Framestore is hiring Lead Animator

As a world-renowned, Oscar-winning creative studio, Framestore sits at the absolute pinnacle of visual effects, animation, and immersive entertainment. We bring extraordinary stories, creatures, and worlds to life for blockbuster films and high-end streaming projects.

Operating on a flexible hybrid basis out of our thriving hub in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, we are currently seeking an accomplished, visionary Lead Animator to join our team on a full-time basis. If you possess a masterful eye for physical motion, a proven track record of inspiring artists, and a desire to shape high-end cinematic VFX, this hybrid opportunity is your chance to lead world-class creative output.

Role Overview: Guiding Creative Excellence

As a Lead Animator at Framestore, you will act as the vital bridge between your animation team, production management, and show supervisors. You will guide, inspire, and mentor a talented group of artists dedicated to crafting compelling motion and performance for complex 3D characters, creatures, objects, and massive crowds in tentpole VFX films.

Your role goes beyond artistic execution; you will manage communication channels, solve creative roadblocks, oversee task assignments in tandem with the Animation Supervisor, and step in as deputy supervisor when required. By maintaining rigorous workflow templates, partnering with technology teams, and leading dailies feedback sessions, you will ensure our animation standards remain second to none.

Job Summary : Lead Animator

✨Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Guide, inspire, and coach animators, supporting their ongoing professional development and technical growth.
• Cross-Department Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact between the animation team, production coordinators, and creative supervisors.
• Task Management: Allocate and oversee daily animation tasks in close partnership with the Animation Supervisor.
• Technical Problem Solving: Anticipate and resolve the technical and creative hurdles facing the team’s pipeline.
• Supervisory Backup: Act as deputy for the Animation Supervisor during high-pressure milestones or absences.
• Pipeline Maintenance: Establish, maintain, and share workflow templates, technical documentation, and best practices.
• Tooling Collaboration: Work directly with internal technology teams to ensure show-specific tools are configured and operating efficiently.
• Dailies & Feedback: Lead dailies sessions, present team outputs clearly, and deliver constructive creative feedback.
• Culture & Conflict Resolution: Foster cross-departmental collaboration and proactively resolve any creative or interpersonal friction.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Leadership Experience: Proven, demonstrable experience leading, guiding, or mentoring animation teams within professional production environments.
• Software Mastery: Comprehensive, advanced knowledge of Maya and high-end production animation pipelines.
• Foundational Expertise: A rock-solid understanding of physical motion, weight distribution, balance, form, and anatomy (both human and animal).
• Pipeline & Rigging Knowledge: Deep familiarity with character rigs, data transfer protocols between tools, and multi-app animation pipelines.
• Resilience & Organization: Outstanding organizational skills with the ability to thrive under intense pressure, adapt to fast-paced changes, and hit strict deadlines.
• Technical Skillset: Working knowledge of modeling principles, rigging frameworks, and Mel/Python scripting.
• Versatility: Proven exposure to life drawing techniques and motion capture (mocap) cleaning/integration workflows.

🌟 Desirable Skills

• Background in traditional animation or fine art.

Diversity, Inclusion & Equal Opportunity

Framestore is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We warmly welcome creative talent across all genders, races, nationalities, abilities, and backgrounds. All applicants are treated fairly and equitably, and professional accommodations are fully available throughout the recruitment process. Bring your leadership and passion for motion to Framestore and help us build cinematic magic!