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Animation Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Netflix

Assistant Editor- Ink

Los Gatos, CA · On-site

$55.27/hr

The Assistant Editor should have a strong grasp of animation workflows and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the editorial project in support of the editorial team. In this role, you ...

Valid8 Financial, Inc.

Assistant Controller

Corona, CA · On-site

$112.50 - $137.50/hr

We aim to promote, celebrate, and educate the public about Japanese animation, manga, video games, and traditional culture. We are currently looking for an Assistant Controller to join our team. This ...

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Skydance Media

Associate Costume Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$92.30 - $103.32/hr

The ideal candidate brings prior experience in animation visual development, has a passion for how costume design enhances storytelling, and is highly detail orientated. Responsibilities * Assist in ...

New

Omnicom

Assistant Analyst, Biddable

Burbank, CA · Hybrid

... Disney Animation Studios, 20thCentury, and Searchlight banners. We are also proud to be Disney ... OMG23 | Paid Digital OMG23 is looking for an Assistant Analyst, Biddable to support the day-to-day ...

Omnicom

Assistant Analyst, Biddable

Burbank, CA · On-site

... Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, 20th Century, and Searchlight banners. We are ... OMG23 | Paid Digital OMG23 is looking for an Assistant Analyst, Biddable to support the day-to-day ...

Skydance Media

Costume Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$131.95 - $182/hr

Santa Monica, Los Angeles Skydance Animation Skydance Animation is seeking a Costume Designer to ... Oversee Costume Design Assistants; distribute assignments, make corrections, give notes, track ...

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Animation Assistant information

What is an animation assistant?

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 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 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.

How to get an animation assistant job with no experience?

To get an animation assistant job with no experience, focus on building foundational skills in animation software like Adobe After Effects or Toon Boom, and create a portfolio of personal or school projects. Internships, volunteering, or entry-level positions can provide practical experience and help demonstrate your interest and commitment to the field.

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution.

ILM hiring Junior Crowd Technical Director, California

Festybay

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$67.90 - $86.90/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a global leader in visual effects and a subsidiary of Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company, is seeking a Junior Crowd Technical Director (TD) to join our San Francisco studio. This role focuses on bringing life to large‑scale cinematic environments, choreographing the motion of thousands of agents to create realistic, dynamic crowds in movie production.

Industrial Light & Magic provides a competitive compensation package for this position. Base salary is 67,900 – 86,900 USD annually, with eligibility for performance‑based bonuses and long‑term incentive units, along with comprehensive medical, dental, vision, 401(k), life and disability insurance and Disney “Cast Member” perks.

Shot Production and Choreography
  • Behavior Animation: Choreograph crowd motion and behavior in entry‑level shots, ensuring characters avoid obstacles, interact logically, and follow scene flow.
  • Motion Blending: Manage animation cycles, creating blending motions to guarantee smooth transitions between actions such as walking to running.
  • Visual Diversity: Use motion libraries and character variations to avoid repetition, varying heights, clothing colors, and animation offsets.
Technical Pipeline Development
  • Houdini Workflow: Assist in developing and refining Houdini workflows, creating and modifying Digital Assets (HDAs) for use by the broader crowd team.
  • Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve technical bugs within the crowd pipeline, ensuring accurate data transfer from animation to lighting and rendering departments.
  • Scripting: Support automation of tasks using Houdini/VEX or Python to increase department efficiency.
Team Collaboration and Communication
  • Cross‑Discipline Synergy: Communicate with rigging, animation, and compositing artists to ensure crowd assets are integrated correctly.
  • Dailies and Feedback: Attend daily production meetings, present progress, and quickly apply constructive artistic and technical feedback from supervisors.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Document new processes and share findings with the wider team.
Qualifications
  • Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Graphics, Traditional Animation, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
  • Professional Background: Minimum of 2 years of relevant VFX experience with a related degree, or at least 3 years of professional VFX experience in a production environment.
  • Houdini Proficiency: Strong foundational knowledge of Houdini and its crowd‑specific toolsets (State Machines, Agent nodes, etc.).
  • OS Environment: Proficiency in Linux, the primary operating system for our production pipeline.
  • Cinematic Eye: Deep understanding of composition, weight, and timing to achieve film‑quality simulations.
Preferred “Nice to Have” Skills
  • Scripting: Proficiency in VEX (Houdini’s language) or Python for tool creation.
  • Secondary Simulations: Experience with cloth or hair simulations for crowd agents.
  • Animation Knowledge: Working knowledge of Maya and character rigging; ability to understand how skeletal data affects crowd agents.
  • Observational Skills: Keen eye for natural human movement, flocking, and group dynamics.
Diversity and Equal Opportunity

ILM and The Walt Disney Company are committed to creating a diverse environment. Lucasfilm is an equal‑opportunity employer and we do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability.

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