Brown Bag Films, a world-renowned, award-winning animation studio, is currently seeking a visionary and technically proficient Animation Director to join our Dublin-based team. At Brown Bag, our philosophy is anchored in a simple yet powerful motto: “We Love Animation™.” We believe that by putting our artists at the heart of our operations, we create the highest quality, most engaging content for children and families across the globe.
As an Animation Director, you will be a key creative pillar within the studio. You will be responsible for upholding the artistic integrity of our projects, ensuring that every movement, expression, and sequence resonates with the “magic” that defines a Brown Bag production.
Animation Director Job Overview
- Company Name: Brown Bag Films
- Vacancy Name: Animation Director
- Salary Range: €52,000 – €56,000
- Job Type: Full-time, 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract
- Office Location: Dublin, Ireland
- Work Model: Hybrid (Minimum 2 days per week in-studio)
- Eligibility: Must have the right to work in Ireland 🇮🇪
The Role: Shaping the Performance
The Animation Director role is a blend of high-level creative oversight and granular technical direction. You are the guardian of the show’s “performance.” While the Director focuses on the overall story and vision, you focus on the soul of the characters—how they move, how they react, and how they tell a story through weight, timing, and appeal.
This is a leadership role that requires a unique ability to inspire both in-house artists and overseas partner studios. You will be tasked with translating abstract creative concepts into actionable, scene-by-scene instructions that maintain a consistent high standard across an entire series.
Detailed Key Responsibilities
1. Creative Leadership & Character Development
Defining the “Bible”: In close collaboration with the Project Director and Lead Animator, you will establish the animation “bible.” This document dictates the specific movement style, physics, and personality traits of every character to ensure consistency across hundreds of minutes of content.
Rigging & Tech-Anim Collaboration: You will be the bridge between the creative and technical departments. This involves approving facial and character rigs with the Lead Rigger and meticulously reviewing blend shapes and morphs to ensure characters can achieve the required range of emotional expressions.
2. Production & Team Management
Overseas Partnership: A significant portion of this role involves directing overseas teams. You will attend regular calls to review work, provide live feedback, and follow up with comprehensive written notes to ensure the project stays on track.
Animation Launches: You will lead the animation launch for each episode. This involves presenting the vision for the episode to the crew, highlighting key performance beats, and setting the expectations for the quality of the work.
Mentorship: As a senior leader, you will provide guidance and professional development to junior and mid-level animators, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
3. Quality Control & Workflow
Scene-by-Scene Direction: You will write detailed, frame-specific animation notes for each episode. Your eye for detail must be sharp enough to catch subtle errors in weight or timing that could break the immersion for the audience.
Budget & Schedule Alignment: While your primary focus is quality, you must work within the practical constraints of the project. You will collaborate with the Director team to deliver the best possible visual results while respecting the project’s budget and delivery timelines.
Comprehensive Requirements
Brown Bag Films is looking for an individual who is not just a master of the craft, but a leader who can navigate the complexities of modern CG production.
Core Knowledge & Sensibility
Artistic Intuition: You must possess a profound animation sensibility—an innate understanding of the principles of animation (squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, etc.) and how they translate into a 3D environment.
Process Knowledge: A deep understanding of the 3D animation pipeline is essential. You need to know how animation interacts with lighting, FX, and rendering to troubleshoot issues before they reach the final stages.
Professional Experience
Industry Veteran: You should have extensive experience in the animation industry, specifically within CG for TV, film, games, or cinematics.
Proven Leadership: Ideally, you have been credited as a Lead Animator (or equivalent) on at least two full series. We need someone who has successfully managed the creative output of a large crew.
Stakeholder Management: You must demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively with production crew, artistic staff, and upper management alike.
Technical Skills
Software Mastery: Expert proficiency in Autodesk Maya is non-negotiable. You should be comfortable navigating complex rigs and troubleshooting technical animation issues within the software.
Qualifications: An Animation Qualification (Degree or Diploma) is highly desirable, though we place equal weight on a world-class portfolio and professional history.
Why Join Brown Bag Dublin?
Our Dublin studio is a vibrant, multicultural hub of creativity. Joining us on a 12-month contract offers the stability of a long-term project and the opportunity to leave your mark on a major production. Our hybrid model ensures you get the best of both worlds: the flexibility of remote work and the high-energy, collaborative environment of our physical studio.
Dublin is a global center for animation, and Brown Bag is at its heart. We offer a competitive salary and the chance to work alongside some of the best technical and creative minds in the industry.
Application Instructions
If you are a passionate storyteller who happens to use Maya as your primary tool, we want to see your work.
Requirements for Application:
A comprehensive CV detailing your experience on long-format CG series.
A showreel that demonstrates a high level of character performance, acting, and physical action.
Proof of eligibility to work in Ireland.
