Studio: Framestore
Job Opening: Senior FX Technical Director
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Type: Full-Time
Responsibilities:
- Creating particle, rigid-body, fluid, cloth, fur and/or hair simulations or animations
- Applying lighting and shaders to produce the final rendered image or passing the simulation on to a Lighting Technical Director
- Using a variety of commercial and proprietary FX tools including Maya and Houdini
- Working in partnership with other departments to ensure that shots are delivered to the highest possible standard
- Leading and working within the team to determine the various design solutions needed to create the effects
- Designing and creating images, elements, effects, pipelines, tools and techniques
- Helping to design solutions involving a more procedural approach in order to create the effects required
- Producing reviewable composites of all FX elements for a shot.
- FX TDs will be expected to produce final renders
- Working with producers to take briefs on projects, pitches and bids, as requested
- Mentor junior FX TD’s
Qualifications & Skills:
- An excellent knowledge of Houdini and/or Maya
- A thorough understanding of the techniques and technologies relating to FX simulation and procedural animation
- Previous experience producing effects such as smoke, fire, clouds, water, steam and explosions in addition to simulation techniques for rigid bodies, cloth, and hair
- A good understanding of animation and an eye for motion
- A working knowledge of Vray or Arnold
- A good understanding of the entire visual effects process
- A familiarity with pipeline issues, especially working between multiple packages
- A working knowledge of at least one compositing application (e.g. Nuke) and a solid understanding of the compositing process
- Strong Vex, hscript and/or Mel scripting skills
- Experience in leading a team of FX artists
Desirable Skills:
- A background in both film, episodic, and commercial FX production
- Knowledge in other simulation packages such as Realflow
- Programming skills with C/C++ along with knowledge of the Houdini HDK and/or Maya API
- Python and Unix shell scripting
- Experience with other render packages
- Ambitions to lead and supervise in the future
- Shoot supervision experience a plus
