Studio: Union VFX
Job Opening: VFX Supervisor
Type: Full-Time
Responsibilities:
Project management & operations:
- Manage relationships and lead meetings with Clients, Directors, and Production from the storyboard stage through to final delivery
- Determine production requirements and advise on technology, available processes, and budgets for a variety of VFX projects
- Work with Production, SOM, and DFX/Leads to plan each project’s workflow and artist resourcing
- Work with the Production and Studio Operations Manager to plan shoots, including additional on-set crew requirements and equipment
- Lead designated projects and communicate creative ideas, and manage creative and delivery expectations of both internal and external clients
- Work closely with Production to ensure an accurate collaborative design and execution of the Director’s vision, working within a budget and to the deadline
- Work closely with Production to ensure the production schedule is set up and maintained
- Establish the artistic requirements of projects, set internal goals, and determine the resources required
Creative:
- Collaborate with the client-side production team to ensure the artistic style, quality, and continuity match our Clients’ vision and standards
- Define, communicate, and implement the creative direction of each shot and sequence
- Create sophisticated visual effects involving complex compositions, including both 2D and 3D elements
- Develop ideas and provide solutions to complex technical and creative issues
- Apply a keen creative eye and artistic skills with an understanding of colour, light, and photography
- Act as DFX supe or provide senior-level comping as required
Bidding & sales:
- Build a strong client base by gaining and developing relationships with creative talent and clients
- Work with the Creative Director to help pitch and concept ideas for potential new shows as required
- Provide breakdowns, quotes, and re-bids on complex VFX projects
- Collaborate with the team during the bidding stages, assessing shots and completing shot breakdowns
- Understand and take responsibility for the profitability of projects and contribute in any way possible to help with any creative and technical decisions that may affect this
On-set:
- Plan shoot attendance and equipment needs
- Attend shoots and supervise VFX requirements on-set
- Provide daily on-set reports, references, and elements as required
- Manage the successful creation of VFX plates and elements during production
- Act as a liaison between the Union and the Director and crew, while establishing strong client confidence
- Communicate regularly with our VFX Producer on production status
- Flag overages and conceptual changes that would affect the VFX bid
- Communicate the Director’s insights and feedback, and delegate appropriate tasks to the on-set crew as required
- Troubleshoot issues on a fast-paced schedule, while being able to remain calm and organised
- Work with Producers to manage the transition from shoot to post
Artist management & development:
- Establish the artistic requirements of projects, set internal goals, and determine the resources required
- Effectively brief the teams on the director’s creative vision and enable artists to produce the desired results
Technical & problem solving:
- Review all technical and R&D requirements for the start-up of any new show
- Together with the CG Supervisor, determine technical and workflow aspects of the project
- Proactively recommend ongoing pipeline improvements and development
- Work closely with all departments on pipeline improvements and development, including early development, testing, and R&D needed for the tool and VFX pipeline
- Ensure that all work carried out on the projects fits within our pipeline, where possible
Outreach:
- Attend Outreach events and interviews for senior artists/supervisors
- Represent the company at industry-wide talks and forums
- Work with the Talent Team to source and recruit the best talent
Qualifications & Skills:
- Ability to thrive on a varied working day, getting involved in anything and everything to ensure the smooth running of our business
- A people person who enjoys a high level of collaboration and contact with a wide range of people, and making things happen both independently and by working with others
- Patient, practical, and positive
- Strong planning and prioritising skills
- An innovative thinker and good problem-solver who loves to try new things
- Ability to see where you can make improvements and implement them
- Keen to learn and are able to assimilate knowledge rapidly
- Strong working knowledge of the overall VFX pipeline, VFX shot production, and its iteration process, including the Client approval process
- Strong understanding of colour theory and film application for live-action features, including film-stock, film-grain, colour-space, lookup tables, film processing, and DI processing
- Extensive and current knowledge of VFX tools and creative techniques, and the ability to adapt them to fit the most visually complex projects and find alternative solutions
- A keen creative eye with a strong aesthetic sensibility and an understanding of colour, light, and photography
- Experience leading and supervising film and TV VFX projects
- Excellent people and project management skills – able to lead and direct other artists’ work
- Clear & confident communication skills – able to engage with the team and collaborate closely with other departments
- Client relationship & management skills – able to build and develop strong relationships with Directors and Creatives
- Strong ability to understand and communicate creative ideas
- Ability to step back and identify priorities & focus
- Strong problem-solving, organisation, and time management skills, and the ability to successfully delegate and manage projects
- Flexible and adaptable
- Positive and approachable
- Ability to remain calm and confident in a fast-paced environment
