Groom Artists

Wētā FX is seeking experienced Fur and Hair Groomers to join their Models team. The role involves creating and maintaining hair and fur grooms for characters and creatures using Weta's proprietary software. Candidates should have experience with other fur systems, strong knowledge of lighting, rendering, and scripting. The position requires a keen eye for detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work effectively within VFX production pipelines.

Must Have

• Assist with the creation and maintenance of hair & fur grooms for characters and creatures
• Use Weta's proprietary software for grooming
• Experience with other fur systems (commercial or proprietary)
• Strong working knowledge of lighting
• Strong working knowledge of rendering
• Scripting experience
• Extensive knowledge of Maya
• Understand Linux desktop and system commands to perform daily tasks
• Understanding of VFX production pipelines
• Ability to work with an intuitive rather than procedural grooming system

Good to Have

• Knowledge of procedural hair grooming systems
• Experience grooming feathers for CG characters
• Good knowledge of UV workflows for hero characters
• Ability to script in MEL and/or Python
• Modelling skills in other areas (Characters, Hard Surface, etc.)

Wētā FX is currently taking applications from experienced Fur and Hair Groomers to join our Models team based in any of our Hubs in Melbourne, Australia, Vancouver, Canada or Wellington, New Zealand.

The Models department here at Wētā FX is responsible for the creation of the digital assets across all shows. These tasks include character, digital double, organic models, hard surface models, environments, hi-res models for displacement map extraction, low resolution models for previs or crowd simulation, shot sculpting, fur, hair and costume creation using Marvelous Designer.

As a fur groomer you will be assisting with the creation and maintenance of hair & fur grooms for characters and creatures using Weta's proprietary software. You’ll have experience with other fur systems (either commercial or proprietary), a strong working knowledge of lighting, rendering and/or scripting experience.

Our Successful Groom Artists will also have:

• An extensive knowledge of Maya
• A good eye for detail and an impressive reel showing the ability to match photographic reference and artwork
• Have strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Understand Linux desktop and system commands to perform daily tasks comfortably
• Have excellent organizational skills with the ability to meet deadlines Be comfortable taking direction and working independently while being an effective team playerA balance of technical and artistic skills to handle heavy and complex scenes
• A strong work ethic and willingness to learn
• An understanding of VFX production pipelines
• The ability to work with an intuitive rather than procedural grooming system.
• Experience that would also be beneficial:
• Knowledge of procedural hair grooming systems
• Experience grooming feathers for CG characters
• Good knowledge of UV workflows for hero characters
• An ability to script in MEL and/or Python
• Modelling skills in other areas (Characters, Hard Surface, etc.)

At Wētā FX we celebrate our diversity and believe in creating an environment where all our crew feel welcomed, respected, supported and appreciated. We define ourselves by the quality of our work, and we’re striving to build a workplace experience that’s second to none. Here at Wētā FX we value open minds and encourage our crew to be themselves.

We aim to provide a discrimination-free experience, beginning from the moment you apply for a role with us. If there is anything we can do to make the recruitment process easier, please let us know at recruitment@wetafx.co.nz.