Arc Productions, a Canadian based CG animation and visual effects facility located in downtown Toronto is looking for a Lead Surfacer to join our team. With over 250 artists and technical directors and the most up to date resources available, we bring the vision to both major Hollywood studios and independent producers to life in a wide array of formats: theatrical features, television, DVDs, shorts and game cinematics.
JOB TITLE: Lead Surfacer
DEPARTMENT: Assets
REPORTS TO: Head of Assets
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Lead Surfacer develops/establishes the look, UV’s, textures and shaders for an assigned show. This role leads an assigned team in ensuring that all surface deliverables are completed in line with the production schedule and anticipates, communicates and troubleshoots any surfacing performance issues. This position must maintain an awareness of all technical, artistic and pipeline issues with the project and participate in the development of a toolset that will aid in the surfacing process. The Lead Surfacer is also required to liaise directly with the client to ensure that all surfacing deliverables match client specifications, work with the Surfacing APM to create work schedules, ensure overall adherence to all Arc Productions production pipeline protocols and keep up to speed with current industry trends and utilize new ideas to benefit production.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Work to establish the look and qualities of assigned assets with direction from the VFX Supervisor and Art Director while ensuring that Surfacing files are complete and ready for lighting
• Create the following for models supplied by the Modeling Department:
– UV’s
– Textures
– Shaders
• Maintain a convention of file naming structures for all shots that is compatible with Arc Productions pipeline
• Maintain tidiness and organization of working files (directories, files, textures, Photoshop PSDs)
• Lead assigned team in ensuring that all surfacing deliverables are completed fully and in line with the production schedule
• Assist in assigning work to team members based on individual specialties and oversee individual progress and performance
• Provide support to team members by providing artistic direction and assisting with technical difficulties
• Assist Department Head by providing feedback for the annual performance reviews
• Review and approve all surfacing assets prior to vaulting
• Aid APM in creating work schedules and ensuring that all quotas and deadlines are met
• Anticipate, communicate and troubleshoot any surfacing performance issues with assistance from key stakeholders and provide creative ideas and solutions for any issues that arise throughout the project as a whole
• Maintain awareness of technical, artistic and pipeline issues with the project
• Participate in the development of a toolset that will aid in the surfacing process
• Liaise directly with the client to ensure that all surfacing deliverables match client specifications
• Ensure overall adherence to all Arc Productions pipeline protocols
• Keep up to speed with current industry trends and utilize new ideas to benefit production
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
• 5+ years of CG surfacing experience in a Maya production environment with proven surfacing abilities (prior Lead experience an asset)
• Completed post-secondary education in 3D animation, art fundamentals, or other relevant area of study
• Advanced working knowledge of Maya and Photoshop
• Shader Development experience (MentalRay, Renderman or Arnold a plus)
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to recognize strengths and weaknesses of artists assigned work
• Clear vision of the creative requirements and assets of the Surfacing team and an ability to create appropriate prototypes/examples and disseminate workflows accordingly
• Strong background in traditional art
• General understanding of animation styles and techniques as well as an excellent comprehension of animation production for film and/or television
• Great understanding of the animation production pipeline as a whole with an understanding of adjacent department workflows as well as how the Surfacing Department interacts with the overall production process
• Superior creative and technical problem solving skills with the ability to check own work
• Ability to learn quickly and comprehend custom in-house production tools
• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with key stakeholders (i.e. other departments, production, clients, etc…)
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and willingness to take initiative in a team environment
• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet tight deadlines, and perform to standard in a fast-paced environment
• High level of independence and strong sense of reliability
• Strong Surfacing skills
• Working knowledge of the following:
– Autodesk Maya
– Polygonal texturing image maps
– Construction of shaders and utilities
– Photoshop
– MARI
– Mudbrush and/or ZBrush
Please apply to:
Linda Broderick
Arc Productions Recruiting
lindabr2@yahoo.ca
Please include a link to your demo reel and resume as well as your current work status and availability.
Thank you to all applicants but only those being considered will be contacted.
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