Look Development Technical Director

This Hybrid role involves producing high-quality look development and shading for CG assets with initial guidance from supervisors. Responsibilities include scrutinizing and replicating real-world light sources in CG, designing lighting, and creating the look of computer-generated objects and scenes. The role requires final CG scene assembly, lighting, and rendering of complex shots, working closely with supervisors to solve challenges and develop the final look. It also involves creating efficient rendering setups, maintaining schedules, and mentoring junior artists.

Must Have

• Produce high-quality look dev and shading for CG Assets.
• Scrutinize and replicate real-world light sources in CG.
• Design and create lighting and the look of computer-generated objects and scenes.
• Responsible for final CG scene assembly, lighting, and rendering of complex shots.
• Work closely with Lighting and CG Supervisors.
• Create lighting setups and efficient rendering setups.
• Stay on schedule and meet deadlines.
• Ensure ongoing communication with Production and Leads.
• Create and maintain simple and custom hero materials and shading networks.
• Deep understanding of real-world materials, energy conservation, and Physically Based Rendering (PBR) shader models.
• Ability to work and communicate with texture and groom artists.
• Ability to build and maintain complex shading networks.
• Experience with real-world lighting and photography.
• Advanced Lighting and Rendering experience within a VFX environment.
• Previous experience performing shot Look Dev tasks.
• Broad understanding of modern shading models.
• In-depth understanding of PBR.
• Ability to help and teach more junior-level artists.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time, and provide accurate time estimates.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
• Proficiency in writing plug-ins, setting up sequences, debugging simulations, and writing Renderman surface shaders.
• Thorough understanding of the VFX pipeline (modeling, animation, texturing, rendering, compositing).
• Ability to pick up new techniques and learn new software quickly.
• Knowledge of Katana is essential.
• Knowledge of Python and/or MEL scripting is essential.
• At ease with Linux based operating systems.
• Good understanding of physically plausible shading techniques.
• In-depth knowledge in building shading networks in Katana using Renderman.
• Excellent knowledge of Renderman and other unbiased rendering systems.
• Good knowledge of other disciplines within VFX (modeling, textures, grooming, layout, compositing).

Good to Have

• Flexibility to move into lighting shot production.
• Maya and Zeno beneficial.
• Strong interest in shading technologies.
• Scripting ability beneficial.

Position Summary

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.

Look Dev Technical Directors are responsible for producing high-quality look dev and shading for our CG Assets, needing only initial direction and guidance from their Supervisors. Have the flexibility of moving into lighting shot production, producing high end lighting during show production.

What You'll Do

• Scrutinize the colours and directions of all light sources in the real-world scene and replicates 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 setups 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 Leads regarding schedules and deadlines
• Helps mentor Junior Artists within the Lighting/Look Dev team
• Create & maintain simple materials using the provided shading templates
• Create & maintain custom hero materials and shading networks when necessary
• Deep understanding of real world materials
• Understanding of energy conservation principles
• Deep understanding of Physically based rendering and shader models
• Ability to work and communicate with texture and groom artists to get the best possible results
• Ability to build and maintain complex shading networks with artist usability and user-interface support in mind

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics or equivalent or previous professional experience in a related field
• Experience with real-world lighting and photography
• Demonstrable advanced Lighting and Rendering experience within a VFX environment
• Previous experience performing shot Look Dev tasks
• Exhibits excellent listening and communication skills, able to receive direction and criticism
• Has a broad understanding of modern shading models
• Has an in-depth understanding of PBR (physically based rendering)
• 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 collaboratively within a team environment
• Can write plug-ins, set-up sequences, debug simulations and write set up and Renderman surface shaders with proficiency
• 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
• Knowledge of Katana is essential, Maya and Zeno beneficial
• A good understanding of texturing and lighting
• Knowledge of python and/or MEL scripting is essential
• Strong interest in shading technologies
• At ease with Linux based operating systems
• Good understanding of physically plausible shading techniques
• In depth knowledge in building shading networks in katana using Renderman
• Scripting ability beneficial
• Excellent knowledge of Renderman and other unbiased rendering systems
• Good knowledge of other disciplines within VFX including modelling, textures, grooming, layout & compositing

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$85,900.00 to C$109,900.00 per year based on a 40-hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits, may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.