Senior Animator

Company Overview

      ICON Creative Studio is Canada’s largest independently owned animation entertainment company, located in the historic Gastown district of Vancouver, BC. Our talented team includes specialists across the entire animation pipeline, working alongside creative and management professionals to deliver outstanding animated content.

Known for our commitment to quality, efficiency, and timely deliveries, ICON has partnered with distributors, broadcasters, and leading streaming platforms worldwide to create and produce noteworthy, impactful projects.

We operate from a holistic philosophy, leveraging the unique skill sets of our team members to maximize production efficiency while maintaining an optimal balance of creativity and quality on-screen.

Why Work at ICON?

• Collaborate on top-tier feature and episodic CG franchises for major streaming platforms, including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Amazon, Peacock, and Paramount+.
• Be part of a diverse team of artists from around the globe who have joined us here in British Columbia.
• Work with the latest tools and software, ensuring you're always equipped to do your best work.
• Be part of a studio that upholds a premium standard of quality across all productions, putting every resource into what’s on-screen.
• Enjoy flexibility, autonomy, and a supportive workplace culture.
• Access direct deposit and a generous benefits package.
• Grow with us through continuous learning opportunities, mentorship, and empowering you to achieve your professional goals.
• We offer a competitive total rewards package that includes comprehensive extended health, dental, vision, prescription drug, and paramedical coverage, and access to mental health and wellness resources. Employees also enjoy a pet-friendly studio, an onsite gym, and regular social events that bring teams together both virtually and in person. 

SENIOR ANIMATOR (Adult Series) 

Job Overview

     As a Senior Animator, you’ll bring top-tier character performance and believable body mechanics to a highly ambitious adult animated series that features painterly, cinematic visuals. You’ll tackle complex, visually driven sequences that demand mastery of realistic movement, acting, posing, timing, and visual storytelling. You’ll set and uphold the artistic standard of the series, mentor Intermediate and Junior Animators, and work closely with Directors and Supervisors to realize the creative vision. This role is for artists who push boundaries and want their work to define the benchmark.

Key Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate mastery in animation techniques, consistently delivering top-tier work that exceeds established quality standards.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior and/or intermediate animators, sharing insights, techniques, and best practices to enhance the overall skill level of the team.
• Take a comprehensive view of the animation process, ensuring a cohesive and seamless flow across complex sequences, technically challenging shots, and larger group animations.
• Uphold a deep understanding of the show's unique style, ensuring all animations align with and enhance the established artistic vision.
•  Streamline the shot approval process by leveraging your experience to address feedback promptly, minimizing the need for revisions.
• Implement and advocate for efficient scene organization and workflows, optimizing productivity and collaboration within the animation team.
• Oversee and maintain shot continuity, ensuring a consistent visual narrative throughout your shots/sequence that aligns with the surrounding sequences.
• Take a proactive approach to solving complex animation challenges, demonstrating the ability to troubleshoot efficiently and communicate solutions effectively.
• Collaborate effectively with the Lead Animator, Animation Director, and Animation Supervisor, contributing valuable insights and fostering a positive and productive working environment.
• Actively contribute to the ongoing improvement of the animation process, identifying and addressing larger issues in assets to elevate the overall quality of the production.

Requirements:

• More than 3 years of work experience in 3D animation using MAYA in a series or film production.
• A strong background as a Lead in feature or series CG character animation..
• Quadruped animation’s experience recommended.
• Comfortable with filming reference footage and using the reference footage.
• Ability to work within an established pipeline and learn to use custom tools.
• Ability to understand and interpret effectively a storyboard and the Director’s feedback and be able to give direction to a team.
• Have good teaching skills, be a mentor, and technically and artistically develop the team.
• Ability to work well in a team and excellent communication skills.

This is a Union position and the terms and conditions of employment are covered by a collective agreement.

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In accordance with British Columbia's pay transparency legislation, the wage displayed reflects the minimum rate established under ICON's collective agreement. Additional compensation may be considered based on experience, qualifications, and project needs, where permitted by the collective agreement.

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ICON Creative Studio is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

- More than 3 years of work experience in 3D animation using MAYA in series or film production. - A strong background as a Lead in feature or series CG character animation. - Quadruped animation experience recommended. - Comfortable with filming and using reference footage. - Ability to work within an established pipeline and learn custom tools. - Ability to understand and interpret storyboards and Director's feedback, and provide team direction. - Good teaching skills and ability to mentor and develop a team technically and artistically. - Ability to work well in a team with excellent communication skills.