Lead Lighting Technical Director

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Lead Lighting Technical Directors are responsible for producing high-quality lighting and rendering for complex shots for high-end photo-realistic visual effects films, needing only initial direction and guidance from their Supervisors. Their primary task is to support the team and the show production to achieve the highest quality work.

We are looking for a creative who reflects the innovative spirit, creative talent, production excellence, team-oriented mindset and passion for great filmmaking that define ILM.

On any given day you may partner with the Lighting Team, Lighting Supervisor, CG Supervisor, Key Creatives, Production to:

• Scrutinise the colours and directions of all light sources in the real-world scene and replicate them in CG

• Design and create the lighting and the look of computer generated objects and scenes

• Responsible for the final CG scene assembly, lighting and rendering of very complex shots

• Works closely with Lighting Supervisors and CG Supervisors to determine the best approach to solving CG challenges and developing the final look

• Creates lighting set ups and/or works within current set ups

• Creates efficient rendering set-ups in order to optimise render farm usage

• Stays on schedule and meets set deadlines while maintaining the highest level of work quality

• Ensures there is ongoing communication with Production and Lighting team regarding schedules and deadlines

• Helps mentor Artists within the Lighting/Look Development team

Here are the skills and experience you need to be successful in this role:

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics or equivalent or previous professional experience in a related field 

• Experience of real-world lighting and photography

• Demonstrable advanced Lighting and Rendering experience within a VFX environment

• Previous experience performing Look Development tasks 

Required Skills / Competencies:

• Must have prior leadership experience

• Exhibits excellent listening and communication skills, able to receive direction and criticism

• Demonstrates an excellent aesthetic eye, anticipates potential problems and uses knowledge of how to use the tools to achieve the desired look

• Demonstrates the ability to help and teach more junior-level artists 

• Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manages time very well, provides everyone with accurate time estimates on shot task completion

• Demonstrates excellent presentation/communication skills in dailies/shot review by clearly and briefly outlining what has been accomplished and what should be addressed next in a shot

• Demonstrates the ability to work within a team environment with minimal supervision to complete a shot

• Can write plug-ins, set-up sequences, debug simulations and write set up and Renderman surface shaders with proficiency

• Solid compositing ability, can wrangle blue-screen extractions, working knowledge of Nuke

• Demonstrates the ability to work with minimal supervision to complete a shot

• A thorough understanding of the VFX pipeline from modelling through animation, texturing, rendering and compositing

• Ability to pick-up new techniques and the ability to learn new software quickly and easily

Technical Skills:

• Excellent knowledge of Renderman and/or other unbiased rendering systems is essential

• Knowledge of Katana is an advantage, Maya and/or Zeno beneficial.

• A strong knowledge of lighting techniques and a good understanding of colour-space

• Basic knowledge of physically plausible shading techniques, experience building shading network is an advantage

• Good knowledge of other disciplines within VFX including simulation, modelling and UV mapping, texturing and camera tracking

• Understanding of python and/or MEL scripting is important, knowledge of LUA is an advantage.

• A good understanding of nuke or similar compositing package, including how to use layers and passes to tweak a shot after it has been rendered

• A strong understanding of Linux based operating systems

JoinILM

This position is with Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC, which is part of a business segment we call Industrial Light & Magic. Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

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