Digital Matte Painter

**POSITION PURPOSE**

Our Matte Painting Environments team is growing Were on the search for a talented Senior Matte Painter that can act as a lead working under the direction of the Digital Environment Supervisor. While working on shots you will be the go to person when the Supervisor isn't available working with the Environment TD's, other members of the team and assisting production with any questions. The ideal person will have a good mix of strong creative and technical thinking with a positive upbeat attitude and great team moral.

The Lead will also contribute to the overall operation and improvement of the Matte Painting team by setting and maintaining department standards. This will include, but will not be limited to engaging in cross-department communication, flagging/providing solutions to critical issues, documentation, taking part in interviews and participating in the buddy system for new employees. In addition, the Lead will develop new processes and stay up to date on innovative technologies to keep the Matte Painting team on the cutting edge.

**DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Receive creative feedback from the Digital Environment Supervisor, and translate those into more specific and technical notes for the Matte Paint team when required
- Create photo-real environments with mínimal supervision and within the studio pipeline
- Help facilitate and determine the broad technical and creative approach, in conjunction with the Environment Supervisor among various approaches from 2D, 2.5D, and 3D to meet the show requirements.
- Communicate successes and challenges faced by the team to Supervisors
- Use time management skills to schedule meetings and tasks effectively
- Overcome technical issues (day to day problem solving), in conjunction with R&D, CG Supervisors, Environment TD's and the Digital Environment Supervisor.
- Work with our production team to most effectively schedule the work, including casting the work to the strengths of the individuals in the Matte Painting Team
- Communicate well with all members of the Matte Painting, Production and Supervision teams
- Promote interdepartmental collaboration
- Assist members of the Matte Painting team to learn and grow their skills to meet their career aspirations
- Work with R&D and the Leads and Supervisors of other shows to guide the overall approach to Matte Paint work at Image Engine
- Attend dailies, reviews, and team meetings as required
- Work with a team of artists in a hands-on capacity to ensure technically and artistically proper implementation seamless photo-real elements
- Ability to balance quick turnaround while achieving a high degree of aesthetic quality

**EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE**
- 5+ years’ of Matte Painting experience with high end feature film
- Experience leading teams
- Demonstrated proficiency in creating photo-realistic environments with a strong sense of composition, photography, design and attention to detail
- Strong knowledge of 3D workflow, including Asset Modeling, Lookdev, Scene Assembly, Shading, Lighting, and Rendering.
- Knowledge of traditional art skills and techniques: composition, color, lighting, depth, drawing, painting, and photography
- Ability to balance quick turnaround while achieving a high degree of aesthetic quality

**SKILLS AND ABILITIES**

**Technical skills**
- Understanding of Lead best practices
- Ability to train and coach artists in Matte Painting and best practice
- Exceptional knowledge in Photoshop, Nuke and Maya with all aspects of 2.5D and 3D projection work.
- Knowledge of the 3D workflow, including Asset Modeling, Lookdev, Scene Assembly, Shading, Lighting, and Rendering
- Mari, Arnold, Houdini, Terragen or Clarisse experience a plus but not accentual
- Ability to come up with creative and efficient rendering solutions
- Excellent attention to detail when finalizing, approving or quality controlling shots

**Core skills**
- Ability to troubleshoot and deal with competing priorities and projects
- Capable of managing a team of artists; setting expectations, and managing their time
- Ability to assess artist’s strengths and weaknesses to assign tasks and manage workflow
- Strong leadership skills
- Excellent time management and communication skills