Available to hire
I’m Salman J. Hashmi, an Animation Director and Character Animation Lead with 18+ years of experience creating expressive character performances and cinematic storytelling across AAA games, feature films, television, VFX, VR, and original animation. I enjoy bridging performance and mechanics—hand-key, motion capture, and real-time workflows—while keeping animation readable, grounded, and production-ready.
I’ve led teams and developed animation pipelines and style guides, partnering closely with design, engineering, character art, production, and editorial to hit creative goals on schedule. From directing gameplay and cinematic animation to supervising 200+ shot seasons and building animation-ready rigs in Maya and Unreal/Control Rig workflows, I focus on acting, staging, timing, and collaboration that elevates the final on-screen result.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Beginner
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Astrobeam - Contract Senior Animator at Astrobeam
September 1, 2025 - October 1, 2025Created immersive VR character animation directly in Unity, collaborating with engineering and design on real-time interactive experiences.
Senior Animator at Astrobeam
September 1, 2025 - October 1, 2025Character animation for VR game, animated directly in Unity.
Senior Animator (Contract) at Astrobeam
September 1, 2025 - October 1, 2025Character Animation for VR Game animated directly in Unity.
Contract Senior Animator at Astrobeam
September 1, 2025 - October 1, 2025Character Animation for VR Game animated directly in Unity
Contract Senior Animator at AGBO
July 31, 2025 - July 30, 2025Character Animation for Michael Bay short film.
AGBO - Senior Animator at AGBO
June 1, 2025 - July 1, 2025Created cinematic character animation for a Michael Bay-directed short film, delivering expressive performances aligned with narrative and creative direction.
Contract Senior Cinematic Animator at AGBO
June 1, 2025 - July 1, 2025Created cinematic character animation for a short film directed by Michael Bay. Delivered high-impact action animation combining hand-key performance with motion capture integration. Collaborated directly with creative leadership to refine performance, pacing, and storytelling.
Senior Animator at AGBO
June 1, 2025 - July 1, 2025Character animation for Michael Bay short film.
Senior Animator (Contract) at AGBO
June 1, 2025 - July 1, 2025Character Animation for Michael Bay short film.
Animation Director at Decoy Games
September 30, 2024 - July 30, 2025Creating stylized hand keyed animations for new original IP. Supervised, managed and mentored department staff, critiqued work. Directed and reviewed all animation and shots for cinematics as well as editing final cut. Collaborated with teams (Devs, Environment, Character, etc.) to achieve project vision. Managed animation process and broke down complexities that arose, developing solutions. Worked with leads and producers to formulate schedule and production deliverables.
Lead/Senior Animator at Halon Entertainment
July 31, 2022 - July 30, 2025Previs, Layout, Animation Lead on projects including Aquaman 2, Slumberland, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. KeyFrame and Motion Capture Animation for Fortnite Cinematics, Launch Trailer: New World, Bloodlines 2, Disintegration, Outer Worlds, Borderland 3 E3 AAA Game Trailer & Launch Trailer, Just Cause 4. Previs and Layout animation for Ford V. Ferrari, Call of the Wild, Snake Eyes, and Free Guy.
Animation Director / Cinematic Director at Decoy Games
February 1, 2022 - September 1, 2024Directed gameplay and cinematic animation for an original Unity title from concept through final implementation. Established the animation quality bar, visual style, and character performance across the project. Led and mentored a team of eight animators with daily reviews and performance feedback. Developed and implemented a studio-wide animation style guide to improve consistency across gameplay, cinematics, and character performances. Collaborated with design, engineering, character art, and production teams to align animation quality with creative vision, technical requirements, and milestones. Led animation reviews, built production schedules, prioritized animation tasks, and coordinated delivery with studio leadership.
Animation Director at Decoy Games
February 1, 2022 - September 1, 2024Creating stylized hand-keyed animations for new original IP. Supervising, managing, and mentoring department staff. Critiquing work. Directing and reviewing all animation and shots for cinematics as well as editing the final cut. Collaborating with development, environment, character teams, etc., to achieve project vision. Managing animation process and breaking down complexities to develop solutions. Working with leads and producers to formulate schedules and production deliverables.
Senior Animator at Encore VFX
November 30, 2021 - July 30, 2025Character and creature animation for Supergirl, Doom Patrol, and various other shows. Match Move Animation.
Senior Animator at Encore VFX
July 1, 2021 - November 1, 2021Character and creature animation for Supergirl, Doom Patrol, and various other shows. Match move animation.
Senior Animator (Contract) at Encore VFX
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021Produced broadcast-quality character animation for episodic television using Maya within established production pipelines.
Lead Animator at Mojiit
October 31, 2018 - July 30, 2025Created and developed in-app character animations and personality for Avatar. Created mobile/text animations and developed storyboards.
Lead Animator at Mojiit
August 1, 2018 - October 1, 2018Created and developed in-app character animations and personality for avatar. Created mobile/text animations and developed storyboards.
Lead Animator / Previs Artist at Halon Entertainment
March 1, 2018 - January 31, 2022Created previs animation, cinematic layouts, and performance-driven sequences for feature films, AAA games, and game trailers using Unreal Engine, Maya, and virtual production workflows. Collaborated with directors, editors, production designers, and VFX supervisors to create Unreal Engine previs, cinematic layouts, camera staging, and story-driven sequences. Participated in editorial reviews to refine animation timing, camera composition, and narrative clarity. Contributed to high-profile productions including Ford v Ferrari, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Slumberland, Fortnite, and Borderlands 3.
Lead Animator (Cinematics & Real-Time) at Halon Entertainment
March 1, 2018 - January 1, 2022Led animation teams producing high-profile marketing cinematics and real-time sequences for major game titles. Supervised animation teams delivering cinematic content under tight production schedules. Produced high-quality real-time cinematics for AAA titles including Fortnite, Borderlands 3, Just Cause 4, Disintegration, The Outer Worlds, New World. Translated previs sequences into polished animation optimized for real-time engine delivery. Films include Ford Vs Ferrari, Aquaman 2, Slumberland, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Call of the Wild. Maintained high standards of physical believability and dynamic action performance. Coordinated closely with production and technical teams to ensure engine-ready animation delivery.
Lead/Senior Animator at Halon Entertainment
March 1, 2018 - July 1, 2022Previs, layout, and animation lead for films such as Aquaman 2, Slumberland, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Keyframe and motion capture animation for Fortnite Cinematics, Launch Trailer: New World, Bloodlines 2, Disintegration, Outer Worlds, Borderland 3 E3 AAA Game Trailer & Launch Trailer, and Just Cause 4. Also involved in previs, layout, and animation for Ford V. Ferrari, Call of the Wild, Snake Eyes, and Free Guy.
Lead Animator at Bardel Entertainment
December 31, 2017 - July 30, 2025Led a team of 9-10 animators on Dreamworks DinoTrux Supercharged. Critiqued work and maintained style quality of the show. CG Keyframe Animation in Maya. Worked on Annie Award Nominated Episode “Crabcavator.”
Lead Character Animator at Bardel Entertainment
August 1, 2015 - December 31, 2017Served as Lead Animator on DreamWorks Animation Television's Dinotrux Supercharged, delivering shots from layout through final animation while maintaining style, continuity, and character performance. Supervised a team of 10 animators across 200+ shots per season, providing animation reviews, performance feedback, and creative direction to ensure consistent quality and on-time delivery. Led animation on the Annie Award-nominated episode "Crabcavator," collaborating with directors, production, and CG leadership. Reviewed blocking, spline, and final animation and provided detailed notes on performance, staging, timing, and storytelling. Developed pose libraries, animation review processes, and production benchmarks to improve consistency and reduce revisions.
Lead Animator at Bardel Entertainment
August 1, 2015 - December 1, 2017Led a team of 9-10 animators for Dreamworks DinoTrux Supercharged. Critiqued work and maintained style quality of the show. CG keyframe animation in Maya. Worked on Annie Award nominated episode “Crabcavator”.
Animation Intern at Pendulum Studios
January 31, 2009 - July 30, 2025Realistic Hand Keyed Facial Animation in Maya for Red Faction.
Animation Intern at Pendulum Studios
November 1, 2008 - January 1, 2009Realistic hand-keyed facial animation in Maya for Red Faction.
Independent Creative Director / Animation Director
September 1, 2007 - PresentDirected animation, cinematics, and creative projects from concept through final delivery across games, television, VR, mobile applications, and original productions. Created and pitched an original animated series, leading story development, layout, character animation, rigging, voice direction, editorial, and production planning while overseeing character performances. Rigged original characters in Maya and developed animation-ready assets and animation pipelines utilizing Unreal Engine, Maya, and Control Rig workflows. Produced VR experiences, interactive media, motion graphics, and branded content while collaborating across creative, technical, and product teams.
Independent Animation Director / Senior Animator at Independent / Freelance
September 1, 2007 - PresentDelivered gameplay and cinematic animation for multiple interactive projects across Unreal and Unity pipelines. Created combat, traversal, and interaction animations using both hand-key and motion capture workflows. Cleaned, retargeted, and refined motion capture data in Maya. Implemented animations into gameplay systems including state machines and blend trees. Collaborated with engineering to debug animation events, timing offsets, and system conflicts. Participated in mocap shoot planning, providing direction and performance targets aligned with gameplay requirements. Led the development of an original children’s TV series pilot, overseeing visual development, animation production, and storytelling leadership.
Freelance Designer / Animator at Various Clients (Dreamworks TV, Sony, Fox, Warner Brothers, Netflix, Epic Games, etc.)
September 1, 2007 - PresentMaya, Unreal, and Unity CG keyframe animation; light modeling/rigging; VR animation and play testing; UI/UX design; graphic design & illustration; mobile app and game development.
Freelance Designer / Animator at Various Companies (Dreamworks TV, Sony, Fox, Warner Brothers, Netflix, Epic Games, Obsidian, Maya, Unreal, and Unity)
September 1, 2007 - PresentCG Keyframe Animation; Light Modeling/Rigging; VR Animation and Play Testing; UI/UX Design; Graphic Design & Illustration; Mobile App & Mobile Game Development.
Freelance Designer / Animator at Various
September 1, 2007 - PresentCompanies: Dreamworks TV, Sony, Fox, Warner Brothers, Netflix, Epic Games, Obsidian; Maya, Unreal, and Unity; CG Keyframe Animation; Light Modeling/Rigging; VR Animation and Play Testing; UI/UX Design; Graphic Design & Illustration; Mobile App & Mobile Game Development
Freelance Designer / Animator
September 1, 2007 - PresentWorked with companies like Dreamworks TV, Sony, Fox, Warner Brothers, Netflix, Epic Games, and Obsidian. Responsibilities included CG Keyframe Animation, light modeling/rigging, UI/UX design, graphic design & illustration, mobile app and mobile game development.
Freelance Designer / Animator at Various Companies
September 1, 2007 - April 27, 2024Worked with Dreamworks TV, Sony, Fox, Warner Brothers, Netflix, Epic Games, Obsidian on CG keyframe animation and light modeling/rigging. Also involved in UI/UX design, graphic design & illustration, and mobile app & mobile game development.
Education
Bachelors of Science Degree at The Art Institute of California-San Diego
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2012Bachelors of Science Degree at The Art Institute of California-San Diego
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2009Certificate in Character Animation at Animation Mentor
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025Bachelor of Science Degree in Media Arts and Animation at The Art Institute of California-San Diego
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025Certificate in Character Animation at Animation Mentor
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025Bachelor of Science Degree in Media Arts and Animation at The Art Institute of California-San Diego
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025Certificate in Character Animation at Animation Mentor
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Bachelor of Science in Media Arts and Animation at The Art Institute of California-San Diego
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Certificate in Character Animation at Animation Mentor
January 11, 2030 - March 27, 2026Bachelor of Science in Media Arts and Animation at The Art Institute of California-San Diego
January 11, 2030 - March 27, 2026Certificate in Character Animation at Animation Mentor
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026Bachelors of Science Degree Media Arts and Animation at The Art Institute of California-San Diego
January 11, 2030 - August 13, 2026Certificate in Character Animation at Animation Mentor
January 11, 2030 - September 1, 2026Bachelors of Science Degree (Media Arts and Animation) at The Art Institute of California-San Diego
January 11, 2030 - September 1, 2026Bachelor of Science Degree (Media Arts and Animation) at The Art Institute of California-San Diego
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2026Certificate in Character Animation at Animation Mentor
January 11, 2030 - October 5, 2026Qualifications
Certificate in Character Animation
January 11, 2030 - June 17, 2025Certificate in Character Animation
January 11, 2030 - July 30, 2025Certificate in Character Animation
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025Certificate in Character Animation
January 11, 2030 - December 30, 2025Animation Mentor Certificate in Character Animation
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Bachelor of Science in Media Arts and Animation
January 11, 2030 - January 13, 2026Certificate in Character Animation
January 11, 2030 - March 27, 2026Animation Mentor - Certificate in Character Animation
January 11, 2030 - September 1, 2026Industry Experience
Gaming, Media & Entertainment, Education, Software & Internet, Computers & Electronics, Other
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