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Animation Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

DreamWorks Animation

Music Assistant

Glendale, CA · On-site

$47K - $60K/yr

Company Description DreamWorks Animation is looking for more adventurous dreamers who shoot for the ... The Music Assistant supports the Music Team in the day-to-day execution of the music production ...

Canyons School District

$89.24/hr

Animation Opening Date: 09/22/2023 Description We are now accepting applications for the Adjunct ... Part-time faculty positions offer flexible hours and the opportunity to assist a diverse group of ...

Aquent

Sr. UI Animator / Motion Designer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$81 - $91/hr

Nice to Have * 3D Animation/Design experience. * Basic coding or scripting knowledge to assist in building high-fidelity prototypes. * Experience designing motion systems for complex interactive ...

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All JobsAnimation JobsAnimation Assistant JobsAnimation Assistant Jobs in California

Animation Assistant information

Are animators still in demand?

Animators are still in demand in industries such as film, television, gaming, and advertising, especially as digital media continues to grow. Skills in software like Adobe After Effects, Maya, or Blender, along with a strong portfolio, can improve job prospects in this competitive field.

What do assistant animators do?

Assistant animators support lead animators by preparing scenes, creating in-between frames, and maintaining animation files. They often use software like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom and may assist with background work or character rigging to ensure smooth production workflows.

How to get an animation job with no experience?

To get an animation assistant position with no experience, build a portfolio showcasing your basic skills using software like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom. Pursuing relevant courses or certifications can also demonstrate your commitment and help you develop foundational knowledge, increasing your chances of entry-level employment in the field.

How much do you get paid as a production assistant?

As an animation assistant or production assistant, the average pay ranges from $15 to $25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the project. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants working on larger productions can earn higher wages, often with opportunities for overtime and benefits.

What are Animation Assistants?

Animation Assistants are professionals who support animators and animation teams in creating animated films, television shows, video games, and other multimedia projects. Their responsibilities often include cleaning up rough animations, preparing backgrounds, managing files, and assisting with in-between frames. Animation Assistants help ensure the animation process runs smoothly by handling various technical and organizational tasks. They are essential in maintaining the production schedule and supporting the creative vision of the lead animators.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animation Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animation Assistant, you need a foundational understanding of animation principles, drawing skills, and a relevant degree or coursework in animation or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, or Autodesk Maya is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with the animation team are critical soft skills for this role. These capabilities ensure the smooth execution of animation projects, support the creative process, and help deliver high-quality visual content on schedule.

What is the difference between Animation Assistant vs Graphic Designer?

AspectAnimation AssistantGraphic Designer
Required SkillsBasic animation software, understanding of animation principlesDesign software, visual communication skills
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, media companiesAdvertising agencies, print and digital media
Typical TasksAssist in creating animations, support senior animatorsDesign logos, layouts, visual branding
CredentialsDiploma or certificate in animation or related fieldDegree in graphic design or visual arts

While both roles involve visual creativity, an Animation Assistant primarily supports animation projects with technical skills in animation software, whereas a Graphic Designer focuses on visual branding and static designs. The roles often overlap in creative environments, but their core responsibilities and skill sets differ.

What are the most common challenges Animation Assistants face when working on fast-paced productions?

Animation Assistants often work under tight deadlines, which can make time management and maintaining high-quality work challenging. They may need to quickly adapt to changing project requirements or feedback from senior animators and directors. Staying organized while juggling multiple tasks, such as cleaning up animation frames and preparing assets for the animation pipeline, is crucial. Collaborating closely with other team members also requires strong communication skills to ensure consistency and meet production goals.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animation jobs in California? The most popular types of Animation jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Animation Assistant jobs in California? For Animation Assistant jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animation Assistant jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Animation Assistant jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Animation Assistant jobs? Cities in California with the most Animation Assistant job openings:
Animation Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animation Assistant job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% As Needed, 33% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 66% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 31% Remote job distribution.
Assistant Editor - Features

Assistant Editor - Features

Sony Pictures Animation

Los Angeles, CA

$2.4K - $2.8K/wk

Other

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Assistant Editor, Feature Animation

The Assistant Editor is responsible for technical and organizational editorial work from pre-production through post production. Assistant Editor is responsible for maintaining an efficient editorial pipeline and assisting editors. This Motion Picture Editors Guild position is covered by the Sony Pictures Animation Agreement. 

Sony Pictures Animation is a pre-production animation studio based in Los Angeles, California, creating both feature animation and animated series with artists from around the world. We pride ourselves on empowering filmmakers to lead the creative process, and allowing the hand of the artist to be truly felt, with the goal of producing bold and innovative visual storytelling.

Responsibilities:
  • Maintain Avid project and keep files organized.
  • Manage and process storyboards using Flix. Also import layout, animation, and lighting shots.
  • Import, log and prep dialogue recordings for editors: scratch dialogue, production recording sessions and ADR.
  • Ingesting assets from sound dept, music dept, etc, and keeping them organized
  • Output movie files for various uses including turnovers for sound department, digital intermediate, and music departments.
  • Organizing sound effects and music.
  • Assist the editors with Avid builds in preparation for screenings and QC of outputs.
  • Responsible for publishing to production including managing EDLs and change notes.
  • Provide information to production that is timely and accurate.
Qualifications:
  • 1-2 years experience in animation editorial.
  • High degree of proficiency in Avid Media Composer.
  • Excellent organization skills with great attention to detail.
  • Understanding of feature animation pipeline and workflows.
  • Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines while working under tight schedules.
  • Strong teammate with good interpersonal and interpersonal skills.
  • After Effects, Photoshop, ProTools experience a plus.

The anticipated base salary for this position is $2,400/week to $2,800/week. This role qualifies for benefits pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors.

To apply, please include a resume and a link to your portfolio. Please make sure to include any passwords to your work in your cover letter and/or in your resume.

Sony Pictures Animation is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

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