AnimatorAt — SunBeam Buddies, Inc.

Animation Intern – SunBeam Buddies

Location: Remote
Job Type: Unpaid (IMDB credit and/or internship credit provided)
Schedule: Flexible around work/school schedule

About SunBeam Buddies:

SunBeam Buddies is an educational children’s show that makes learning fun through live-action episodes and animated characters.

Position Overview:

We’re looking for a creative Animation Intern to bring our illustrated characters to life! You’ll work closely with the Show Creator and Editors to develop animations for episodes and social media content, gaining hands-on experience in children’s media production.

Responsibilities:

• Animate characters and graphics for episodes and/or social media.
• Collaborate with the Show Creator to ensure animations align with the show’s vision.
• Maintain consistency in character movement and expressions.
• Meet project deadlines while refining animations.

Requirements:

• Proficiency in animation software (i.e., Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom, Blender, etc.).
• Strong creativity, attention to detail, and ability to follow guidelines.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining communication.
• Passion for children’s media and storytelling.

Benefits:

• Build your portfolio with professional animation work.
• Gain hands-on experience in children’s media.
• Earn IMDB credits and/or internship credit.
• Flexible schedule and collaborative team environment.

If you’re excited about creating animations that make learning fun, apply today!

Tasks

Animation Intern Duties & Responsibilities

Throughout this internship, students will engage in hands-on animation projects that allow them to apply their skills in a real-world production setting. The majority of tasks will be professional or pre-professional in nature, ensuring a valuable learning experience that meets the requirements for college credit.

Primary Duties (80%+ Professional/Pre-Professional Tasks)

1. Character Animation – Animate existing SunBeam Buddies characters for live-action episode integration, ensuring fluid movement and expressive performances.

2. Scene Animation & Visual Effects – Develop animated sequences for use in educational episodes, including character interactions, props, and background enhancements.

3. Lip Syncing & Character Rigging – Sync character animations with recorded voiceovers and assist in refining animation rigs when needed.

4. Storyboarding & Pre-Visualization – Assist in creating simple storyboards or animatics to map out animated scenes before production.

5. Revisions & Feedback Implementation – Incorporate notes from the Show Creator, Director, and Lead Animator to refine animations based on professional feedback.

6. Collaboration with the Creative Team – Work closely with producers, editors, and illustrators to ensure seamless integration of animations into the final episodes.

7. Rendering & File Management – Export and organize animation files in appropriate formats for editing and post-production.

8. Research & Industry Best Practices – Stay up to date on animation trends, software updates, and educational content strategies.

Additional Learning Opportunities (20%)*

9. Portfolio Development – Utilize completed work in a professional portfolio to showcase industry-level experience.

10. Exposure to Industry Professionals – Participate in optional networking opportunities with professionals in animation, screenwriting, and children's media.

11. Social Media Animation Content – Assist in creating short-form animated content for SunBeam Buddies' social media channels.

12. Creative Brainstorming – Contribute to team meetings by pitching ideas for animated sequences, character interactions, and educational storytelling techniques.

This structured approach ensures that students gain real-world experience, expand their professional portfolios, and develop key industry skills in animation production.

Training

During this placement, students will receive hands-on training and mentorship to support their learning and professional development in animation. Training will include:

1. General Orientation – A mandatory onboarding session to introduce the intern to SunBeam Buddies, its mission, workflow, and expectations for the role.

2. Portfolio Development – The opportunity to use completed animations in their professional portfolio, showcasing real-world experience and contributions to an educational children's show.

3. Job Shadowing – Opportunities to observe and learn from our current animator to better understand animation techniques, software tools, and industry best practices.

4. Provision of Work Samples – Access to reference materials, previous animations, and project guidelines to help interns align their work with the show's style and standards.

5. Overview & Contextualization of Tasks – Clear breakdowns of assigned projects, expectations, and creative direction to ensure interns understand their role in the production pipeline.

6. Exposure to Industry Professionals – Opportunities to meet and learn from professionals in related fields, such as screenwriting, directing, and production.

7. Direct Implementation of Work – Interns will see their animations incorporated into live episodes and social media content, gaining real-world experience in a professional setting.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to:

1. Create Professional-Quality Animations – Develop engaging and dynamic animations that align with the visual style and educational goals of a children’s show.

2. Apply Industry-Standard Animation Techniques – Utilize animation software (i.e., Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom, Blender) to enhance character movement, expressions, and storytelling.

3. Collaborate in a Production Environment – Work closely with the Show Creator and production team to meet creative objectives and project deadlines.

4. Adapt to Real-World Project Workflows – Gain experience in project management, feedback implementation, and revision processes in a professional animation setting.

5. Build a Portfolio for Future Opportunities – Develop a strong body of work with credited animations for IMDB and professional use in future job applications.