Previs Animator
Department: Animation / Previsualisation
Location: Brisbane - Remote / Hybrid
Contract: Freelance / Fixed-Term Contract
Duration: Variable
Start Date: Variable
About the Role
We are looking for a talented Previs Animator to join our team and help translate creative ideas, scripts and storyboards into compelling 3D sequences.
Working closely with Directors, VFX Supervisors, Animators and Production, you will use animation, layout, cameras and 3D environments to explore performance, staging, cinematography, action and storytelling before shots move into final production.
This is a role for someone who enjoys solving creative problems quickly, experimenting with different approaches and finding the strongest visual solution for a sequence.
Key Responsibilities
- Create high-quality 3D previsualisation / previs for film, television, games, commercials or immersive projects.
- Translate scripts, storyboards and director notes into clear and engaging animated sequences.
- Develop character blocking, performance, staging and physical action.
- Design and refine camera animation, composition, lenses and cinematic movement.
- Work with 3D environments, sets and assets to establish geography, scale and continuity.
- Explore different creative approaches to shots and sequences through rapid iteration.
- Establish timing, pacing and editorial rhythm in collaboration with Directors and Editorial.
- Create rough animation that effectively communicates story, action and intent rather than focusing solely on final animation quality.
- Work from incomplete or evolving assets and find practical solutions within production constraints.
- Incorporate feedback quickly and iterate on shots and sequences.
- Maintain clear scene organisation and naming conventions.
- Communicate creative and technical issues clearly to Supervisors and Production.
- Collaborate with other departments to ensure previs provides a strong foundation for downstream production.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Professional experience in Previs, Animation, Layout or a closely related discipline.
- Strong understanding of animation principles, staging, timing and visual storytelling.
- Excellent understanding of cinematic cameras, composition, lenses and camera movement.
- Ability to block and refine character performances for storytelling purposes.
- Strong spatial awareness and understanding of screen direction, continuity and shot geography.
- Experience working from scripts, storyboards and/or verbal direction.
- Ability to work quickly and efficiently while responding positively to creative feedback.
- Strong problem-solving skills and an ability to visualise ideas in 3D.
- Experience working within a production pipeline and collaborating with Directors, Supervisors and Production teams.
- A strong demo reel demonstrating previs, animation, layout and/or cinematic storytelling.
Software
Experience with some or all of the following would be advantageous:
- Maya
- Blender
- Unreal Engine
- MotionBuilder
- Houdini
- Adobe Premiere Pro / After Effects
- Other real-time, animation or previs tools
Experience with Unreal Engine or other real-time workflows is particularly welcome.
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience working in VFX, feature film, episodic, animation, games, cinematics or commercials.
- Experience creating previs for complex action, creatures, vehicles or crowd sequences.
- Experience working with motion capture and/or MotionBuilder.
- Familiarity with real-time production workflows.
- Understanding of VFX pipelines and how previs informs downstream departments.
- Experience working directly with Directors, VFX Supervisors or Cinematographers.
- An understanding of editorial workflows and shot construction.
- Experience working in virtual production or immersive / experiential projects.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who combines strong animation skills with excellent cinematic instincts.
You should be comfortable working at the early, exploratory stages of a project, where ideas are still evolving and creative decisions need to be tested quickly.
You will ideally be:
- Story-focused — able to understand what a shot needs to communicate.
- Visually creative — confident proposing alternative approaches to staging and camera.
- Technically capable — able to work efficiently within a 3D production environment.
- Collaborative — comfortable taking direction and contributing ideas.
- Adaptable — able to work with changing requirements and incomplete information.
- Fast and iterative — able to produce useful creative work without over-polishing.
- Detail-conscious — while understanding where detail matters and where it doesn't.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to work on exciting projects across the VFX, Animation, Games and Creative Technology sectors, collaborating with talented artists and creative teams.
You will play an important role in shaping sequences at an early stage of production, helping Directors and creative teams explore ideas and establish the visual language before significant production resources are committed.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and showreel / portfolio, highlighting relevant previs, animation, layout and cinematic work.
We are particularly interested in seeing examples that demonstrate your ability to communicate story, performance, action and camera through 3D animation.
DAX is committed to supporting diverse and inclusive creative teams and welcomes applications from artists and technologists from all backgrounds.