OR · On-site +1
$105K - $120K/yr
Ability to utilize motion capture data and hand key animation to create believable characters. * Gameplay responsibilities can include hero traversal, combat, boss, gameplay camera cinematography ...
New
OR · On-site +1
$105K - $120K/yr
Ability to utilize motion capture data and hand key animation to create believable characters. * Gameplay responsibilities can include hero traversal, combat, boss, gameplay camera cinematography ...
New
Cheyenne, WY · On-site +1
$76.92 - $86.06/hr
Ability to utilize motion capture data and hand key animation to create believable characters. * Gameplay responsibilities can include hero traversal, combat, boss, gameplay camera cinematography ...
New
Cheyenne, WY · On-site +1
$76.92 - $86.06/hr
Ability to utilize motion capture data and hand key animation to create believable characters. * Gameplay responsibilities can include hero traversal, combat, boss, gameplay camera cinematography ...
New
$76.92 - $86.06/hr
Ability to utilize motion capture data and hand key animation to create believable characters. * Gameplay responsibilities can include hero traversal, combat, boss, gameplay camera cinematography ...
New
$76.92 - $86.06/hr
Ability to utilize motion capture data and hand key animation to create believable characters. * Gameplay responsibilities can include hero traversal, combat, boss, gameplay camera cinematography ...
New
Rockville, MD · On-site
Key Responsibilities * Create 2D and/or 3D animations for marketing, product, and brand storytelling * Develop motion graphics for videos, product demos, social media, web, and presentations
Quick apply
Rockville, MD · On-site
Key Responsibilities * Create 2D and/or 3D animations for marketing, product, and brand storytelling * Develop motion graphics for videos, product demos, social media, web, and presentations
Reno, NV · On-site +1
$105K - $120K/yr
Key Responsibilities: * Create and lead the development of complex animations and dynamic visual effects for EGM (Electronic Gaming Machine) development, including both real-time and pre-rendered ...
Reno, NV · On-site +1
$105K - $120K/yr
Key Responsibilities: * Create and lead the development of complex animations and dynamic visual effects for EGM (Electronic Gaming Machine) development, including both real-time and pre-rendered ...
Lead the design and execution of performance animation for key story sequences and interactive cinematics, overseeing facial performances, dialogue scenes, and action-driven performances to ensure ...
Lead the design and execution of performance animation for key story sequences and interactive cinematics, overseeing facial performances, dialogue scenes, and action-driven performances to ensure ...
Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1
Key Responsibilities: * Show exceptional understanding of facial animation, acting, appeal, entertainment, weight, locomotion, anatomy, and dialogue. * Create high-quality, keyframe Character ...
Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1
Key Responsibilities: * Show exceptional understanding of facial animation, acting, appeal, entertainment, weight, locomotion, anatomy, and dialogue. * Create high-quality, keyframe Character ...
Reno, NV · On-site +1
$105K - $120K/yr
Key Responsibilities: * Create and lead the development of complex animations and dynamic visual effects for EGM (Electronic Gaming Machine) development, including both real-time and pre-rendered ...
Reno, NV · On-site +1
$105K - $120K/yr
Key Responsibilities: * Create and lead the development of complex animations and dynamic visual effects for EGM (Electronic Gaming Machine) development, including both real-time and pre-rendered ...
Key Responsibilities: * Show exceptional understanding of facial animation, acting, appeal, entertainment, weight, locomotion, anatomy, and dialogue. * Create high-quality, keyframe Character ...
Key Responsibilities: * Show exceptional understanding of facial animation, acting, appeal, entertainment, weight, locomotion, anatomy, and dialogue. * Create high-quality, keyframe Character ...
Las Vegas, NV · On-site +1
$101K - $115K/yr
Key Responsibilities * Build, rig, and maintain high-quality Spine animation files for production. * Create animator-ready files with clean skeletons, skins, constraints, and reusable setups.
Quick apply
Las Vegas, NV · On-site +1
$101K - $115K/yr
Key Responsibilities * Build, rig, and maintain high-quality Spine animation files for production. * Create animator-ready files with clean skeletons, skins, constraints, and reusable setups.
$124K - $142K/yr
Experience with hand key facial animation and tools such as Jali. * A love for research, reference, and documenting your findings to share with the team. Who You Are: * A reliable, positive force ...
$124K - $142K/yr
Experience with hand key facial animation and tools such as Jali. * A love for research, reference, and documenting your findings to share with the team. Who You Are: * A reliable, positive force ...
Novato, CA · On-site
$124K - $142K/yr
Experience with hand key facial animation and tools such as Jali. * A love for research, reference, and documenting your findings to share with the team. Who You Are: * A reliable, positive force ...
Novato, CA · On-site
$124K - $142K/yr
Experience with hand key facial animation and tools such as Jali. * A love for research, reference, and documenting your findings to share with the team. Who You Are: * A reliable, positive force ...
$124K - $142K/yr
Experience with hand key facial animation and tools such as Jali. * A love for research, reference, and documenting your findings to share with the team. Who You Are: * A reliable, positive force ...
$124K - $142K/yr
Experience with hand key facial animation and tools such as Jali. * A love for research, reference, and documenting your findings to share with the team. Who You Are: * A reliable, positive force ...
Irvine, CA · On-site +1
Expert knowledge in key frame creature & character animation of Max/Maya using FK and IK in a variety of styles * Expertise in knowledge of creature anatomy, motion, weight, acting and timing applied ...
Irvine, CA · On-site +1
Expert knowledge in key frame creature & character animation of Max/Maya using FK and IK in a variety of styles * Expertise in knowledge of creature anatomy, motion, weight, acting and timing applied ...
Expert knowledge in key frame creature & character animation of Max/Maya using FK and IK in a variety of styles * Expertise in knowledge of creature anatomy, motion, weight, acting and timing applied ...
Expert knowledge in key frame creature & character animation of Max/Maya using FK and IK in a variety of styles * Expertise in knowledge of creature anatomy, motion, weight, acting and timing applied ...
Brooklyn, NY · On-site +1
$80K - $100K/yr
Take animations from design spec through key pose to finished animation, creating responsive but authentic motion * Collaborate with other departments to implement animations in engine Skills ...
Brooklyn, NY · On-site +1
$80K - $100K/yr
Take animations from design spec through key pose to finished animation, creating responsive but authentic motion * Collaborate with other departments to implement animations in engine Skills ...
Novato, CA · On-site
$124K - $142K/yr
Experience with hand key facial animation and tools such as Jali. * A love for research, reference, and documenting your findings to share with the team. Who You Are: * A reliable, positive force ...
Novato, CA · On-site
$124K - $142K/yr
Experience with hand key facial animation and tools such as Jali. * A love for research, reference, and documenting your findings to share with the team. Who You Are: * A reliable, positive force ...
Selected animators will help establish professional evaluation standards, curate challenging ... Key Responsibilities Character Performance Evaluation * Evaluate AI-generated character ...
New
Selected animators will help establish professional evaluation standards, curate challenging ... Key Responsibilities Character Performance Evaluation * Evaluate AI-generated character ...
New
Manhattan, NY · On-site
$50 - $80/hr
Selected animators will help establish professional evaluation standards, curate challenging ... Key Responsibilities Character Performance Evaluation * Evaluate AI-generated character ...
New
Manhattan, NY · On-site
$50 - $80/hr
Selected animators will help establish professional evaluation standards, curate challenging ... Key Responsibilities Character Performance Evaluation * Evaluate AI-generated character ...
New
Key Requirements: * Model: Fully modeled, animation-ready topology (wings, body, head, tail, feet, talons, eyes, beak) with clean UVs/silhouette, matching the existing owl's design exactly. * Rig:
Key Requirements: * Model: Fully modeled, animation-ready topology (wings, body, head, tail, feet, talons, eyes, beak) with clean UVs/silhouette, matching the existing owl's design exactly. * Rig:
$15.67 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$10.58 - $16
27% of jobs
$16 - $21.42
0% of jobs
$21.42 - $26.84
19% of jobs
The median wage is $28.50 / hr.
$26.84 - $32.26
14% of jobs
$32.26 - $37.67
4% of jobs
$37.67 - $43.09
0% of jobs
$43.09 - $48.51
0% of jobs
$48.51 - $53.93
0% of jobs
$59.11 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$53.93 - $59.35
12% of jobs
$59.35 - $64.77
6% of jobs
$64.77 - $70.19
18% of jobs
$10
$39
$70
As a Key Animator, your typical workflow involves receiving storyboards or layouts, creating key frames that define critical poses or movements, and collaborating closely with directors and other animators to maintain the animation’s style and timing. You’ll often review and adjust your work based on feedback, ensuring consistency and fluidity before handing off sequences to in-between animators. Communication and regular check-ins with other departments, such as layout and clean-up, are common to align on visual direction. This process requires both creative input and technical accuracy to bring animated sequences to life as envisioned.
A Key Animator is responsible for creating the primary frames of an animation, known as keyframes, which define the movement and actions of characters or objects. They establish the foundation for the animation by setting poses and timing, ensuring smooth transitions between frames. Key Animators work closely with directors and animation teams to maintain consistency and quality. Their work is crucial in bringing scenes to life by emphasizing motion, emotion, and storytelling within an animation project.
To thrive as a Key Animator, you need advanced drawing skills, a strong understanding of animation principles, and relevant experience or a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, or TVPaint is typically required. Attention to detail, creative problem solving, and the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively are important soft skills. These capabilities ensure high-quality animation sequences and efficient teamwork within fast-paced production schedules.
The top searched job categories for Key Animator jobs are:
$105K - $120K/yr
Full-time
Posted 2 days ago
New
This position is for temporary engagement through our staffing partner, Yoh Enterprise Solutions. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for this position.
Insomniac Games is looking for a new Senior Gameplay Animator. The Senior Gameplay Animator is responsible for creating gameplay animation at the highest quality level set by Lead Animators and Animation Directors. They collaborate closely with other disciplines to ensure that animations are integrated into the game, supporting the creative, narrative vision, and technical requirements. The Senior Animator works independently requiring minimal supervision.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
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 essential functions.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Computer Skills: Advanced knowledge of Maya, Insomniac proprietary tools (preferred), and a knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. MotionBuilder and Adobe Premiere a plus. Knowledge of common state machine flow in any game engine required.
