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Contract Animation Background Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IGT

Animator

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$114K - $141K/yr

You'll shape the look, feel, and energy of our games-owning animation from concept to final polish ... Collaborate with designers, engineers, and artists to define and execute creative vision * Bring ...

Progressive Gaming

Animator

Reno, NV · On-site +1

$114K - $141K/yr

You'll shape the look, feel, and energy of our games-owning animation from concept to final polish ... Collaborate with designers, engineers, and artists to define and execute creative vision * Bring ...

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All JobsContract Animation Background Artist Jobs

Contract Animation Background Artist information

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How much do contract animation background artist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract animation background artist in the United States is $24.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Animation Background Artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Animation Background Artist, you need strong artistic ability, a keen eye for detail, proficiency in color theory, and a solid portfolio demonstrating experience in animation or illustration. Familiarity with digital painting tools like Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or similar software is essential, and experience with animation pipelines or asset management systems is highly valued. Creativity, adaptability, and the ability to collaborate effectively with directors and other artists help you stand out in this position. These skills ensure the delivery of visually compelling backgrounds that support storytelling and maintain consistency within animated productions.

What are some common workflow challenges for contract animation background artists, and how can they be addressed?

Contract animation background artists often face tight deadlines and the need to quickly adapt to different art styles across multiple projects or studios. Communication can be challenging, especially when working remotely with directors or animation teams spread across various locations. To overcome these challenges, it's important to establish clear channels for feedback, maintain organized file management, and proactively seek clarification on project expectations. Regular check-ins and sharing work-in-progress updates can help ensure alignment and smooth collaboration.

What are Contract Animation Background Artists?

Contract Animation Background Artists are professionals who create the visual environments and backgrounds for animated films, TV shows, and other media on a project-by-project basis. They are usually hired temporarily to work on specific productions, providing detailed and stylistically appropriate backgrounds that enhance the storytelling and overall aesthetic of the animation. These artists collaborate closely with art directors, animators, and other team members to ensure consistency with the project's visual style. Their work is crucial in setting the mood, tone, and context for animated scenes. Contract positions allow studios flexibility in scaling their teams according to project needs.

What is the difference between Contract Animation Background Artist vs Contract Character Animator?

AspectContract Animation Background ArtistContract Character Animator
Required SkillsDrawing, painting, digital art, environment designCharacter movement, acting, rigging, facial expressions
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, freelance projects, post-productionAnimation studios, freelance, post-production
Industry UsageFilm, TV, video games, commercialsFilm, TV, video games, commercials

Both roles require strong artistic skills and familiarity with animation software. The main difference lies in their focus: background artists create environments and settings, while character animators bring characters to life through movement. Understanding these distinctions helps employers and artists identify the right fit for specific projects.

More about Contract Animation Background Artist jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Animation Background Artist jobs? Cities with the most Contract Animation Background Artist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Animation Background Artist jobs? The most popular types of Animation Background Artist jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Animation Background Artist jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Animation Background Artist jobs include:
Contract Animation Background Artist jobs near you
Senior Cinematic Animator

Senior Cinematic Animator

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE)

Cheyenne, WY

$76.92 - $86.06/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Summary:Responsible for creating high-quality in-game cinematics that meet the visual and performance standards established by the Animation Director. This role involves driving the cinematic process from script interpretation and scene layout through final implementation in the game engine.

Essential Duties and Responsibilitiesinclude the following:

  • Develop high-quality cinematic animation content using both motion capture and hand-key techniques, ensuring alignment with schedule and performance benchmarks.
  • Collaborate closely with Animation Directors and Lead Animators to design cinematics that reflect the game's vision and adhere to its unique cinematography style.
  • Contribute to setting and maintaining performance standards and work in tandem with other departments to ensure seamless integration of cinematics into the game engine.
  • Refine and enhance character performances, focusing on both body and facial animation, to create lifelike and engaging scenes.
  • Participate actively in cinematic team feedback sessions, presenting work and incorporating constructive critique.
  • Demonstrate a strong grasp of animation and camera principles essential for crafting a realistic and immersive cinematic experience.
  • Utilize project management tools such as Jira and Flow to effectively track progress and manage workload.
  • Communicate efficiently with the Animation Director and Project Management to report on progress, addressing potential roadblocks to ensure timely delivery of tasks.
  • Perform additional related responsibilities as assigned to support the animation team's goals and objectives.

Supervisory Responsibilities:This job has no supervisory responsibilities, however this role mentors more junior artists.

Qualifications:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

At SIE, working with our partners, we consider several factors when setting each role's base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.
Please note that the individual base pay range may vary based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
In addition, this role is eligible for benefit offerings that include medical, dental, and vision. Click hereto learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below, this is an hourly rate.
$76.92-$86.06 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to ourCandidate Privacy Noticefor more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

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