Groom Artist (All Levels) - Expression of Interest

This posting is an opportunity to submit your resume for future consideration; this is not a role that is open at this time. We anticipate this role may be open in the future, but we are not actively hiring for the position. If you would like to be considered for this potential role, please submit your resume. If the role becomes available, you may receive an email or call from a recruiter.

Position Summary

ILM San Francisco is growing, and we are looking for an outstanding artist to join our Groom team! ILM’s Groom team works alongside our Digital Model Shop (DMS) and Creature teams to create hair, fur and feather grooms for characters, creatures, costume and props as part of the Creature / Character pipeline for high-end VFX projects.

At ILM, we believe a good idea is a good idea, regardless of where it comes from! Do you thrive in a creative environment? Do you enjoy sharing knowledge and learning from others? If you love art, technology, and movies, then this might be the role you’re looking for!

ILM strives to be an inclusive environment, and the Groom team embraces promising individuals with a variety backgrounds and experiences.

What You’ll Do

• Build assets either fully or partially covered in hair, fur or feathers using Houdini

• Collaborate with the Groom leadership, Modeling, Texture, Look Development and VFX Supervisor to identify and build the “look” for an asset

• Work with production and show leadership to deliver high quality assets on time that meet all departments needs

• Present you work in dailies and discuss all aspects of your asset as needed

• Use your groom abilities for other non-character assets such as props or costumes

What We’re Looking For

• Portfolio demonstrating great groom skills, displaying a strong understanding of hair, fur and feather types and character design

• Proven experience crafting digital creatures and characters in a VFX studio environment. Additional animation experience is a plus

• Phenomenal creative and interpersonal skills to work with team members from other departments, assist asset development, and displaying the ability to interpret others vision while also showcase their own ideas

• Excellent time management skills with the capability of sharing your time between multiple shows when needed

• Strong ability to self assess if you are taking the right approach, while also understanding when you should be contacting supervision or other departments for help or to discuss approach

• A deep knowledge of film and video post production techniques and a good understanding of the full VFX pipeline

• Strong knowledge of Houdini, ability to trouble shoot complex issues and help drive development. Vex knowledge a plus

• Knowledge of LINUX is a necessity to navigate through ILM’s production pipeline

The hiring range for this position in San Francisco, CA is $64,300 to $148,870 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.