winner) By joining the Rodeo FX community, you aren’t just a “contractor”—you are a collaborator in a culture that values agility, kindness, and extreme creativity. Core Responsibilities: Mastering the Art of Motion As a Freelance Animation Artist, your mission is to deliver hyper-realistic performances. Rodeo FX is known for “invisible” VFX and stunning creature work, meaning your attention to detail must be second to none. 1. Craft & Performance Polish & Precision: You must deliver animation that is production-ready, requiring minimal oversight. This includes mastering weight, arcs, and timing to create a sense of reality. Versatility: You will be expected to jump between realistic creature locomotion and nuanced facial acting for humanoids or stylized characters. 2. Creative Storytelling Reference Interpretation: You will analyze reference footage (live-action or animal) and translate those mechanics into the digital rig. Contribution: You are encouraged to propose motion choices that enhance the shot’s emotional impact. Rodeo FX values artists who think like cinematographers and actors. 3. Technical Excellence Maya Proficiency: You must have an expert-level grasp of Autodesk Maya. Pipeline Integrity: Maintain strict naming conventions and file structures. Your work must be “downstream-friendly” for Lighting and FX departments. Troubleshooting: Actively work with the Rigging team to identify limitations in character rigs and propose technical fixes. Qualifications & Requirements To qualify for this tier of rodeo fx jobs montreal, candidates must demonstrate a high level of professional maturity: Minimum Experience: 6+ years in a professional VFX or Animation studio. Technical Portfolio: A demo reel that showcases a strong understanding of body mechanics, weight, and facial nuance. Independence: As a freelancer, you must be highly autonomous, managing your deadlines and deliverables with minimal hand-holding. Communication: Fluent professional communication in English (French is an asset in the Montreal studio but often not a hard requirement for technical animation roles). Tools: Proficient in Maya; experience with ShotGrid is highly preferred for tracking shots and feedback. The Freelancer Experience at Rodeo FX Rodeo FX has built a robust “Freelancer Community.” Unlike many studios where contractors feel isolated, Rodeo integrates its freelance talent into the creative fabric of the project. Remote Work Dynamics The studio utilizes high-end remote desktop solutions to ensure that latency is minimized. This allows you to work from your home setup while accessing the immense processing power of the Rodeo FX render farm and servers. Dailies & Feedback You will participate in regular virtual dailies. The culture is built on “Stay Collaborative” and “Stay Cool”—meaning feedback is direct, constructive, and … Read more