Look Development Artist

Job Duties(s): Lighting, Scripting / Programming, Shader Writer / Creation

Software Utilized: C++, Python, MELScript, MTOR, SLIM

Genre(s): Visual FX

Summary:

The Look Development Artist works as part of the Look Development team that defines all the technical aspects needed to create the appearance of a 3-D element.

Responsibilites:

• Creating or modify existing shader parameters, painting, and applying texture maps, or developing other custom software to accomplish the art direction goals of character or environment.
• Work with the show supervisors to create final looks and materials for 3D characters and environments to be used in production.
• Runs shots under guidance of Key Creatives
• Participates as a team member in determining various design and technical solutions; provides feedback to other team members of the production.

REQUIREMENTS:

Requirements:

• 5+ years production experience in Features
• Strong, expert user knowledge of prman, mtor, and slim
• Experience rendering large datasets, experience manipulating ribs, and experience setting up Delayed Read Archives.
• Experience with Plug-in Ri Filters a plus.
• Strong problem solving ability and proven good creative eye.
• Ability to write and apply shaders a plus
• Programming experience (RSL, MEL, Python, C++ a plus) a plus
• Must be able to work in a collaborative environment, and taking direction from Supervisors.

Senior Look Development TD MPC Vancouver - Film

Primary Responsibilities:

• Developing the look of a shot or sequence with the supervision team
• Using an array of commercial and proprietary lighting tools to match CG lighting to on-set lighting
• Producing test and final renders of all CG elements
• Creating working comps for review by the supervision team
• Helping establish suitable work techniques for other team members
• Working in partnership with compositors to ensure shots are delivered to the very highest standard.

REQUIREMENTS:

Requirements:

• At least 3 years of proven production lighting experience
• Thorough understanding of techniques and technologies related to CG rendering and compositing
• Excellent communication skills
• Proven technical and creative ability in a large feature-film VFX production environment
• Working knowledge of Shake
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Very good understanding of shading, lighting and rendering terminology
• Very good understanding of production pipelines
• Very good knowledge of a production renderer
• Very good knowledge of node-based compositing software
• General understanding of linux/unix-based operating systems
• Python and MEL scripting experience an advantage

Senior Lighting Technical Director

Senior Lighting Technical Directors (TD) work with direction from the CG Supervisors and Digital Artist Supervisors to create the look of computer generated objects and scenes. They are responsible for lighting, shading, rendering, and some compositing.

* Work with competency, energy and enthusiasm within a team environment with daily supervision to complete a shot.
* Demonstrates good listening and communication skills by openly receiving direction and criticism by asking good questions to confirm clear understanding of the directions and how to approach what needs to be done. Once clear, implements the requested changes immediately and raises flags right away if a solution is not quickly found or if there are any delays, making sure the Supervisors and Production are kept in the loop and are up-to-date on the status of one’s shot work.
* Demonstrates basic presentation/communication skills in dailies/shot review by clearly and briefly outlining what has been accomplished and what next should be addressed in the shot.
* Demonstrates the development of an eye toward anticipating potential problems and knowing what could look better in one’s shot.
* Demonstrates the ability to prioritize tasks managing time well, providing everyone with accurate time estimates on shot task completion
* Responsible for mentoring other digital artists in Lighting and Rendering.

Requirements:

* 8+ years work experience required in visual effects.
* Demo reel demonstrating artistic and technical ability is required for this role.
* Feature film experienced required
* Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Graphics
* Possesses strong computer programming abilities with visual arts skills.
* Strong working knowledge of Linux, C programming Python and shell scripting is required.
* Familiar with Maya, Comptime, Zeno, Commodore and Repo.

Lighting Look Dev Lead at Lucasfilm Animation

Position Summary:
·The role of the Lighting Lead is to develop techniques and procedures to create various CG elements to be used in Animation for Digital Features while establishing a standard for all Technical Directors in continually raising the bar for speed, quality of work and adaptability.

Primary Responsibilities:

·Establishes, defines, and implements techniques and procedures for lighting pipeline.

·Serves as knowledge resource and helps problem solve and guide backend pipeline artists, such as character look dev artists, fx artists, lighting artists, and environments artists.

·Works with the Managing Technical Supervisor to set the tone of the direction of a sequence.

·Monitors sequence progress and, through interaction with the show management team, directs sequence personnel and makes changes to ensure sequence will be completed on time.

·Sets up and lights very complex/multiple creatures (hairy or furry creatures)/elements and environments.
·Develops and writes plug-ins, write/hack renderman shaders as well as MentalRay procedural, volumetric and surface shaders with proficiency.
·Animate moderate objects with proficiency.
·Sets a standard for all Technical Directors in continually raising the bar of for speed, quality of work and adaptability.


Direct Reports: TBD

Education, Experience and Skills:

·Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Computer Graphics or equivalent work experience.
·3 or more year’s show production experience with strong working knowledge of various software platforms including Maya and other high end animation software.
·Supervisory experience preferred.
·Knowledge of Linux and shell scripts
·Highly proficient skills in technical problem solving.
·Excellent communications skills.
·Proficiency with LINUX/UNIX
·Experience w/C++, mel, python, and other scripting languages required.
·A reel demonstrating technical ability is required for this role.


Physical Requirements:
Uses a computer keyboard at least 80% of total work time