CFX TD - Lead

The Lead Creature FX TD at Image Engine, a world-class VFX studio in Vancouver, BC, is a pivotal role responsible for leading a small team in designing and creating realistic creature simulations, including clothing, hair, fur, skin, and muscles. This position involves ensuring quality control, effectively communicating client and VFX Supervisor notes to artists, and actively contributing to the improvement of Image Engine's Creature Effects workflow and tools. The studio is renowned for its award-winning portfolio and fosters a supportive, respectful, and empowering workplace culture.

Must Have

• Deliver Simulation (Cloth, Muscle and Skin, Hair and Fur) and Technical Animation work.
• Work with Producers and Supervisors to assess, assign, and lead Creature Effects implementation.
• Build and maintain Dynamic rigs of varying complexity.
• Create and maintain digital assets in Houdini.
• Address supervisor and client comments.
• Attend/lead dailies, reviews, and team meetings.
• Work with rigging, assets, animation, and other departments.
• Write utility scripts and provide input for creature FX pipeline.
• Achieve high quality work within time constraints.
• Clearly communicate Creature FX goals and processes.
• Provide guidance on achieving effects within the available show pipeline.
• Estimate task times and provide accurate progress reports.
• Train and mentor junior artists.
• 5+ years of feature film/TV production experience.
• 5+ years of progressive experience leading small to medium size teams (3+ people) on large projects (300+ shots).
• Strong understanding of real-world physics and anatomy.
• Proficient in Houdini.
• Strong communication skills.
• Extensive experience with Houdini and Maya.
• Experience with Linux based OS.
• Deep understanding of Houdini dynamics tool sets.
• Working knowledge of at least one scripting language (Python preferred).
• Capable of managing a team of artists.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Excellent problem solver.
• Excellent time management.

Good to Have

• Rigging knowledge is a plus.

Perks & Benefits

• Extended healthcare from day 1, premiums 100% covered by Image Engine.
• Up to 8 paid Health and Wellness days per year.

Position Purpose

The Lead Creature FX TD plays a very important role in the quality control and leadership of the CFX team. They will be responsible for leading a small team in designing and creating simulations related to the realistic movement of a creature, including clothing, hair, fur, skin and muscles. The Lead is also responsible for communicating notes from the client or VFX Supervisor to artists in a constructive manner. This person will also take charge of improving Image Engine's Creature Effects workflow and tools.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for delivering the Simulation (Cloth, Muscle and Skin, Hair and Fur) and Technical Animation work (pre and post) for the show/department
• Responsible for working with the relevant Producers and Supervisors to assess, assign and lead the implementation of Creature Effects needs
• Build and maintain Dynamic rigs of varying complexity (hero and background assets, digital doubles etc), to meet the requirements of the show
• Create and maintain digital assets in Houdini for better workflow and shot delivery efficiency
• Address supervisor and client comments by integrating solutions into assets or providing one-off shot fixes as appropriate to deliver required results with maximum efficiency
• Attend/lead dailies, reviews, and team meetings as required
• Work with the rigging, assets, animation and other departments, as required, to maintain continuity between projects and ensure information is communicated up and down the pipeline
• Write utility scripts and provide input regarding existing tools and interfaces for creature FX pipeline and workflow
• Responsible for achieving high quality work within the time constraints given
• Responsible for the clear communication of Creature FX goals and working processes between all departments
• Provide guidance on how to best achieve a certain effect within the available show pipeline
• Estimate the time required for tasks and provide accurate progress reports
• Ability to train and mentor junior artists. Assisting members of the team to learn and grow their skills to meet their career aspirations by providing feedback, tips and tricks, and encouragement

Education and Experience

• 5 years+ of feature film/TV production experience
• The CFX Lead should have 5+ years of progressive experience leading small to medium size teams (i.e. 3+ people) on large projects (300+ shots).
• Strong understanding of real-world physics and anatomy and a desire to learn more depending on the requirements of the project
• Proficient in Houdini
• Strong communication skills and a clear understanding of animation requirements. The applicant must be able to work alongside other creative and technical artists.

Skills and Abilities

Technical skills

• Extensive experience with Houdini and Maya
• Ability to train and coach artists in preferred software
• Experience with Linux based OS
• Deep understanding of the Houdini dynamics tool sets and ability to quickly pick up proprietary tools and pipeline
• Strong technical skills in Houdini
• Working knowledge of at least one scripting language (python preferred)
• Excellent eye for detail for quality control
• Rigging knowledge is a plus

Core skills

• Ability to assist with bids, determining the timeframe and scope required for each project
• Ability to troubleshoot and deal with competing priorities
• Capable of managing a team of artists, setting expectations, and managing their time
• The ability to work alongside, communicate with, and understand the requirements of Animators, CG and VFX Supervisors, Assets Department, FX, Lighting, Comp, R&D and Pipeline developers
• Ability to assess artist’s strengths and weaknesses to assign tasks and manage workflow
• Strong leadership skills
• Excellent problem solver who can focus on detail while maintaining the whole picture
• Excellent time management and communication skills