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Weekend Animation Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Big Shot Pictures

Technical Animator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

About Big Shot Pictures Big Shot Pictures is a next generation animation company founded by Brian Robbins that produces the franchises of tomorrow. With a distinctive digital-first approach, the ...

31st Union

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Set up animation blends, overlays, events, and related systems in Unreal. * Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick animation prototypes for new ...

Jam City

Technical Animator

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Augment and maintain the animation pipeline. * Propose or create tools to automate the animation pipeline. * Assist the animation team with high quality animation. This includes short loops ...

2K

Lead Animator

San Mateo, CA

$123K - $182K/yr

Set up animation blends, overlays, events, and related systems in Unreal. * Iterate on animation and player feel through playtesting and hands-on tuning. * Develop quick animation prototypes for new ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · Remote

$123K - $182K/yr

Partner with the Animation Director and leadership to establish the animation vision, evangelize studio values, and shape a positive and inclusive team culture. * Develop and refine animation ...

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Partner with the Animation Director and leadership to establish the animation vision, evangelize studio values, and shape a positive and inclusive team culture. * Develop and refine animation ...

Cloud Chamber

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Partner with the Animation Director and leadership to establish the animation vision, evangelize studio values, and shape a positive and inclusive team culture. * Develop and refine animation ...

Socket.dev

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123 - $182/hr

Partner with the Animation Director and leadership to establish the animation vision, evangelize studio values, and shape a positive and inclusive team culture. * Develop and refine animation ...

New

2K

Lead Animator

Novato, CA · On-site

$123K - $182K/yr

Partner with the Animation Director and leadership to establish the animation vision, evangelize studio values, and shape a positive and inclusive team culture. * Develop and refine animation ...

Bonfire Studios, Inc

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site

$196.50 - $247.13/hr

Inspiring and guiding the animation discipline, setting the creative vision and quality bar for characters and combat in a competitive multiplayer game. * Leading and mentoring a lean animation team ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA

$88K - $120K/yr

Contribute to the development of animation workflows and tools to streamline the animation process. * Stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques to continually improve the quality of ...

Bonfire Studios

Lead Gameplay Animator

Irvine, CA · On-site

Inspiring and guiding the animation discipline, setting the creative vision and quality bar for characters and combat in a competitive multiplayer game. * Leading and mentoring a lean animation team ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Contribute to the development of animation workflows and tools to streamline the animation process. * Stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques to continually improve the quality of ...

Ember Lab

Senior Gameplay Animator

Orange, CA · On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Contribute to the development of animation workflows and tools to streamline the animation process. * Stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques to continually improve the quality of ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsAnimation JobsWeekend Animation JobsWeekend Animation Jobs in California

Weekend Animation information

What is a weekend animation?

A Weekend Animation job typically refers to a position where an individual works as an animator or event facilitator during weekends, often at resorts, hotels, or entertainment venues. Their main responsibilities include organizing and leading recreational activities, games, or performances for guests, especially children and families. Weekend animators help create a fun and engaging atmosphere, ensuring guests have a memorable experience during their stay. These roles may also require excellent communication skills, creativity, and the ability to work with diverse groups of people.

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

To thrive as a Weekend Animator, you need a solid understanding of animation principles, experience with storyboarding, and a relevant degree or diploma in animation or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom, or Maya is typically required. Creativity, time management, and strong communication skills help you deliver engaging content and collaborate effectively with teams, even under tight deadlines. These abilities ensure high-quality animations are produced efficiently to meet weekend or special project needs.

What are some common challenges faced by animators working weekend shifts, and how can they be managed?

Animators working weekend shifts often navigate unique challenges such as tight turnaround times for last-minute projects, limited access to immediate feedback from team members who may not be working, and maintaining work-life balance. Effective communication with supervisors and team members before the weekend can help clarify priorities and expectations. Using collaborative tools and setting clear milestones for weekend projects can also streamline workflow and reduce the risk of miscommunication. Proactively scheduling breaks and managing workload is important to prevent burnout during these less traditional work hours.

What is the difference between Weekend Animation vs Child Entertainment Coordinator?

AspectWeekend AnimationChild Entertainment Coordinator
CredentialsTypically no formal certification required, but experience in entertainment or animation is preferredOften requires certifications in child care, first aid, or entertainment
Work EnvironmentRecreational facilities, hotels, resorts, or event venues during weekendsAmusement parks, resorts, or event settings focusing on children's activities
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in hospitality and entertainment industries for weekend eventsUsed in family-oriented venues and entertainment sectors

Weekend Animation involves organizing entertainment activities during weekends, often in hotels or resorts, focusing on general audiences. Child Entertainment Coordinators specifically focus on engaging children with age-appropriate activities, often requiring certifications in child care. While both roles involve entertainment, the main difference lies in the target audience and required qualifications.

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

The most popular types of Animation jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Weekend Animation jobs?

Cities in California with the most Weekend Animation job openings:

Weekend Animation jobs near you
Infographic showing various Weekend Animation job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 8% Temporary, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Principal Gameplay Animator

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA • On-site, Remote

$150K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 1 hour ago

Job description

Summary  

We are looking for a Principal Gameplay Animator to help define and deliver the animation quality, style, and feel of our AAA open world action-adventure game. As a creative and technical contributor, you will create exceptional gameplay animations, establish animation standards, and partner closely with Design, Engineering, Art, and Narrative teams to ensure that our animations are fluid, realistic, and enhance the overall gameplay. 

This role combines hands-on animation development with leadership through craft. You will be expected to solve complex gameplay animation challenges, mentor other animators, influence animation pipelines and workflows, and help shape the overall player experience through world-class character performance and movement. 

Core Responsibilities  

  • Create high-quality gameplay animations that establish the visual and gameplay standard for all characters, creatures, and object animations.  
  • Drive the development of locomotion, traversal, combat, interaction, and systemic animation content; review animation content and help maintain consistent quality and artistic direction across all gameplay features. 
  • Collaborate with the Animation Director to define the animation style and direction.  
  • Partner with Design and Engineering teams to implement animation systems that enhance gameplay feel, responsiveness, and player immersion. 
  • Work closely with Technical Animation to improve pipelines, tools, and workflows. 
  • Help establish efficient workflows that balance visual quality, gameplay requirements, and technical constraints. 
  • Provide feedback and mentorship to other animators.  
  • Ensure animations meet performance and memory constraints for different platforms.  
  • Partner with outsource and co-development teams to review deliverables and ensure quality standards are met. 
  • Stay current with industry trends and techniques in animation.  

Core Qualifications  

  • 7+ years of experience in animation within the video game industry.  
  • Proficiency in Maya and other industry-standard animation tools.  
  • Multiple shipped AAA titles in a gameplay animation role. 
  • Strong understanding of Unreal Engine 5 animation systems, including Animation Blueprints, State Machines, Blend Spaces, Control Rig, and Motion Matching workflows. 
  • Strong understanding of anatomy, motion, and weight in animation.  
  • Experience with both keyframe animation and motion capture techniques.  
  • Proven track record of leading animation teams and delivering high-quality content.  
  • Ability to work collaboratively across departments and communicate effectively.  
  • Strong problem-solving abilities with a balance of artistic vision and technical execution. 
  • Self-motivated, organized, and able to drive complex initiatives with minimal oversight. 

Plus if...  

  • Experience developing animation systems AAA titles or games with a focus on realistic animation. 
  • Experience with creature animation and complex character rigs. 
  • Deep knowledge of traversal and combat animation. 
  • Experience with motion matching, procedural animation, and physics-driven systems. 
  • Experience building or improving animation pipelines and tools. 
  • Experience working with external vendors and co-development partners. 
  • Passion for open world gameplay, player expression, and immersive character performance. 

Description  

  • Full-time job with benefits.  
  • Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA.  
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeways.  

The base pay range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including vacation time, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) matching to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity. 

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