Asset Technical Assistant (PH)

Job Summary:

The Asset Technical Assistant assists in the planning, creation and review of high-quality assets for use within the company shows and projects. This position will work closely with the LAL Story team to produce assets with the requisite aesthetic and performance requirements for use within the LAL previsualization environment. In addition, this role will also work with the project leads and Production to help maintain and review all assets used by LAL shows and projects. The ideal candidate thrives in a highly collaborative environment, is open to constructive direction, but can also work independently and under tight deadlines.

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work onsite in our San Francisco office and occasionally from home.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Story Asset Support

• Use internal Block Party rigging toolset to build high quality and performant character and non-character assets for use in our proprietary pre-viz software.
• Manage the workflow for baking multiple UDIM texture maps sourced from shot production assets to pre-viz story assets.
• Work closely with the Story team to manage updates and troubleshoot issues with the pre-viz assets.
• Create appropriate documentation as needed regarding story asset related issues that is pertinent to other departments and Production.
• Work with Production, Assets, and Story to maintain parity between story and shot production assets.

General Asset Support

• Assist in reviewing and QCing production assets to confirm they meet show specifications and aesthetic standards as requested by Production or the Asset Director.
• Produce documentation, imagery and supporting text to communicate asset quality issues that require remediation during the asset build process.
• Proactively identify and solve technical art issues and challenges.
• Model and surface basic 3D assets.

Additional Duties

• Be proactive in providing peer level support and troubleshooting to other artists in and outside the department.
• Create and maintain clear and comprehensive documentation of processes, tools and workflows as they relate to the asset department.
• Actively assist with asset performance and efficiency efforts.
• Contribute to the development of novel asset construction techniques and workflows.
• Learn LAL asset specifications, best practices, and SOP guidelines to understand asset build methodology.
• Prepare supporting imagery and documents for story launch or other meetings as needed.
• Review, familiarize, and discuss asset performance abilities with the Story team prior to story launch meetings.
• Other duties as assigned by the Asset Director or Production.

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in related Art and Design field including Architecture, Industrial Design, Digital Media or equivalent.
• 1-2 years in animation, visual effects or video game production with emphasis on creation of 3D models for CG animation.

Required Skills / Competencies:

• Demonstrated proficiency in Maya and strong understanding of standard CG asset building methodologies.
• Solid modeling, texturing and rigging experience.
• Experience with industry standard 3D and animation software/tools.
• Strong sense of asset development, aesthetics and functionality.
• Proven experience working in an established production pipeline.
• Able to create detailed documentation explaining issues related to asset quality.

Preferred Skills / Competencies:

• Good communication skills, able to communicate in a professional and friendly manner with co-workers.
• Self-starter, energetic, and able to prioritize workload.
• Detail oriented, highly organized and able to handle a variety of tasks in an efficient manner.