Matchmove Artist

Based in Vancouver BC, Image Engine is a world-class visual effects studio led by a team of creative and passionate individuals who are committed to furthering the art of visual storytelling. We offer a full range of visual effects services from concept designs and pre-visualization to computer-generated animation, compositing, and explosive volumetric digital effects.

Involved from the very first stages of production, our exceptionally talented crew works closely with clients to push artistic and technical boundaries. R&D is central to our philosophy of driving creativity through innovation, with a focus on continually evolving our robust production pipelines and pioneering in the area of proprietary software development.

Well-known for our groundbreaking alien animations in Neill Blomkamp’s critically-acclaimed film District 9, we have gone on to produce more award-winning work in The Mandalorian, Game Of Thrones, Lost in Space, Jurassic World, Elysium, and most recently, we received an Emmy Award for our VFX work in The Book of Boba Fett.

Our recent productions include The Mandalorian: Season 3, The Three-Body Problem, Willow, The School for Good and Evil, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Moon Knight, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Snowpiercer, Hawkeye, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Mulan, and much more.

**POSITION PURPOSE**

The Matchmove Lead is responsible for delivering the most difficult shots in a quick and efficient manner within the required timeframe at a high quality. The Outsource Lead MM will assist the MM Supervisor in the quality control and supervision of Matchmove Outsource. They will have an expert knowledge base of the tools and software required to execute high quality shots and deliver complex Camera MM, Roto-animation, object tracks and shot sculpting in a timely manner. They provide training and documentation to artists and they will quality check all of their work and will assist the MM Supervisor to quality check the work of Outsource. They will act as an example to junior, mid and senior artists. They will work closely with MM Supervisor to communicate potential issues which require the Supervisors attention and recommend solutions.

**DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Performs complex matchmove camera tracking, rotoanim, solving lens distortion, animated distortion, shot sculpts, photo lineups, photogrammatry and custom set builds.
- Identifies solutions and approaches to solve difficult shots with mínimal guidance
- Communicates and collaborates effectively with outsource vendors and the MM Supervisor
- Assists with outsourcing including ingesting and packaging and troubleshooting potential issues
- Does basic composites to judge the camera and object / rotoanim solves
- Provides training and documentation to all Matchmovers
- Updates the documentation for processes and workflow as needed
- Ensures quality standards are met by administering final quality control checks for all Outsource work
- Provides recommendations/technical solutions for effective task completion
- Communicates successes and challenges faced by the Outsource to the Matchmove Supervisor
- Does basic composites of the files with the background to judge the camera and object solves
- Maintains continuity between shots, and troubleshoot problem shots
- Manages time and resources to meet weekly targets

**EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE**
- 5+ years’ experience with a high-level film-TV VFX pipeline in MM
- Must have expert experience with Linux, 3DEqualizer & Maya
- Must have experience with Python and Mel
- Nuke, Photoscan & Houdini a plus
- Fully understands an iteration intensive shot pipeline
- Experience with Lidar, Total station data and survey a plus

**SKILLS AND ABILITIES**

**Technical skills**
- Strong understanding of on-set photography and film and how various camera rigs create camera movement in live action plates
- Expert understanding of Linux, 3DEqualizer & Maya
- Experience with Photogrammatry, Photography, Lidar, Total station data and survey a plus
- Ability to train and coach artists in Matchmove skills/techniques

**Core skills**
- Ability to troubleshoot and deal with competing priorities
- Excellent time management and communication skills
- Must have an eye for detail - capable of problem solving and Quality Control of their own work
- Ability to be adaptable and accepting of changes in a production schedule
- Aware of project schedules and capable of delivering work to deadlines
- An understanding of animation principles and work methods
- Capable of supervising a team of artists and setting expectations
- Ability to assess artist’s strengths and weaknesses to assign tasks and manage workflow
- Strong leadership skills