Flying Bark Productions is a dynamic and innovative animation studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of character animation and storytelling. Join our team and contribute to exciting, high-profile projects, including the Avatar: The Last Airbender feature film, Netflix’s Ghostbusters animated series, Stranger Things animated series, and our own production, Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan.
We are seeking a talented and experienced 3D Animator to join our Sydney studio.
Job Details
- Location: Sydney, New South Wales (Hybrid)
- Studio: Flying Bark Productions
- Employment Type: Full-Time (Hybrid)
- Experience Required: Minimum 4+ years production experience
- Key Projects: Avatar: The Last Airbender (Feature Film), Netflix’s Ghostbusters (Series), Stranger Things (Animated Series)
The Role: 3D Animator
The 3D Animator is integral to the success of our projects, primarily responsible for breathing life into characters with an emphasis on enhancing the story and forging a strong audience connection with the narrative.
Key Responsibilities
- Create high-quality character animation that elevates both facial performance and body mechanics.
- Work to, and maintain, the creative and technical animation requirements set by the Animation Director.
- Adhere to the production and shot schedule provided by the Production Company.
- Collaborate effectively with the animation team to achieve the Executive Producer’s vision.
- Rough out animation blocking for review, then revise and polish shots to completion.
- Apply feedback from the Director and Lead Animator effectively and efficiently.
- Interpret verbal or visual creative briefs accurately and successfully.
About You: Required Skills & Experience
The ideal candidate is a passionate storyteller with a proven track record in high-end 3D production.
- Experience: Minimum of 4+ years production experience in 3D animated films and/or episodic series.
- Portfolio/Reel: Demo Reels must showcase excellent facial performance and body mechanics.
- Aesthetic: Portfolios with mature, stylized, and anime-inspired animation are highly preferred (e.g., in the vein of Spider-Verse, Entergalactic, Arcane, The Witness [Love, Death, Robots]).
- Core Skills:
- Strong sense of narrative storytelling, comic timing, and emotive visual language.
- Excellent experience with character animation, including lip sync and key posing in a CG environment.
- Proficiency with keyframe animation and strong fundamentals (posing, timing, pacing).
- Solid understanding of the principles of animation.
- Technical
- Solid experience and understanding of Maya in a production-based environment.
- Solid knowledge of animation workflows, character rigs, and storyboard interpretation.
- Experience creating animated sequences of characters, objects, and cameras.
- Soft Skills:
- Ability to consistently meet deadlines and quickly problem-solve.
- Excellent communication skills and a team-oriented mindset.
- Flexible, responsive to change, and able to work both independently and under direct supervision.
- Bonus: 2D animation experience is non-essential but a definite advantage.
Why Join the Barkers? Our Perks
Flying Bark Productions is a renowned independent producer of award-winning family-focused animation entertainment. We invest in our people and our culture.
- Studio Facilities: Industry-leading studio space in Alexandria, complete with a cinema, Zen Garden, games room, and state-of-the-art facilities.
- Work Arrangement: Hybrid work approach with flexible work-from-home days on offer.
- Culture & Wellbeing:
- Daily catered Breakfast provided.
- Regular social events: cake days, movie nights, wrap parties, and a culture club.
- Dog-friendly studio environment and a dedicated charity arm (‘Paws for a Cause’).
- Access to mental health resources and free counselling via our Employee Assistance Provider, Support Act.
- Development: Commitment to career development, training, and support opportunities.
