Cfx Artist

**ABOUT IMAGE ENGINE**

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 Lead Creature Effects TD is responsible for leading a small team in designing and creating simulations related to the realistic movement of a creature, including clothing, hair, fur, skin and muscles. This person will also take charge of the continuing improvement of Image Engine's Creature Effects workflow and tools.

**DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Responsible for delivering the Simulation (Cloth, Muscle and Skin, Hair and Fur) and Technical Animation work (pre and post) for the show/department
- Responsible for working with the relevant Producers and Supervisors to assess, assign and lead the implementation of Creature Effects needs
- Build and maintain Dynamic rigs of varying complexity (hero and background assets, digital doubles etc), to meet the requirements of the show
- Address supervisor and client comments by integrating solutions into assets or providing one-off shot fixes as appropriate to deliver required results with maximum efficiency
- Attend/lead dailies, reviews, and team meetings as required
- Work with the rigging, assets, animation and other departments, as required, to maintain continuity between projects and ensure information is communicated up and down the pipeline
- Write utility scripts and provide input regarding existing tools and interfaces for creature FX pipeline and workflow
- Responsible for achieving high quality work within the time constraints given
- Responsible for the clear communication of creature FX goals and working processes between all departments
- Provide guidance on how to best achieve a certain effect within the available show pipeline
- Estimate the time required for tasks and provide accurate progress reports
- Mentor junior artists

**EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE**
- 5 years+ of feature film/TV production experience
- The CFX Lead should have 5+ years of progressive experience leading small to medium size teams (i.e. 3+ people) on large projects (300+ shots).
- Strong understanding of real-world physics and anatomy and a desire to learn more depending on the requirements of the project
- Proficient in Maya
- Strong communication skills and a clear understanding of animation requirements. The applicant must be able to work alongside other creative and technical artists.

**SKILLS AND ABILITIES**

**Technical skills***
- Extensive experience with Maya and/or Houdini
- Ability to train and coach artists in preferred software
- Experience with Linux based OS
- Deep understanding of the Maya and/or Houdini dynamics tool sets and ability to quickly pick up proprietary tools and pipeline
- Working knowledge of at least one scripting language (python preferred)
- Excellent eye for detail for quality control
- Rigging knowledge is a plus

**Core skills**
- Ability to assist with bids
- Ability to troubleshoot and deal with competing priorities
- Capable of managing a team of artists; setting expectations, and managing their time
- The ability to work alongside, communicate with, and understand the requirements of Animators, CG and VFX Supervisors, Assets Department, FX, Lighting, Comp, R&D and Pipeline developers
- Strong leadership skills
- Excellent problem solver who can focus on detail, while maintaining the whole picture
- Excellent time management and communication skills