Character Modelling Supervisor

**Key Purpose of the Job**

The Character Model Supervisor is responsible for realising the creative aims of the Director and Visual Effects Supervisor with their knowledge and talent in creating the highly detailed character models. They are responsible for maintaining quality and consistency across all character assets. They will be expected to offer guidance to Leads and the Model team and offer appropriate mentoring to assist them in meeting the expected quality of work. They will work closely with all other Leads and Supervisors on the show to create a cohesive team. This will ensure deliveries from Modelling will meet the requirements and standards expected by downstream departments. They will contribute to bidding and crewing for their project and have further responsibilities to the facility in terms of managing their team, providing feedback on crew, and proactively improving the facility pipeline for the long term.
**Needs to Do**:

- Build and execute complex character assets and supervise the work of the Modeling Leads and Artists. Has demonstrated mastery and knowledge of various techniques and tools required in this role.
- Ensure that the artistic vision of the Film Makers, VFX Supervisor and Art Director for characters is carried out on schedule and on budget. Interpret and translate creative direction given by the Visual Effects Supervisor and Art Director to the various team Leads.
- Establish and enforce standards, directory structure, naming conventions and versioning for all assets for the Modelling department. In doing so for character assets, these assets will work well for Rigging and the rest of the pipeline.
- Perform daily one-on-one rounds with Artists, with the Leads as appropriate. Critique work and assist with problem solving. Troubleshoot creative and technical issues as they arise and determine when assets and setups are ready for review.
- Attend other departments’ reviews as needed to address character needs, questions or comments.
- Work with the VFX Supervisor and other departments to communicate character model team needs and provide for other departments’ needs.
- Bid the schedule with the VFX Supervisor, Production Supervisor and Leads.
- Ensure the good presentation of the character work and have ability to speak to decisions made to creative leadership.
- Proactively maintain a consistent working methodology by actively sharing tips and tricks between shows, partnering with other Supervisors and staying current on other shows’ development and initiative while staying abreast of the various tools.
- Highlight cost implications of requests or changes with input from the various Leads.
**Needs to Know**:

- At least 5 years Feature Animation/VFX post-production experience.
- Team Lead or Supervisor on a team relevant to the tasks of Modelling on 2 major projects required.
- Creative eye and aesthetic judgement - knowing composition, cinematic design and animation timing.
- Thorough understanding of the complete VFX/Feature Animation Pipeline, with specific skills in character building.
- Good history of collaborating with RND, production and supervising teams - ability to evaluate and work with RND in creating tools specifications, then test these tools in a high-pressure production environment.
- Advanced understanding of all relevant software.
**Global**:

- Work with TDs, RND, and Production Management to improve and evolve the production pipeline and methodologies.
- Communicate to RND, Production Technology or VFX Supervisor requests for new tools and improvements to existing tools.
- Participate in technology meetings and other meeting as required to help evolve the toolset towards studio objectives.
- Be innovative and bring new ideas and solutions to the show and studio driving the studio to lead in innovation.
**Needs to Be and Managerial**:

- Proven team leader with strong motivational qualities.
- Technically and creatively astute.
- Highly organised.
- Able to effectively communicate with people at all levels.
- Appropriately elevate issues and solutions to Production Management.
- Work closely with the Production Supervisors, and show Leads, in the management of the Modelling team, and in creating the schedule. Ensure quotas/deadlines are met. Supervises the Modelling Artists.
- Work with the Production Supervisor, team Leads, on casting shots/assignments to their teams.
- Work to understand the wants and needs of _all_ teams that interact with the character team including, Art Department, Rigging, Layout, Animation etc.
- Responsible for improving the performance of Artists on the team. Mentor Artists to provide guidance, experience and insight. Involved in trying to resolve performance related issues.
- Responsible with the Production Supervisor for maintaining crew morale. Foster good working atmosphere and ethics.
- Deliver reviews with Production Supervisor to crew members; help manage career growth of staff; provide recommendations for promoti