Website Eyeline
Job Overview
- Company Name: Eyeline Studios (A Netflix-Invested Global Studio)
- Job Title: Creature Animator
- Job Type: Fixed-Term / Contract
- Work Model: Hybrid (Onsite in Los Angeles / Remote flexibility)
- Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Annual Salary Range: $120,000 — $160,000
- Experience Level: Intermediate to Senior (4+ years preferred)
- Core Software: Autodesk Maya (Required)
- Industry: Visual Effects (VFX) / Virtual Production
Executive Position Summary
Eyeline is seeking a highly skilled and artistically driven Creature Animator to join our premier visual effects team in Los Angeles. This role is designed for an animator who excels at breathing life into complex digital beings, ensuring they integrate seamlessly into high-end live-action environments. At Eyeline, we don’t just move models; we craft performances that resonate with audiences and push the technical boundaries of what is possible in modern cinema.
As a Creature Animator, you will be a key contributor to our global team of “risk-takers and perfectionists.” You will be responsible for the nuances of physical motion, weight, and anatomy, working under the guidance of world-class Animation Supervisors to deliver sequences that are indistinguishable from reality. This is a chance to work within a studio backed by significant investment from Netflix, utilizing a cutting-edge pipeline to define the future of virtual production and visual effects.
About Eyeline: The Intersection of Art and Technology
Eyeline is more than a VFX house; it is a global creative spine consisting of three core pillars: VFX, Studios, and Labs. We partner with the world’s most ambitious storytellers to turn bold visions into stunning realities. Our philosophy is simple: technology should serve artistry, and our people are the soul behind every frame.
Through a strategic investment from Netflix, Eyeline has fortified its infrastructure and workforce, allowing us to pioneer new methodologies in virtual production. While we share a deep connection with Netflix, we remain a diverse partner to major studios and independent creators worldwide. We value “coming as you are”—we look for passion, a willingness to take risks, and a commitment to craft above all else.
Core Responsibilities
1. Performance and Motion Generation
Character Realism: Generate high-quality animation for characters, creatures, and objects that must live within a live-action plate. This requires an uncompromising focus on the “uncanny valley,” ensuring that creature behavior is grounded in real-world physics.
Artistic Execution: Work under the direct mentorship and supervision of Animation Leads to translate storyboards and director notes into nuanced digital performances.
Anatomical Accuracy: Apply deep knowledge of human and animal anatomy to ensure rigs move naturally, respecting bone structure, muscle tension, and skin sliding.
2. Technical Problem Solving
Collaborative Debugging: Identify and solve technical and artistic bottlenecks within the animation pipeline. You will be expected to “debug” your own scenes and collaborate with the Rigging and Pipeline departments to resolve complex issues.
System Maintenance: Follow established studio workflows while suggesting improvements to tools and scripts that can enhance the efficiency of the animation team.
3. Production and Deadline Management
Workflow Liaison: Communicate effectively with upstream (Layout/Matchmove) and downstream (Lighting/Compositing) departments to ensure assets are handed off correctly.
Schedule Discipline: Maintain a rigorous pace to meet production milestones without sacrificing the “perfectionist” quality that Eyeline is known for.
4. Cinematography and Storytelling
Camera Language: Utilize an advanced understanding of camera movement, framing, and lenses. Animators at Eyeline must understand how their performance is affected by focal lengths, perspective, and continuity.
Blocking and Staging: Assist in the early stages of shot development, including Previs (Pre-visualization), to establish the rhythm and flow of a sequence.
Detailed Requirements & Qualifications
Educational & Professional Experience
Education: A Degree or Diploma in 3D Animation, Fine Arts, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent professional experience in a high-volume VFX environment will also be considered.
Industry Tenure: A minimum of four (4) years of experience working specifically on live-action feature films or high-budget episodic content.
Portfolio: A strong demo reel showcasing creature work that demonstrates weight, locomotion, and believable “acting” for non-human entities.
Technical Skill Set
Maya Mastery: Absolute proficiency in Autodesk Maya is a non-negotiable requirement.
Secondary Software: Familiarity with Nuke and 3Ds Max is considered a significant asset, particularly for understanding how animation interacts with the final composite.
Troubleshooting: The ability to navigate complex scene hierarchies and technical glitches independently.
Artistic Competencies
Animation Fundamentals: An expert-level grasp of squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, follow-through, and secondary action.
Physics and Weight: A background in fine arts or life drawing is highly desirable, as it informs a better understanding of center of gravity, balance, and physical momentum.
On-Model Consistency: The discipline to maintain the character’s proportions and “personality” across different sequences and under various lighting conditions.
Soft Skills & Attitude
Adaptability: The film industry is dynamic. We require artists who can pivot when creative directions shift and who maintain a positive, solution-oriented attitude during “crunch” periods.
Communication: Clear, concise communication is essential for our hybrid work model, ensuring that remote and onsite team members stay aligned.
The Los Angeles Advantage: Salary and Benefits
Eyeline offers a competitive compensation package designed to attract the best talent in the industry.
Salary Specifics: For applicants based in Los Angeles, the base salary range is $120,000 to $160,000 per year. Final compensation is determined based on your specific skills, years of experience, and the complexity of your previous portfolio.
Hybrid Flexibility: We recognize the importance of work-life balance. Our Los Angeles office operates on a hybrid model, combining the collaborative energy of our physical studio with the focus and flexibility of remote work.
Creative Environment: Work in one of the world’s most “intriguing cities” for film, surrounded by a team that encourages risk-taking and artistic exploration.
Diversity and Inclusion: “Come As You Are”
At Eyeline, we believe that diversity builds stronger teams and more compelling stories. We are committed to fair and equal treatment for all applicants. Your application will be evaluated solely on your qualifications, your craft, and your passion for storytelling. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.
How to Apply
If you are ready to push the boundaries of creature animation and work on some of the most prestigious projects in the industry, we want to hear from you. Please ensure your application includes:
A Current Resume: Highlighting your experience in live-action VFX.
A Demo Reel Link: Specifically showcasing creature animation (quadrupeds, monsters, or hyper-realistic animals).
A Shot Breakdown: Explaining exactly what you were responsible for in each clip of your reel.
To apply for this job please visit apply.eyelinestudios.com.