Creature Supervisor - Expression of Interest (Feature Animation & VFX)

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.

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

We are looking for an outstanding teammate to join our Creature team. As a Creature Supervisor, you will be responsible for supporting a team of Creature Technical Directors (TDs) on a show-to-show basis.

A Supervisor's duties include set-up of the creature pipeline per show, including writing tools, rigging, and simulation set-up when applicable. Additionally, our Creature Supervisors support their teams in the running of simulation shots (flesh, hair, muscle, cloth, and rigid body) as well as rigging and scripting tasks. They are also responsible for triage and troubleshooting related to assets across disciplines. They delegate assignments and act as the creative, technical, and morale lead for the Creature team. Creature Supervisors also provide constructive feedback on crew performance, make recommendations, and resolve issues.

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 Creature team embraces promising individuals with a variety backgrounds and experiences.

What You’ll Do

• Develop the aesthetic look and provide technical continuity across show(s)
• Review Creature TD shotwork and provide feedback
• Advanced creature or hard surface rigging and enveloping, set up and run cloth, hair, muscle, rigid body simulations
• Collaborate with the Computer Graphics (CG) Supervisor and Production Manager to bid, schedule, and cast shotwork
• Work with global and local heads of departments (HODs) to establish workflows and standard methodologies for CFX and rigging work
• Troubleshoot creature rigging issues for artists in other departments
• Mentor junior artists, as well as newly hired Creature TDs
• Script utilities/tools/plug-ins in Maya and other DCCs
• Make aesthetic choices on shotwork
• Make bid estimates, which in turn influence hiring decisions
• Participate in the recruitment process for the Creature team
• Special projects as needed

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years relevant professional experience with proven leadership experience, and a BA in computer graphics, fine arts, design, or photography, or related field; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience
• High proficiency in body/facial rigging. Working experience with proprietary modular rigging systems as well as off the shelf Maya rigging tools
• Deep understanding in anatomy and muscle dynamics. Good eye for aesthetics of body/face deformations
• High proficiency in cloth/hair/flesh/rigid body simulations, Setting up, running, and troubleshooting cloth, hair, flesh surfaces, and fur/feather simulations
• Troubleshoot creature rigging and pipeline issues for artists in other disciplines
• Experience with look of simulated motions
• Experience in both proprietary simulation engines as well as off the shelf software packages (Maya/Houdini) a bonus
• Proficiency with Linux, Python, Maya
• Positive demeanour and a phenomenal teammate, with good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to learn quickly and assimilate new information
• Basic proficiency in another area such as Modeling, Texture, TD, or Animation is a bonus

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$156,700 to C$200,500 per year based on a 40-hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. 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 full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits, may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.