Animation Supervisor / Producer - Indie Animated Pilot

This is a Full Time Job

We are seeking an Animation Producer / Supervisor to lead production on a low-budget, independent 2D rigged animated pilot with strong series potential.

This role is well suited for either:
• An experienced animation producer/supervisor or
• A senior animation professional (lead animator, animation director, production coordinator, etc.) who is ready to step into a producing/supervisory role and has relevant industry experience.

This is a lean, resource-constrained production, and success will depend on clever, efficient, and innovative approaches to pipeline design, team structure, and execution. We are specifically looking for someone who views budget limitations as a creative problem to solve, not an obstacle.

This is a HYBRID position. Work will begin remotely, with a temporary relocation to Chicago, IL likely during the contract term for focused production phases, collaboration, or key milestones (details to be discussed with the selected candidate). START: February/ March 2026 - END: September / October 2026.

We already have a completed animatic, and initial work will focus on team-building, visual development, and production planning, followed by animation production and delivery.

Watch the trailer (from the animatic) here: https://youtu.be/cgvWU5nYp4Y'si=BdJxnLwwktzWP_LB

Project Status:
• Script and animatic are complete
• Creative tone and direction are clearly defined
• Entering visual development and production setup

Key Responsibilities:

Production & Pipeline Leadership:
• Design and oversee a cost-efficient 2D rigged animation pipeline
• Translate the completed animatic into a realistic, executable production plan
• Build schedules, milestones, and workflows that reflect budget realities
• Identify risks early and propose creative, practical solutions

Creative & Quality Supervision:
• Maintain consistency in animation quality, performance, and visual style
• Review animation passes and provide clear, actionable notes
• Ensure animation supports story, tone, and character performance
• Balance creative ambition with production feasibility

Team-Building & Management:
• Help source, vet, and onboard artists & animators
• Coordinate small, remote teams and/or individual freelancers
• Determine where limited resources will have the greatest on-screen impact
• Serve as the communication bridge between creators and artists

Low-Budget Problem Solving:
• Develop strategies to maximize value from a limited budget
• Optimize rig reuse, shot design, asset scope, and animation density
• Identify smart trade-offs that preserve quality where it matters most
• Propose tools, workflows, or production models that reduce cost without sacrificing storytelling

Logistics & Delivery:
• Establish asset management, versioning, and handoff standards
• Ensure deliverables meet technical and creative requirements
• Provide regular progress updates to producers and stakeholders
• Support post-production and final delivery as needed

Qualifications:

Experience Flexibility:
Prior ''Animation Producer'' credit is not required. We welcome candidates with strong animation industry experience who are ready to step up into a producing or supervisory role, provided they demonstrate readiness to manage people, process, and scope.

Required:
• Relevant professional experience in animation (animation, direction, supervision, production coordination, or similar)
• Strong understanding of 2D rigged animation pipelines
• Proven organizational, leadership, and communication skills
• Ability to balance creative goals with production constraints
• Comfort working in low-budget, indie production environments

Preferred:
• Experience on animated pilots, series, or narrative projects
• Prior low-budget or independent animation experience
• Experience coordinating remote or freelance teams
• Familiarity with cost-conscious production planning
• Interest in long-term involvement if the project advances to series