Character Finalling Lead

Job Description

Are you a Character Finalling Lead with proven leadership experience and a strong eye for detail? The Character Finalling Lead will motivate and lead a team of Character Finalling Artists, working closely with a variety of departments including; R&D, Modelling, Rigging, Animation, and Character FX to develop, implement character shot based clean-up and deformation effect post Animation.

What you'll get to do:
• Understand the overall brief and goals of a project and communicates this clearly to each member of the team
• Lead a team under the creative direction from the Animation Supervisor and production team; mentor less experienced digital artists
• Prioritize and break down a project into organized parts; delegate work responsibly to ensure successful completion of shots across team members of all skill levels
• Manage shot based deformation enhancements post Animation. This includes:
• Deformation clean-up due to rigs pushed beyond capability
• Adding deformation effects simulating interaction
• Working with Animators and Riggers on how to best handle key deformation requirements
• Drive team reviews and offer creative/technical feedback on reviewed shots
• Support open communication between departments
• Ensure conflict is identified early and work with Artist Management to put constructive solutions in place to resolve/diffuse
• Communicate production information to both the artists group and Production Management
• Document new techniques and distribute updates
• Participate in brainstorming and problem solving to create and maintain production pipeline(s) and support AL's overall technical goals as required
• Work with the Animation Supervisor, Leads, and the production team to prepare bids and pitches as required
• Participate in the recruiting and interview process for new employees as required
• Assist Production Management in preparation of final show reports as required

What you bring:
• 7+ years' experience in feature animation, VFX, and/or animated television with a focus in Character Finalling
• Proven leadership experience within feature animation or VFX, extensive Senior Artist experience may be considered
• Proficiency demonstrated through past project work and/or reel/portfolio
• Strong and production proven knowledge of Character Finalling in either Maya, XSI, Houdini, or other relevant software
• Expert knowledge of human/animal anatomy and form
• Solid knowledge in pipeline, process, tools and techniques with a high level understanding of industry standards, conventions, formats and common practice
• Proven ability to create and deliver high-level shot based deformation correction in a timely manner
• Proven solid technical and visual skills, excellent attention to detail
• Strong communication skills and the ability to efficiently organise and prioritise work across multiple areas
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment and to pass knowledge to other staff members
• Excellence in problem solving and balancing quick turnaround with long term quality
• Ability to effectively work and communicate with all personality types
• Ability to take direction and feedback and apply this to assets or shots
• Ability to inspire, mentor, and motivate the team
• Ability to coach and guide your team, working together to pass on knowledge and disseminate information

The following would be considered a bonus:
• Experience with sculpting package (i.e. Z-brush) helpful but not mandatory
• Knowledge of both mechanical and organic type rigs in a production environment is a bonus
• Software development experience using Python, and relevant application API is a plus

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r02owe-3-129-67-26-42 in your application.