I NEED A CG ARTIST/ ANIMATOR

  • I spent years helping film school students complete CG animated films required for graduation. One thing became clear very quickly: doing everything on a film alone is rarely realistic. Animation production is collaborative by nature, and even the strongest students often need help to finish something they can truly stand behind.

    This page exists to help bridge that gap.

    Here you'll find animators who are hungry to work on real shots, contribute meaningfully to a project, and build reel material that goes beyond classroom exercises. It's a place to connect creators with artists who want practical experience, creative ownership, and the satisfaction of helping a project cross the finish line.

    No fluff. Just people who want to make something and learn by doing it.

  • The cost of a CG artist depends on experience level, specialization, and the complexity of the work involved. The ranges below are intended to help you budget realistically and avoid common misconceptions about time and cost.

  • How Much Does a Quality Animator or CG Artist Cost?

    Experienced animators and CG artists working in feature film or AAA game production typically earn:

    $2,000–$4,000 per week

    Time requirements vary widely by task:

    • Animation per shot: 2–12 weeks
      Factors include acting complexity, shot length, camera movement, and revision cycles.

    • Game animation: Hours to days for simple actions
      Engine constraints and frame limits significantly reduce scope.

    • Character modeling (stylized): 2–4 weeks

    • Photoreal characters: Several months in feature production
      Especially when iteration is driven by director or studio feedback.

    • Texturing, lighting, fur, cloth, and rendering: Days to weeks per shot
      Dependent on look development, pipeline maturity, and asset reuse.

    Costs and schedules are influenced by:

    • Look development requirements

    • Rig and design complexity

    • Number of characters per shot

    • Reuse of assets such as lighting setups, props, and environments

    There is no universally “easy” animation style. Every approach involves trade-offs in time, cost, and flexibility.

  • These ranges reflect what you may encounter on independent projects:

    • Student / Early-Career / Entry-Level
      Free – $500 per week (~$12/hour)
      Suitable for learning projects or very limited scope work.

    • Intermediate Artist
      $500–$1,000 per week (~$25/hour)
      Can handle clearly defined tasks with moderate supervision.

    • Advanced / Senior Artist
      $2,000–$3,000 per week ($50–$75/hour)
      Production-ready work, reliable delivery, and fewer surprises.

    • Director / Supervisor
      $4,000–$6,000 per week ($100–$150/hour)
      Responsible for creative oversight, problem-solving, and keeping the team moving.

  • Finding the right animator or CG artist depends on your budget, timeline, and how well-defined your project is. Below are common places creators successfully connect with artists, along with what each option is best suited for.

    Animation Schools & Training Programs

    • Film schools, Animation programs, and online academies

    • Great for students and early-career artists looking for real shots beyond class assignments

    • Best for short films, limited scope work, or collaborative learning projects

    • Tip: Be clear about expectations, deadlines, and credit. Students are motivated, but structure matters.

    Discord Communities & Online Forums

    Good for finding hungry artists, collaborators, and specialists

    These spaces work best when your post is specific: style, software, scope, timeline, and whether it's paid, unpaid, or hybrid.

    Portfolio Platforms

    Personal Networks & Referrals

    • Former classmates, colleagues, instructors

    • Recommendations from artists you already trust

    This is often the fastest way to find reliable talent, especially for senior or supervisory roles.

    Thinking Animation Community

    This page exists to connect creators with animators who want:

    • Collaboration that goes beyond classroom exercises

    • Check out the Thinking Animation Discord

    If you're making your own film, story, or experiment and need help finishing it, this is where those connections start.

  • A Few Rules First

    • Do not post requests for free labor on professional job boards.

    • Be explicit about pay, expectations, scope, and schedule.

    • Respect that experienced artists are evaluating you just as much as you are evaluating them.

    Clear communication saves everyone time.

    Sample Job Post

    Hi, my name is __________. I am a director producing a short animated film approximately ___ seconds in length.

    This is a paid / unpaid position (please state clearly). The film will be submitted to animation festivals and competitions and will not be used commercially. (Or if it will be sold/aired commercially, state how and where, and when)

    Compensation is $______, and full screen credit will be provided.

    If you are interested, I can share additional details, including character meshes, reference material, and a proposed production schedule.

    Animation Requirements

    (Select only what applies)

    • Photoreal or stylized motion

    • Acting and performance-driven animation

    • Body mechanics and broad motion

    • Facial animation and lip-sync

    • Prop interaction and constraint-based animation

    • Creature or quadruped motion

    • Hand-animated secondary motion (no simulation)

    • Dynamics or simulation work

    • Ability to revise animation based on feedback

    Asset / Technical Requirements (select what applies)

    (Select only what applies)

    • Organic modeling

    • Hard-surface modeling

    • UV layout and texture painting

    • Lighting and look development

    • Rendering and compositing

    • Comfortable working with pre-existing rigs and assets

    • Ability to take direction, meet deadlines, and work independently

    Please include links to your reel or examples of relevant work when responding.