I like how it might be proving ground for staff, yes, but more that it is low-pressure, very low commitment.
Stumped for ideas for a new PC? Be an Animator for a month. If its fun, stay around longer. You won't ruin any surprises for yourself, either.
You don't want to play more than 2 hours a week? Or have to mess with the Request Tool or any of that jive? Pick a night when you want, Animate as much or little as you want. Skip two weeks in a row? No big deal. No one's plot or storyline is gonna suffer. Hate the grind and just want to be a part of cool scene? Find one and its your job to make it better.
You want to fight? Go find and become a raptor and go hunting. Best if you can entertain a party of 6 Bynners. If you are really good, you might get to pick which one ganks you. Practice your gurgling death emotes!
I fondly hope it might attract more people to engage with the game. People who want to try something new but aren't inclined to have the burdens of staff. People who still want to positively contribute. I bet some of you readers would be awesome at it.
For the concern about it possibly drawing away active players, is that necessarily a negative?
Imagine the game turned on its head: 8 players on-line, 10 Animators signed-in. (2 staff hidden). Those 8 players might not have to worry so much about if they can find someone to play with. If some of those 10 are watching a movie or playing another game, that's awesome. They're still open to the possibility of peeking in and making something dance and twirl. If its boring for them, they can roll up a PC themselves tomorrow.
Maybe it would open up the possibility of an entirely underserved swath of people engaging with the game who wouldn't easily be able to in any other way? One of the highest obstacles to playing described by our player-base was was the time investment burden. Animators would able to drop out the moment they wanted to do something else without leaving anyone high and dry.