Opportunities
In our goal to create a collaborative artistic community, we’re excited to show you all the ways you can be a part of Strange Animals. Whether you’ve worked on large projects or simply create in your free time, we want you!
We’ll provide you with the artistic vision and the final goal, and you bring your own creative process. It doesn’t matter what software you use or how you use it, what matters is that you’re creating in the way that supports your best work. We’re not interested in telling you how to create, we’re interested in inspiring you to create.
If you’d like to participate, we ask that you’re appropriately licensed for the software you contribute with, meaning you are able to contribute work for commercial projects.
Given our volunteer-based structure, you can work as much or as little on the film as you want. If you only make one background or you provide months of animation, every contribution brings Strange Animals to life. We’re building a community, not a competition.
Many creative tools now integrate AI-assisted features into workflows. However, we ask that all creative work provided be your own and not AI-generated. Strange Animals is about humans, so it would only make sense that humans make it too.
What can I expect?
What you can do
Creative contributors can fit in wherever they’d like to. That means you can work on any part of the film you’d like, and we’ll integrate you into whatever team we currently have working on that piece. You can expect remote collaboration. So, you can work from anywhere, and we will review materials with you via calls and digital communication. If we can support in-person meetings, we will explore that possibility with you.
About our volunteer approach
Because we are a volunteer-based production, scheduling, deadlines, reviews, and other production goals are flexible. Life comes first for everyone working on the project as our focus is to make the film a creative outlet for those working on it. While we aren’t currently able to provide monetary compensation, you can absolutely expect contribution credits for the film. We want to respect and highlight any creative contributions to the film no matter how large or small they may be.
Learning and experimentation
No one is expected to be an expert—we are forever learning, so we wouldn’t expect anything different for you. If you have experience in animation, but want to experiment in backgrounds, we’re here to support you and connect you with those who do have experience in that realm. Many of us work in unrelated fields, using the film to channel our hobbies into something bigger.
Communication and flexibility
Communication will be key for our production. As work-life balances inevitably shift, we expect contributors will at times be incredibly present and also take hiatuses. This means goals may shift amongst teams. We will be transparent about production lulls or where we need more support. Just let us know if your availability changes so we can transition work to other contributors as needed. By joining us, you are by no means obligated to stay through the entire production if your priorities shift.
Unions and Non-Union Status
We are currently not a signatory to any entertainment union agreements. If you’re a member of a union or professional organization and believe participating in our production may affect your standing or obligations, please reach out to us and we can discuss any potential conflicts together.
Note: For all contributors, we will require your signature on a creative contributor agreement. The creative contributor agreement is so we have the legal rights necessary to include your work in Strange Animals. It is designed to protect both you, the contributor, and us. Moreover, it allows clean ownership for film festivals and distributors. If you have any questions regarding this document, reach out to us and we’ll happily discuss anything that’s hanging you up!
If you’re interested in joining our community, reach out using the email below and include the following:
Your full name
Where you are based
What you would like to contribute
Relevant experience
What software/equipment you use or have used
Whether your software license(s) allow commercial use
Anything else you want us to know
Creative Opportunities
Below you’ll find lists of areas where we are looking for support. This is not all-inclusive, so if you aren’t seeing an area you have experience in, please reach out and we’ll work with you.
Animation
Hand-drawn 2D animators
3D animators
Animatic animators
Toon Boom Harmony animators
FX animators
Currently used software: Toon Boom Harmony, Blender
Additional notes: Characters are traditionally animated to preserve creative vision.
Background art
Animation background designers
Animation background artists
Painters
texture artists
Currently used software: Autodesk Sketchbook, Procreate
Additional notes: We are experimenting with recreating the look of vintage animation backgrounds and are exploring physical painting / photography as a method of achieving this look.
Asset creation
3D Modelers
VFX artists
Prop artists
Currently used software: Blender
Additional notes: Many shorts are planned to use 3D models/props and 3D renderings of painted backgrounds.
Character Design
Character sheet artists (turnarounds)
Costume designers
Background character artists
Currently used software: Toon Boom Harmony, Autodesk Sketchbook, Procreate
Additional notes: Characters are simple but derive defining characteristics through hair, body shape, facial structure, color scheme, and clothing.
Filming and crew
Videographers/Photographers
Cinematographers
Gaffers (lighting)
Riggers
Currently used equipment: Fuji Film XT3 Camera
Additional notes: Hybrid scenes require environmental set-up to include lighting and rigging items used or moved by animated characters.
Sound and Music
Sound engineers
Sound mixers
Foley artists
SFX editors
Music composers / bands
Orchestrators
Music editors
Music licensing agents / researchers
Currently used software: Audacity, Davinci Resolve Studio
Currently used equipment: Insignia NS-PAUBMD8
Additional notes: Sound and music volunteers will be assigned to an animatic.
Compositing and Editing
Toon Boom Harmony Compositors
Davinci Resolve Compositors
Compositors
Color Graders
Editors
Davinci Resolve Editors
VFX editors
Currently used software: Davinci Resolve Studio, Toon Boom Harmony
Marketing and social media
Website designers
Graphic designers
Social Media
Festival preparations
Currently used software: Squarespace
Currently used social media: Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, X, YouTube
Don’t see your area?
No problem. This list isn’t exhaustive. Reach out using the email below and let’s explore how you can contribute to Strange Animals.