Arcade Monsters - Freelance 2D Animator – Short Form Animated Stories

Client: Arcade Monsters

Location: Remote

Contract: Contract

Job Description

We are hiring a talented animator to help create visually engaging animated stories for social media and other digital platforms. Each completed episode will generally run approximately 5–8 minutes and will combine strong storytelling, expressive characters, cinematic environments, and smooth visual pacing. The animator will be responsible for taking a completed story or script and turning it into a polished animation from beginning to end, which includes storyboarding, character animation, backgrounds, scene transitions, sound effects, and final editing.

Requirements

• Strong portfolio of completed animation work
• Experience creating 2D animated stories or cinematic short films
• Strong understanding of storytelling, pacing, lighting, and composition
• Ability to create expressive characters and visually interesting scenes
• Consistent and reliable communication
• Ability to follow detailed creative direction
• Experience with Adobe Animate, After Effects, Toon Boom, Blender, Moho, or similar software
• Ability to maintain consistent quality across longer projects
• AI-assisted animation experience is welcome, provided the finished work is polished, original, and commercially usable

Responsibilities

• Turn written stories and scripts into completed animated videos
• Develop storyboards and scene compositions
• Animate characters, expressions, movement, and environments
• Maintain consistent character appearances throughout each story
• Create engaging camera movements and transitions
• Add sound effects, music, and dialogue when required
• Deliver completed projects in the correct format and resolution
• Make reasonable revisions based on feedback
• Meet agreed-upon production deadlines

Application Process

Selected candidates will be asked to complete a paid 45-second test animation based on a portion of one of our stories. The test will help us evaluate animation quality, storytelling, communication, and overall fit before assigning a full episode.

To apply, please submit:

• A link to your animation portfolio
• Examples that best represent the style and quality you can personally deliver
• Your price per finished minute or estimated price for a 5–8 minute animation
• Your estimated turnaround time for a 45-second test
• Your estimated turnaround time for a complete 5–8 minute episode
• A list of the animation software and tools you use
• A description of which parts of production you personally handle
• Confirmation that we will receive full commercial usage rights to the completed work

Please do not apply without relevant animation samples. We are looking for a dependable animator interested in ongoing work if the first project is successful.

Additional Information

Job Type: Freelance / Contract

Location: Remote (Murrieta)

Schedule: Project-based, with ongoing work available

Pay: $45.00 - $55.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40.0 per week