Senior Character Animator at Little Zoo Studio

Little Zoo Studio isn’t just an animation house; it’s a boutique sanctuary for world-class character performance. We are a collective of veteran artists who transitioned from the traditional “big studio” grind to create a more focused, artist-centric environment. At Little Zoo, we specialize in high-end character animation for feature films, high-budget commercials, and cinematic game trailers.

We are currently expanding our core team and are looking for a Senior Character Animator who lives and breathes performance. This is a role for someone who understands that animation isn’t just about movement—it’s about the thought process behind the movement.

Job Overview: Character Animator

The Little Zoo Philosophy

Our studio was founded on the principle that the best work comes from happy, inspired artists. We avoid the “factory line” approach to production. When you take on a shot at Little Zoo, you “own” that performance. You are expected to bring your unique creative voice to the table, collaborating directly with directors to breathe life into digital puppets.

We are “The Zoo” because we embrace the wild, the creative, and the diverse. We are looking for a Senior Animator who can lead by example, maintaining a standard of excellence that inspires the rest of the team.

Detailed Job Description & Responsibilities

As a Senior Character Animator at Little Zoo Studio, your daily workflow will involve more than just moving controls in Maya. You will be a key architect of the film’s emotional narrative.

1. High-Level Character Performance

You will be tasked with the most challenging shots in the production—those requiring deep emotional range, subtle micro-expressions, or complex physical choreography. You must be able to translate a director’s verbal brief into a performance that feels authentic and spontaneous.

2. Technical Excellence in Body Mechanics

While acting is paramount, it must be supported by flawless mechanics. You will ensure that weight, balance, arcs, and timing are mathematically sound yet artistically pleasing. Your work will serve as the benchmark for junior and mid-level animators.

3. Remote Collaboration & Leadership

Being a remote studio, communication is our most vital tool. You will participate in “Virtual Dailies,” where you will present your work, receive feedback with a positive attitude, and occasionally mentor less experienced animators on how to polish their sequences.

4. Pipeline Integration

Working within our refined Maya-based pipeline, you will collaborate with the Rigging and Technical Art departments to provide feedback on character rigs, ensuring they meet the needs of a high-end feature production.

Requirements: What You Bring to the Little Zoo Studio

We are looking for a “specialist among specialists.” To thrive at Little Zoo, you must meet the following criteria:

• The 100% Keyframe Standard: We do not use MoCap for our feature projects. You must demonstrate the ability to create organic, lifelike motion entirely by hand.

• Feature Film Credit: You must have at least one significant credit on a released animated feature film or high-end VFX-heavy live-action feature.

• Maya Expert: You should know Maya like the back of your hand. We expect you to be comfortable with Graph Editor workflows, custom scripts, and complex character hierarchies.

• Acting Foundations: A strong background in traditional acting or pantomime is a massive plus. We look for animators who film their own reference and understand the “why” behind a character’s choices.

• The Professional Remote Setup: Since this is a permanent remote position, you must have a dedicated workspace, a high-speed stable internet connection, and the discipline to manage your time across different time zones (primarily focused on North American and European production hours).

• Language & Soft Skills: Professional-level English is required. You must be able to explain complex creative concepts clearly and concisely.

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Beyond the Script: Perks & Culture

Working at Little Zoo Studio comes with a unique set of benefits that go beyond the paycheck:

• The “No-Crunch” Commitment: We plan our productions meticulously to avoid the burnout common in the industry. We value your mental health as much as your keyframes.

• Global Community: You will work with artists from every corner of the globe. This diversity of thought and culture enriches our stories and our workplace.

• Work-from-Home Stipend: We provide an annual budget for “Home Office Wellness,” which can be used for ergonomic chairs, standing desks, or even coffee subscriptions to keep your creativity fueled.

• Proprietary Tools: Access to Little Zoo’s internal library of animation tools and scripts designed to shave hours off your technical tasks.

• The Talent Database: We are always looking for folks from all disciplines (Layout, Lighting, Rigging). Even if you aren’t an animator, submitting your info via our link gets you into our “Working Database,” which we check first before posting any public job ads.

How to Join the Zoo

We’ve streamlined our application process to respect your time.

• Step 1: The Reel Review Submit a link to your latest demo reel. Please ensure your reel highlights acting and body mechanics. Password-protected links (Vimeo/SyncSketch) are perfectly acceptable—just remember to provide the password!
• Step 2: The Interview If your work aligns with our current project’s style, we’ll hop on a video call. This isn’t a high-pressure interrogation; it’s a conversation about your process, your inspirations, and how you like to work.
• Step 3: Onboarding Once the paperwork is signed, we ship you any necessary hardware (if required) and get you integrated into our Slack and ShotGrid ecosystems.

A Note on General Applications: Not a Senior Animator? No problem. Little Zoo Studio is always looking for talented folks across all disciplines. We keep a working database of many positions not on this list. Please feel free to send us your information via the general application link on our careers page. We’d love to have you in our ecosystem for future openings.

Final Thoughts

At Little Zoo Studio, we don’t just hire resumes; we hire people. We want to see your passion for the craft and your desire to create something that will stay with an audience long after the credits roll. If you are ready to do the best work of your career from the comfort of your own home, we can’t wait to meet you.