Crowds Supervisor - Netflix Animation Stuidos

Netflix Animation Studios; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Netflix Animation Studios is seeking a Crowds Supervisor in Sydney to lead the crowds team on our upcoming feature film. You will oversee character crowds simulations, background performances, and large-scale crowds moments to support story scale, tone, and visual style.

You will mentor a team of crowds artists and TDs, collaborating with VFX and production leaders to ensure technical robustness and cinematic readability across shots and sequences.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in crowds or character effects in feature animation or VFX, with time in a lead or supervisory role.
• Strong reel showing high-quality crowds systems and integration into complex sequences.
• Proficiency with crowds and simulation tools (Houdini and/or proprietary systems); familiarity with other DCCs such as Maya, Golaem or Massive is a plus.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills; ability to give clear feedback and collaborate across departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of crowds artists and TDs, assigning work and providing feedback in reviews.
• Collaborate with VFX and show leadership to define visual and technical standards for crowds.
• Supervise crowds work on shots to ensure proper scale, performance, and storytelling impact for cinematic clarity.
• Create or refine crowds setups, cycles, or shots, especially complex or reference work, to set quality and technique.
• Collaborate with Animation Supervisor to determine cycle needs and maintain standards.
• Coordinate with Assets, Layout, Environments, FX, CFX, Lighting, and Compositing to integrate crowds into shots smoothly.
• Help define crowd tools, workflows, and libraries with Technical Supervisors and pipeline teams.
• Provide input to Production Management on complexity and progress for realistic planning.
• Troubleshoot technical and artistic challenges to maintain quality within schedule.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative team culture where artists can perform at their best.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team mentoring

Problem-solving

Tools

Houdini

Maya

Golaem

Massive

Job description

Netflix Animation Studios is on a mission to entertain the world with bold, immersive animated films that are timeless and impactful. We are paving the way for the future of animation by building a community of amazing artists and talent across three vibrant locations globally. Come join us!

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Crowds Supervisor to support our upcoming feature film. The Crowds Supervisor works inside of NAS to lead the crowds team on a specific film, overseeing character crowds simulations, background performances, and large-scale crowds moments. This role ensures that crowds support the story's scale, tone, and visual style and are technically robust for downstream departments.

What You'll Do:

• Depending on the project scope, lead and mentor a team of crowds artists and TDs, which may include assigning work appropriately and providing clear, constructive feedback in dailies and reviews.
• Collaborate with the VFX Supervisor, Head of Character Effects, Head of Effects, Head of Character Animation, and other show leadership to interpret crowds briefs and define the visual and technical standards for crowds across the show.
• Supervise crowds work on shots and sequences, ensuring that crowds behaviour, scale, and staging support story clarity, performance, and cinematic composition.
• Create or refine selected crowds setups, cycles, and/or shots as needed - particularly complex, hero, or reference-setting work - to help establish the quality bar, style, and technical approach for the team.
• Collaborate directly with the Animation Supervisor to determine crowds cycle needs, helping to inform requirements and working to maintain cycle standards.
• Work closely with Assets, Layout, Environments, Effects, CFX, Lighting, and Compositing to ensure crowds integrate seamlessly into shots and support hero action and readability.
• Help define and refine crowd tools, workflows, and libraries in partnership with Technical Supervisors, crowds TDs, and pipeline teams.
• Provide input to Production Management and department leadership on crowds complexity and progress to support realistic planning and prioritization.
• Troubleshoot technical and artistic challenges in crowds work, collaborating on solutions that maintain quality while meeting schedule needs.
• Help foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative team culture where artists and TDs can do their best work.

What You'll Need:

• Significant experience in crowds or character effects work for feature animation, VFX, or high-end series, including time in a Lead or Supervisory role.
• A strong reel demonstrating high-quality crowds systems and simulations, and their integration into complex sequences.
• Proficiency with crowds and simulation tools such as Houdini (and/or proprietary crowds systems), with familiarity in other DCCs, e.g., Maya, Golaem or Massive is a plus.
• Strong understanding of how crowds work interacts with Animation, Layout, Environments, FX, CFX, Lighting, and Compositing within a production pipeline.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to give clear, constructive feedback and collaborate effectively across departments.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

This role is based out of Sydney, Australia. Hybrid Role (Minimum of 3 days a week in the office).

Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.