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Motion Capture Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Outerknown

Brand Editor & Videographer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Capture photo and video content for product launches, campaigns, athlete shoots, events, retail ... Knowledge of motion graphics and animation. * Drone certification and aerial shooting experience.

Wasserman Media

Videographer/Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

... on motion and animation design abilities as well. These channels represent key areas of our ... Travel onsite for key moments in the THE • TEAM's calendar to capture and create compelling ...

Teamwass

Videographer/Editor

Los Angeles, CA

... on motion and animation design abilities as well. These channels represent key areas of our ... Travel onsite for key moments in the THETEAM's calendar to capture and create compelling content ...

Sequel

Storyteller ($100-150k)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

... with music, motion and animation. You are not handed a brief and asked to execute it. You help ... Capture footage during studio shoots and offsite locations, working directly with athletes and ...

Solomon Page

Graphic Designer (Social)

Irvine, CA · On-site

$60 - $65/hr

This is a great opportunity for a designer who understands fan culture, can capture the voice of a ... Create light motion graphics and animations using After Effects * Develop content that captures the ...

Sequel

Storyteller ($100-150k)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

... with music, motion and animation. You are not handed a brief and asked to execute it. You help ... Capture footage during studio shoots and offsite locations, working directly with athletes and ...

Sequel

Storyteller ($100-150k)

Los Angeles, CA

$100K - $150K/yr

... with music, motion and animation. You are not handed a brief and asked to execute it. You help ... Capture footage during studio shoots and offsite locations, working directly with athletes and ...

Inference

Filmmaker / Storyteller

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

... crafting stories that capture the magic of what we're building while shipping content that ... Motion graphics and animation skills * Experience managing creative teams or freelancers What You ...

Populous

Architect

Los Angeles, CA · Hybrid

$78K - $92K/yr

... capture all the senses, amplifying the atmosphere of excitement and pure joy shared in human ... renderings, animations, and motion graphics for visual communication. Project Design and ...

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All JobsMotion Capture Animation JobsMotion Capture Animation Jobs in California

Motion Capture Animation information

See California salary details

$10

$38

$69

How much do motion capture animation jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for motion capture animation in California is $38.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.59 and $63.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Motion Capture Animation vs Character Animator?

AspectMotion Capture AnimationCharacter Animator
Required CredentialsOften requires knowledge of motion capture systems, animation software, and sometimes specialized certificationsRequires skills in animation software, storytelling, and character rigging, with some familiarity with motion capture data
Work EnvironmentStudio settings with motion capture suits and equipment, often collaborativeDesktop-based, working with animation software, sometimes in a studio or remote
Industry UsageUsed in film, video games, and VR to create realistic character movementsUsed in film, TV, and game development for character animation and performance

Motion Capture Animation focuses on capturing real actor movements using specialized equipment, translating them into digital animations. Character Animators create performances manually or refine motion capture data to animate characters. While both roles involve character animation, motion capture specialists work primarily with physical data capture, whereas character animators focus on artistic interpretation and manual animation techniques.

How to get a career in motion capture animation?

To pursue a career in motion capture animation, develop skills in 3D modeling, animation, and programming using tools like Maya, Blender, or MotionBuilder. Gaining experience through a relevant degree or certification, building a portfolio, and understanding motion capture hardware and software are essential steps to enter the field.

How do motion capture animators typically collaborate with directors and actors during a production?

Motion capture animators work closely with directors and actors to ensure movements are accurately captured and match the creative vision of the project. Animators often attend rehearsals, provide feedback on performance capture, and help set up technical equipment. They collaborate with directors to discuss shot composition and storytelling, while guiding actors on how to perform for optimal data capture. This collaborative process ensures that the final animation integrates seamlessly with the project's artistic goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a motion capture animator?

To thrive as a Motion Capture Animator, you need expertise in animation principles, an understanding of human movement, and a background in computer graphics or a related field. Proficiency with motion capture software (such as Vicon, OptiTrack, or MotionBuilder) and familiarity with 3D animation tools like Maya or Blender is essential. Strong collaboration, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for accurately capturing, refining, and translating real-world performances into compelling digital animations for films, games, and virtual experiences.

What is motion capture animation?

Motion capture animation, often called 'mocap,' is a technique used to record the movements of real actors and translate them into digital character animations. This technology uses specialized suits and sensors to capture an actor's motions, which are then mapped onto 3D models in computer graphics software. It's widely used in film, video games, and virtual reality to create realistic and lifelike character movements. Motion capture helps animators save time and achieve a higher level of realism than manual animation alone.
What are popular job titles related to Motion Capture Animation jobs in California? For Motion Capture Animation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Motion Capture Animation jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Motion Capture Animation jobs in California are:
Motion Capture Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Motion Capture Animation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,900 per year, or $38.9 per hour.

Senior Technical Program Manager - Central Technology (Temporary)

Activision

Santa Monica, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Job Title:Senior Technical Program Manager - Central Technology (Temporary)Requisition ID:R027709Job Description:

Your Mission

The Central Technology team serves as the strategic partner for game development studios in the areas of online services, engine tools, graphics, systems engineering, security, and infrastructure. We support all aspects of the development process from build pipeline to launch, collaborating with studios on best practices in technology and architecture to help build franchises and the Activision IP portfolio. All the while, we also serve as the bridge to the publishing organization to align game technical development with 1st party management, analytics, product management, marketing, and public relations.

Hybrid:

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, and the home studio for this role is Santa Monica, CA.

What you bring to the table

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners. This role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

  • Support the creation, development, and execution of production initiatives, projects, pathways, and overall plan; continue to provide supervision and support through full operations life-cycle
  • Create a culture that promotes collaboration, continuous feedback, support and empowerment. Set clear goals for the team and hold employees accountable for deliverables; recognize and reward employees for strong performance
  • The ability to identify risks early and often and suggest mitigation strategies that are thought through and take into account multiple paths to a solution.
  • Experience effectively collaborating with internal teams and development studios within the video game industry. You will only be as successful as your relationship with the development teams allows.
  • You will be the main point of contact for one of the biggest entertainment franchises in the world and requires best in class and timely communications across all mediums (emails, phone, meetings, presentations, etc.)
  • Engage in various strategic technology planning and analytics to develop key processes, procedures, and recommendations across Activision and its studios
  • Provide analysis of the intersection of business needs and technology initiatives across the AP portfolio, including both game, infrastructure, and other aspects of business operation.
  • Liaison with first party as well as internal teams to track efforts, perform analysis on data and user experience, and ensure work is moving forward. Provide reports to senior leadership to ensure they are apprised and help align efforts across the studio ecosystem while maintaining relationships at the ABK level to represent Central Technology in the wider business externally.
  • Provide analysis showing areas of strategic weakness and improvement, as well as tracking the surface area between Activision and the broader industry
  • Liaison with senior business leadership to present and explain technical problems within the context of their business impact.

Player Profile

Minimum Requirements
Experience

  • 5+ years of technical program management or similar experience.
  • Deep experience with each stage of software development lifecycle, from inception, design and implementation, through to QA and deployment.
  • Experience in practicing agile development practices, and strong working knowledge of a variety of project management techniques.
  • Experience with project management tools such as Atlassian JIRA, Trello, Confluence, MS SharePoint, MS Project, Smartsheet, etc.

Knowledge & Skills

  • Able to proactively navigate roadblocks with effective solutions, keeping projects moving efficiently. Can breakdown complex projects into manageable phased deliverables.
  • Must be able to communicate concisely and effectively.

Extra Points:

Experience

  • Experience in game development or game publishing environments

Knowledge & Skills

  • Familiarity with working as part of and alongside software engineering teams.
  • Formal project management qualifications or accreditation.
  • Familiarity with data protection laws and regulatory requirements a plus.

Your Platform

Activision Central Tech works to support our development studios and their titles. Comprised of seven main teams, we have many specialties including big data, privacy and security, motion capture and animation pipeline technologies, graphics, build and infrastructure for studio development and data centers, optimization, systems programming and online services including matchmaking and networking. Central Tech is distributed globally with offices across the U.S., and in Canada, England, Ireland and Japan.

Most of our teams are comprised of both engineering and research talent, allowing us to always have an eye on the future. Our talented engineers help with title development and provide valuable knowledge sharing between studios while our researchers are action-oriented and keep a strong connection with the needs of the game studios.

Central Tech is part of Activision. To learn more about us and our research, please visit us at https://research.activision.com/.

Our World

At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We're driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, and Guitar Hero. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our "press start" is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.

We're not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we're forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization.

We're in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater - this could be your opportunity to level up.

Ready to Activate Your Future?

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request toaccommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for 'Every World' - we've got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

  • Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
  • 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
  • Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
  • Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
  • If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $94,580.00 - $174,988.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role's range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.

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