BC - VFX Rigger - Stop Motion VFX Project

Zoic Studios; Canada; Remote; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented VFX Rigger to join their dynamic team. This role offers the opportunity to work on exciting projects, including a stop-motion animated feature, while collaborating closely with artists to create and maintain high-level rigs. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in CG rigging, Python scripting, and Maya, and will thrive in a creative environment that values innovation and work-life balance. If you're ready to take on your next challenge and showcase your skills, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Work from home option

Artist-owned studio

Respect for work/life balance

Creative and collaborative environment

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in feature film CG rigging required.
• Proficiency in Python and Maya is essential for this role.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain rigs, scripts, and tools for animation.
• Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot creative and technical issues.

Skills

CG Rigging

Python

Maya

3D Math

Modeling Skills

Animation Techniques

Linux Environment

Motion Capture Integration

Education

3-5 years of CG Rigging Experience

Background in Visual Arts/Design

Tools

Maya Node Networks

C++

MEL

PyQt

Bash

Job description

VFX Rigger

All applicants must be residents of British Columbia, Canada.
Must be legally entitled to work in Canada ie. Citizen, PR, Open Work Permit.

At this time, we’re pleased to offer this role as an option to work from home OR work from our Vancouver studio in the beautiful Gastown area, close to the Waterfront Station in Downtown. (Remote is not available outside of BC; there is no hybrid)

About Zoic
Zoic Studios is a Visual Effects company that specializes in high-end visual effects for television, film, and advertising. Our mantra is VisualEvolution - we focus on every part of the process, from the final picture to the pipeline used to create them.

Are you looking for your next creative and technical challenge? Come join our team!

Why Join Zoic?

• We are an Artist-owned and operated VFX studio.
• We love what we do and always stay curious about new technology and techniques.
• We respect work/life balance in a hectic industry.
• We work with a team from all walks of life and backgrounds.

We are excited to share an incredible stop-motion animated feature project that promises creativity, collaboration, and a fantastic chance to showcase your skills! Contract is starting immediately.

General Summary
The VFX Rigger is responsible for the creation, delivery, and maintenance of high-level rigs. This position works closely with other artists to determine topology requirements and provides technical assistance and expertise to facilitate animation workflow.

Job Functions

• Create, maintain, improve and support rigs through production, including any necessary scripts and tools to facilitate any animation requests, and maintain technical documentation.
• Ability to create and maintain the existing Python code base used in rig creation.
• Develop flexible and rebuildable rig modules that integrate with the existing Python code base.
• Work across multiple departments such as modeling, animation, and character effects in order to troubleshoot creative and technical issues.
• Perform modeling and animation tasks for rig development, as needed.
• Work with the crowd team to support rigging needs for large crowds, and work with the motion capture expectations to support rigging needs for shoots.
• Communicate effectively with production and technical directors regarding asset performance expectations, pipeline compatibility, and deadlines.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of feature film CG rigging experience.
• Knowledge of rigging in Maya, Python, Maya node networks, how they relate to rigging, and how to effectively debug at a node/connection level.
• Proven ability developing Python scripts, tools and/or C++ plugins within a CG animation pipeline. MEL, PyQt, bash, a plus.
• Understanding of Motion Capture integration for rigs and related workflows.
• Understanding of scripted rig build systems, animation/rigging pipelines, and manual rigging techniques.
• Experience building a wide variety of rigs (organic/mechanical/prop/body/face/costume, etc.).
• 3D math knowledge and strong understanding of geometry, kinematics, and deformation.
• Background in visual arts/design with a strong understanding of form and movement, preferred.
• Modeling skills and ability to understand and troubleshoot polygonal mesh flow for deformation.
• Proficiency working in a Linux environment.
• Expertise running cloth, nCloth, and hair simulation, a plus.

Additional Information

• British Columbia Employees Pay Range: $40 - $55 (The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position)
• Zoic does not cover relocation costs.
• Any and all WFH positions require the candidate to have a reliable internet connection via ethernet and work on Pacific Standard Time.
• This job description contains the basic requirements for the position and is NOT intended to be a complete list of responsibilities; other duties may be assigned.
• Due to the volume of applications we receive, we regret that only those selected to interview will be contacted.