3D Character Modeler Job at Brown Bag Films – (Toronto, Canada)

Company: Brown Bag Films
Department: Production
Employment Type: Full-Time Contract
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Salary: $60,000 – $70,000 per year
Work Eligibility: Must be legally eligible to work in Canada and reside in Ontario.

As a Character Modeler, you will be responsible for creating stylised digital maquettes and production-ready character models that match the visual style and artistic requirements of the project.

Reporting to the Character Modelling Supervisor, you will contribute to the complete character modelling workflow, including digital sculpting, retopology, technical modelling and facial blend shape creation.

You will collaborate with Art Directors, internal production teams and external studios to ensure character assets meet artistic and technical standards while supporting downstream rigging and animation requirements.

This role requires a balance of artistic ability, technical modelling expertise and an understanding of production pipelines.

Job Overview : Character Modeler

About Brown Bag Films

At Brown Bag Films, our motto is simple: “We Love Animation™.” We put our artists at the heart of everything we do and are passionate about creating high-quality, engaging animated content for children and families around the world.

We believe memorable characters are essential to great storytelling. Our creative teams work together to develop appealing characters and bring unique visual styles to life.

Brown Bag Films is looking for a talented Character Modeler to join our production team in Toronto. This is a technical character modelling role with a particular focus on facial blend shapes, retopology and production-ready character assets.

If you have a strong understanding of stylised character modelling and enjoy working closely with rigging and animation teams, we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities as Character Modeler

• Create stylised digital character maquettes with strong visual appeal and consistency with the project’s established art direction.
• Sculpt and develop high-quality digital character models.
• Retopologise character assets to meet production requirements.
• Create and assemble technical character models and supporting assets.
• Develop appealing facial blend shape sets that support rigging and animation workflows.
• Collaborate with Art Directors to establish, develop and maintain the visual style of the production.
• Prepare character sculpts and detailed launch notes to guide external studios in character modelling and blend shape production.
• Review technical character models and facial blend shapes delivered by external production partners.
• Provide clear artistic and technical feedback to outsourced teams.
• Ensure delivered character assets meet project specifications and quality standards.
• Monitor modelling and blend shape production schedules.
• Communicate technical challenges, workflow bottlenecks and production concerns to the production team and Head of Characters.
• Complete assigned tasks within agreed production timelines and handle revisions efficiently.

Key Deliverables

• Stylised digital character sculpts and maquettes.
• Production-ready character technical models.
• Character retopology and modelling assembly assets.
• Facial blend shape sets.
• Technical modelling documentation and launch notes.
• Reviewed and approved outsourced character assets.

Required Qualifications & Skills for Character Modeler

• Professional experience working as a Character Modeler or in a similar character modelling position.
• Experience in broadcast animation, television production or feature film environments.
• Strong understanding of character topology requirements for animation and rigging.
• Ability to create and edit production-ready character models.
• Strong knowledge of Autodesk Maya and ZBrush.
• Understanding of digital sculpting, retopology and character modelling workflows.
• Experience creating facial blend shapes for character animation.
• Understanding of facial deformation requirements and how blend shapes support rigging and animation.
• Ability to create stylised characters that maintain the artistic direction of a production.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to respond effectively to feedback and revisions.
• Good communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work within production schedules and meet delivery deadlines.

Preferred Skills (Nice to Have)

• Experience working with asset tracking and production management systems such as ShotGrid (formerly Shotgun).
• Experience collaborating with external modelling or outsourcing studios.
• Familiarity with character rigging and animation production pipelines.
• Experience reviewing outsourced character models and facial blend shapes.
• Strong understanding of technical character modelling workflows.

Salary & Benefits

Salary Range: $60,000 – $70,000 per year.

The final salary offer will depend on several factors, including:

• Professional experience.
• Technical skills and expertise.
• Relevant qualifications.
• Educational background.

Employees also receive a competitive benefits package, including:

• Comprehensive employee benefits.
• Paid vacation.
• Health and wellness days.

Location & Work Eligibility for Character Modeler role

Office Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Employment Type: Full-Time Contract.

Important Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
• Applicants must have Ontario residency.

Diversity & Inclusion

The company is committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion throughout its recruitment process.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including Indigenous peoples, racialised communities, LGBT2SQ+ communities, people of different ages and religious beliefs, and individuals with disabilities.

The studio believes that children’s entertainment should represent diverse characters and perspectives so that audiences feel included and represented.

It is equally committed to building a diverse workforce where individual identities, experiences and perspectives are respected and valued.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and interview process to support their participation and success in performing the essential responsibilities of the role.

Application Information

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to apply. Due to the volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

If you’re passionate about stylised character modelling, digital sculpting and creating production-ready character assets, this is an opportunity to contribute to high-quality animated productions.