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Director Of Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Flying Bark Productions

Animation Director

Burbank, CA · On-site

$3.2K - $3.4K/wk

Work under the direction of the Supervising Animation Director to support the creative execution of animation throughout production. * Translate the project's creative vision and animation direction ...

AGBO

Expression of Interest - Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Collaborate with the Director, Leads, and other artists on the team to create a cohesive vision for animation assignments. * Performs other duties as assigned. Qualifications & Skills: * 5+ years of ...

Mattel

Sr Manager, TV Animation

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$112K - $128K/yr

Mattel Studios is seeking a Sr. Manager, Adult & Four-Quad TV Animation to help drive the ... Develop recommendations for writers, directors, creators, and talent while maintaining awareness of ...

Mattel

Sr Manager, TV Animation

El Segundo, CA

$112K - $128K/yr

Mattel Studios is seeking a Sr. Manager, Adult & Four-Quad TV Animation to help drive the ... Develop recommendations for writers, directors, creators, and talent while maintaining awareness of ...

Mattel

Sr Manager, TV Animation

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$112K - $128K/yr

Mattel Studios is seeking a Sr. Manager, Adult & Four-Quad TV Animation to help drive the ... Develop recommendations for writers, directors, creators, and talent while maintaining awareness of ...

2K

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

What You'll Do Create gameplay, AI, and scripted animation that matches the visual style of the ... director's vision for the project. Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate ...

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All JobsOf Animation JobsDirector Of Animation JobsDirector Of Animation Jobs in California

Director Of Animation information

What does a director of animation do?

A Director of Animation oversees the creative and technical aspects of animated productions, such as films, television shows, or video games. They are responsible for guiding the animation team, setting the visual style, and ensuring that the project's vision is achieved. This role involves collaborating with writers, producers, and other department heads to create a cohesive final product. They also provide feedback and direction to animators, manage schedules and budgets, and solve artistic or technical challenges throughout production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of animation, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Animation, you need comprehensive knowledge of animation principles, storytelling, and team leadership, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field and extensive industry experience. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Maya, Adobe Creative Suite, and Toon Boom, along with familiarity with production pipelines, is typically required. Exceptional communication, creative vision, and the ability to inspire and manage diverse teams are vital soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality animation projects on time and fostering a collaborative, innovative production environment.

How does a director of animation typically collaborate with other departments during production?

A Director of Animation works closely with various departments, including storyboarding, character design, rigging, and post-production, to ensure that the animation aligns with the overall creative vision. They regularly communicate with producers, directors, and technical leads to coordinate schedules, resolve challenges, and maintain consistency in style and quality. This role often involves leading feedback sessions, reviewing work-in-progress shots, and making creative decisions that impact the project's direction.

What is the difference between Director Of Animation vs Animation Supervisor?

AspectDirector Of AnimationAnimation Supervisor
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire animation department, sets creative vision, manages teams, and coordinates with other departmentsManages day-to-day animation production, supervises animators, and ensures project deadlines are met
Required SkillsLeadership, project management, creative direction, strong animation backgroundTechnical animation skills, team management, quality control
Work EnvironmentCreative studios, film, TV, gaming companiesAnimation teams within production environments, studios

The main difference between a Director Of Animation and an Animation Supervisor is the scope of responsibility. The Director Of Animation focuses on strategic leadership and creative vision across projects, while the Animation Supervisor handles daily management and execution of animation tasks. Both roles require strong animation skills, but the Director Of Animation typically has more experience and oversees larger teams and broader project aspects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Of Animation jobs in California?

The most popular types of Of Animation jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Director Of Animation jobs in California?

For Director Of Animation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Director Of Animation jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Of Animation jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Director Of Animation jobs?

Cities in California with the most Director Of Animation job openings:

Director Of Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Animation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Animation Director

Flying Bark Productions

Burbank, CA • On-site

$3.2K - $3.4K/wk

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Flying Bark Productions is a dynamic and innovative animation studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of character animation and storytelling. We are working on exciting projects such as Avatar: The Last Airbender feature film, Netflix's Ghostbusters animated series, and Stranger Things animated series as well as upcoming feature film, Zac Power.
Flying Bark Productions is seeking an Animation Director to join our Burbank studio's growing team! Reporting to the Supervising Animation Director, the Animation Director will help lead the creative execution of animation throughout production, ensuring that character performance, acting, movement, timing, and staging align with the project's creative vision and established animation direction.
This role works closely with the internal animation leadership team and our external vendor studio to communicate creative intent, provide clear and constructive feedback, and maintain consistency and quality across the project.
This role is located onsite in our Burbank, CA office.
Key Responsibilities
  • Work under the direction of the Supervising Animation Director to support the creative execution of animation throughout production.
  • Translate the project's creative vision and animation direction into clear, actionable guidance for animators.
  • Review animation work and provide detailed notes on performance, acting, posing, timing, spacing, movement, staging, and overall execution.
  • Work closely with our vendor studio's AnimationLeadership to help guide the development of strong character performances and storytelling through animation.
  • Identify creative issues in animation and work with artists to develop effective solutions.
  • Maintain consistency in character performance, movement, and animation style across sequences and episodes.
  • Review animation at various stages of completion and provide timely, constructive feedback through draw-overs, written notes, and other forms of communication as needed to best convey animation notes.
  • Collaborate with the Supervising Animation Director to establish and maintain animation standards and expectations.
  • Work closely with Layout, Story, and other relevant departments to address animation-related creative needs and challenges.
  • Review storyboards and animatics from an animation perspective, identifying potential performance, staging, or technical challenges before they reach animation.
  • Help communicate animation requirements and creative intent to the leadership team working across internal and external teams.
  • Participate in animation reviews, screenings, and production meetings as needed.
  • Support the Supervising Animation Director in maintaining the overall quality and consistency of animation across the production.
  • Stay engaged with the work throughout the animation process and help ensure notes are understood and successfully implemented.
Qualifications
  • 5+ years professional experience on animated series or features.
  • Previous experience as an Animation Director or Lead Animator.
  • Strong understanding of animation principles, character acting, performance, timing, posing, staging, and storytelling.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard animation software and production tools such as Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, Autodesk Maya, SyncSketch, and ShotGrid.
  • Experience providing animation direction and detailed creative feedback to artists.
  • Strong visual and storytelling instincts with an ability to clearly communicate creative ideas.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with Showrunner, EPs, supervisors, directors, and other creative departments.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to give clear, constructive feedback while maintaining a collaborative and supportive working environment.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make thoughtful creative decisions within established direction.
  • Experience working with outsourced animation teams is a plus.

Why Work with Us?
  • We work on some of the coolest projects in the industry! Check out our website: Flying Bark
  • We have cake days, a dedicated culture club, and regular studio social events!
  • We offer a hybrid working approach, with flexible work-from-home days
  • Career development is a priority for us, and we provide ongoing training and support opportunities
  • Our employees rave about our inclusive and welcoming culture-everyone is celebrated here!

Flying Bark Productions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary Range: $3,250 - $3,400 weekly.

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