List of Animation Job Titles!

Obviously, in any given production, a person can take on multiple roles.  There are more jobs than are on this list. 

Executive Producer: (Changes per production. Creative producer can be executive producer.) Oversees film in question, and oversees all parts of film with regards to finances, resources, and copyrights. In the case of this class, me! (I'm providing the time and the school is providing resources to help you complete your film. No need to credit me as such, however. EP is tasked with making sure you turn in your projects on time and making sure you don't break copyright laws and plagiarize.  EP talks to the "powers that be" to make sure you have all of the funds and resources for this film.  To ensure you're ready in case you work for a network with lots of "suits," I will play the role of the "hands off" executive producer you report to, and you will not credit me in the film as such. (A teacher mention in the special thanks is optional, but good enough for me. lol)

Creative Producer/Director:  Without this person, the film does not get produced.  Oversees all aspects of the film's production, making sure that the vision is maintained, and the creation reaches it's fullest potential. Those of you that have your films approved are in this position by default, but you are free to pass it up to others periodically.  You are not a Dictator, and you will not run your production like one.  But you are a leader now, and you must make sure you know the times to lead, and the times to follow. Contrary to popular belief, there will be a 51/49 split in this department. You will find out where the split lies.

Animator: (You know the drill by now!)

Animation Director: Controls the overall quality of the animation in production. In larger productions, there will be individual directors for animation, sound, special effects, and any other part of the project that can be broken down into more manageable chunks.

Key Animator: (Animates primarily keyframes and extremes of animation. )

Inbetween Animator: (Animates the in-betweens. Matches the style of the film.  A great position for those entry-level artists who want to boost their fundamental skills in animating, because it forces you to adapt to a level of artistry you may or may not be used to.  By the end, you have learned a lot of what helps the director)

Background Artist: Creates environments. May or may not color them.  May possible draw only, and give to Color Artist.)

Character Designer:  Refines character designs and optimizes them for animation production. makes sure that all designs are as polished as can be.

Cleanup Artist: (Ensures all lineart maintains a consistent quality.)

Layout Artist: Takes the team's storyboards into ToonBoom Animate. Develops files that have proper layering and layout for animation, making it easier for all members of the team to animate.  (Probably best done together as a group.)

Color Artist:  Specializes on giving the film the best color palette imaginable.  Best for someone wanting to push their ability of color theory to the max.  A color script and ample lineart must be generated before color production begins.

Executive Sound Director:  Guides the teams in their exploits for film.

Sound Designer:  Gathers and coordinates acquisition of all sound necessary for film.

Foley Artist:  A person who creates customized sounds from scratch to give the film a personal touch.

Sound Editor and EQ: A person who takes the sounds gathered and makes sure they all play at a respectable level for multiple shots.  (The recommended decibel level when all sounds are mixed together:  -12db)

Compositing and FX:  Post production position where the film is taken to software like after effects and/or final cut for laying in sound, audio, and other special effects. Sound can be added in toon boom as well.

Production Coordinator: Makes sure everyone stays on time and on schedule.

You will create extra jobs

Storyboard Artist (Story Artist): Develops the storyboards of the film.

Technical Director (Research and Development (R&D):  Determines the software, hardware, analog, and electronic resources used to create the film.  Usually a team all on it's own, anyone in the research department (R&D) makes sure all software is operating at peak capacity for the artists.  They are also there to provide feedback for any "How do I possibly do this?" and "What can I do with this?" questions.