June 28, 2010
About Pixar Canada
Pixar Canada is looking for a Layout Artist for its new studio in Vancouver. Pixar Canada is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pixar Animation Studios, the world leader in animated films. The Vancouver studio will produce short-form animation focusing on legacy Pixar characters from films such as Toy Story and Cars. As a key early hire, this position is critical to the long-term success of the studio. This is an opportunity to help build a world-class organization from the ground-up and to be part of a diverse and talented team.
Layout Artist
Summary of Position
Working to realize the Director’s cinematic vision, the Layout Artist creates sequences of shots that convey the story through the application of traditional film making principles in a 3D computer graphics environment.
General Duties and Responsibilities
* Establish character blocking, camera positioning and animate camera movement (also referred to as previs).
* Technical set-up of shots for downstream production departments.
* Post-animation camera polish.
* Work closely with local leadership team in Vancouver as well as the Emeryville team via teleconferencing technologies.
Reel Qualifications
* Reel should show examples of work on a CG animated film or television production that exhibits a strong emphasis on visual storytelling through the use of staging, composition, and editing.
* Reel should include entire sequences, not just single clips.
* Short films may be included in their entirety.
* Reel should show sequences in their layout form. Including the storyboard animatic as well as final film clips to show progression is recommended.
* Personal projects may be included, if relevant.
Additional Qualifications
* Experience in 3D computer animation camera required.
* Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Must be open to direction and able to embrace change.
* Experience in other CG fields, such as animation, modeling, and lighting a plus.
* Bachelor’s Degree in Film, Animation or Fine Arts recommended, though not required.
Submission Process
If you are interested in and qualified for this position, please submit a cover letter,
resume, link that points us directly to your demo reel, and reel breakdown/shotlist on our website, www.pixarcanada.com. If you don’t have a website to showcase your work, you may be able to use a free service like Dropbox.
Environment/Sets Modeling Artist
Summary of Position
The Environment/Sets Modeling Artist creates and modifies digital sets and props to suit the needs of a particular animation production project.
General Duties and Responsibilities
Modeling the geometry of sets and props, and assembling these models into fully dressed sets. As well as expertise with 3D modeling software, the ideal set modeler has a knowledge of architectural styles and is skilled in procedural modeling. Set dressing requires strong visual skills to produce a pleasing composition of objects as seen through the camera view. The Environment Modeling Artist is responsible for creation, revision, maintenance and support of the digital assets, responding to guidance and review notes from the director as well as creative and technical supervisors. Digital assets must meet standards and specifications with respect to appearance and aesthetics, user interface, performance, and robustness. Environment Modeling Artists must support users (other Technical Directors and Animators) who make use of the digital assets.
Qualifications
•Must have 5 or more years experience in CG animation production for television, film, visual effects or games.
•Must have experience with a high-end 3D modeling and animation system (such as Maya, Modo, XSI, Houdini or 3D Studio Max). Skill and experience in the use of subdivision surfaces is highly desirable.
•Must have a good understanding of 3D computer graphics theory and practice.
•Must have good understanding of shape, composition and architectural design.
•Must have good written and verbal communication skills.
•Must be able to work alone and collaboratively, often with multiple tasks and under deadline pressure.
•Must be open to direction and able to embrace change.
In addition to these required qualifications, any of the following attributes will be
considered a plus:
•Degree in architecture, art, computer science, or engineering.
•Ability to program in a scripting language such as Mel or Python.
•Skill in drawing, sketching, or sculpting.
Shading TD
Summary of Job
In Pixar’s production process, the term “TD” means “Technical Artist”. The Shading TD works alongside modelers and lighters to create the look of characters, sets and other objects in the film. The shading is created with RenderMan shaders, using a mixture of painted and procedural textures along with sophisticated illumination models.
General Duties and Responsibilities
The Shading TD is responsible for creation, revision, maintenance and support of the shaders and other digital assets, responding to guidance and review notes from the director as well as creative and technical supervisors. Digital assets must meet
standards and specifications with respect to appearance and aesthetics, user interface, performance, and robustness. Shader TDs must provide technical support to other TDs who use the shaders in lighting and rendering.
Qualifications
•Must have 3 or more years experience in CG animation production for film, visual
effects, or television.
•Must have extensive experience in shading using RenderMan shaders, preferably with Slim.
•Must have a good “eye” and a good understanding of light, color, illumination and
shading. Should be interested in studying materials and thoroughly understanding their texture and their response to different lighting conditions.
•Must have an excellent understanding of 3D computer graphics theory and practice.
•Must have good programming and scripting skills in languages such as RenderMan Shading Language, C/C++, Python, or Perl.
•Must have strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail and quality.
•Must have good written and verbal communication skills, and be able to communicate clearly and effectively with both technical and non-technical users of the software.
•Must be able to work alone and collaboratively, often with multiple tasks and under deadline pressure.
•Must be open to direction and able to embrace change.
In addition to these required qualifications, any of the following attributes will be
considered a plus:
•Bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics, physics, or engineering.
•Skill in painting, photography, drawing, and sketching.
Submission Process
If you are interested in and qualified for this position, please submit your cover
letter, resume, link that points us directly to your portfolio or demo reel, along with
an itemized list of the portfolio/reel contents, on our website www.pixarcanada.com.
PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL DEMO REELS. If you don’t have a website to showcase your work, you may be able to use a free service like Dropbox.
Previous Pixar Canada job posts can be seen here.
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