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No Experience Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Experience managing and optimizing animation assets for real-time production. * Familiarity with Unreal Engine MetaHuman workflows. * Experience building animation or rigging tools in DCC packages.

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Experience working in Unreal Engine for animation implementation and debugging. Strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and silhouette in regard to player character and AI.

Senior Gameplay Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$124K - $142K/yr

Experience working in Unreal Engine for animation implementation and debugging. Strong understanding of character performance, form, gesture, and silhouette in regard to player character and AI.

Strong experience in character animation , with a focus on creating believable, game-ready locomotion and action animations * Excellent acting skills through motion-conveying emotion, weight, timing ...

$89.24/hr

No 02 Do you possess ANY Bachelor's degree or higher AND two (2) years of full-time equivalent professional experience directly related to Animation or the equivalent? Professional experience ...

Senior Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$90K - $135K/yr

Skills, Experience and Qualifications Shipped multiple AAA titles, ideally using Unreal or a comparable engine. Exemplary skills in keyframe stylized 3D animation. Exceptional knowledge of how to ...

Senior Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$90K - $135K/yr

Skills, Experience and Qualifications Shipped multiple AAA titles, ideally using Unreal or a comparable engine. Exemplary skills in keyframe stylized 3D animation. Exceptional knowledge of how to ...

3D Animator (Short Term)

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$9.1K - $11K/mo

Strong experience in character animation , with a focus on creating believable, game-ready locomotion and action animations * Excellent acting skills through motion-conveying emotion, weight, timing ...

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No Experience Animation information

What is a no experience animation job?

'No Experience Animation' jobs are entry-level positions or internships in the animation industry that do not require prior professional experience. These roles are designed for beginners, students, or career switchers who are interested in animation and want to build their skills while working. Typical positions might include production assistant, junior animator, or storyboard trainee. Employers typically look for enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and a basic understanding of animation principles, which can often be demonstrated through personal projects or a portfolio. Gaining experience in these roles can be a stepping stone to more advanced positions in animation studios.

What to expect from a career in animation?

Careers in animation focus on working in a studio to help create and animate content under a specific set of design principles or objectives. This is almost always a highly collaborative position, with animators working on specific elements of each scene and integrating them into a single, cohesive whole. In this role, you may draw concept sketches, design a storyboard, or take on an element of the actual animation. Animators sometimes work nights, weekends, or holidays as necessary to get a project finished on time. Some aspects of this job vary by industry, but the entertainment industry offers the most positions.

What entry-level tasks can I expect when starting an animation career with no prior experience?

When beginning an animation career with no experience, you can expect to start with foundational tasks such as assisting with storyboarding, cleaning up sketches, creating simple animations or in-between frames, and organizing digital assets. You may also be asked to support senior animators by preparing reference materials or handling basic editing. These tasks help build your technical skills and understanding of studio workflows, while providing valuable exposure to collaborative project environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry-level animator with no prior experience, and why are they important?

To thrive as an entry-level animator, you need a foundational understanding of animation principles, basic drawing or design skills, and a strong creative portfolio rather than formal experience. Familiarity with animation software such as Adobe Animate, Blender, or Toon Boom is typically expected, and completing online courses or certifications can be advantageous. Strong teamwork, communication, and a willingness to learn make candidates stand out in collaborative studio environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing engaging animations, adapting to feedback, and growing quickly in the field.

What is the difference between No Experience Animation vs Entry-Level Graphic Designer?

AspectNo Experience AnimationEntry-Level Graphic Designer
Required SkillsBasic animation software knowledge, creativityDesign software proficiency, creativity
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, media companiesAdvertising agencies, design firms
CertificationsNone typically required, portfolio helpfulNone typically required, portfolio helpful

Both roles often require a creative portfolio and familiarity with design or animation software. No Experience Animation focuses on basic animation skills suitable for entry-level positions in media or animation studios, while Entry-Level Graphic Designer emphasizes general graphic design skills for various visual projects. The main difference lies in the specific skill set and industry focus, but both serve as starting points for careers in visual arts.

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 No Experience Animation jobs in California?

For No Experience Animation jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching No Experience Animation jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for No Experience Animation jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for No Experience Animation jobs?

Cities in California with the most No Experience Animation job openings:

Infographic showing various No Experience Animation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

DreamWorks TV - Animation Artist

NBCUniversal

Glendale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


NBCUniversal rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 133 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 78 rated media


Job description

Company Description

DreamWorks Animation is looking for more adventurous dreamers who shoot for the moon. We tell stories about the journeys our unconventional heroes take to make dreams come true. As a growth-minded studio, we pride ourselves on being one of the world's leading producers of high-quality, award-winning, animated films and series, reaching consumers around the globe. We push to feel more, laugh more, and build immersive new worlds.

DreamWorks creates a diverse array of original content in a variety of formats, delivering compelling stories with unique characters. We place tremendous value on the experiences our talent brings to the table from their own non-traditional paths to success. We believe in frequent communication and that transparency and trust yield the best work. We are a community of artists, technologists, innovators, and creators, who are passionate about animation and also happen to love eating lunch together. 

At DreamWorks Animation Television, our Animation Artist provides noted direction for our Partner Studio(s) to a standard set by the CG Animation Director and Lighting/Compositing Supervisor. The Animation Artist also animates characters and composites scenes when requested and ensures that all deliverables align with the production's schedule and creative vision of the series.

DreamWorks Animation Television has an exciting new opportunity for an Animation Artist to join its team based in Glendale, California. This position is covered by the Animation Guild.

If you are part of the fandom and believe teamwork makes the dream work, join us in #livingthedream and #doingyourdreamwork!

Job Description

Responsibilities: "What would you say you do here?"

  • Review animation deliveries from Partner Studio(s) and provide clear and courteous notes while keeping in mind the overall workload of the animation team(s)

  • Attend primary animation reviews to gather notes from show Creative Leadership

  • Generate BG references for Partner Studio(s) that provide direction for staging of shots in usable areas of the sets

  • Responsible for having a strong working knowledge of sets, characters and props and knowledge of the limitations of each

  • Review designs, scripts and breakdown decisions to assist the CG Animation Director

  • Create Maya set dresses for specific episodic requirements under the guidance of the CG Animation Director

  • Responsible for the final composite and output of the animation scenes that are tasked

  • Work closely with the Lighting/Compositing Supervisor to ensure that the shot matches the aesthetic of the surrounding scenes

  • When requested, animate characters in a variety of styles 

  • Attend storyboard and animatic reviews as workload allows

  • Work closely with the Crowd animation team to deliver crowd sims in the style of the show

  • Address any issues and retakes that come up during the final editorial/post review, issues may include the reworking of a shot to conform to the Harding Test standard

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: "What do I need to have in order to do this job?"

  • Strong animation skills

  • Solid technical understanding of models and rigs

  • Strong knowledge of Maya

  • Experience with Nuke and After Effects

  • Fundamental skills for troubleshooting and identifying problems with files 

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced production environment under tight deadlines

  • Creative problem solving and adaptability skills 

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and enjoys working in a team environment

Desired Qualifications: "What can I offer?"

  • At least 3 years of production experience in television animation, feature animation, VFX and/or video games

  • Experience with asset management software, Shotgun preferred

  • Experience working with international Partner Studio(s) is a plus 

  • Bachelor's degree preferred

Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.
Salary Range: $89,752 - $110,000

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].


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