Creature Technical Director (Rigging) - Expression of Interest - ILM Vancouver

The Walt Disney Company; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company in Vancouver is seeking a Creature TD Rigger to join a hybrid production focusing on hero creature rigging for both realistic and toon-style features. You will rig and envelop creatures and vehicles in Maya, troubleshoot pipelines, and mentor junior artists.

Proficiency in Maya is required; knowledge of Houdini and Python scripting is a plus. Strong communication and team collaboration are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• 3+ years VFX experience and a college diploma in computer graphics, fine arts, design or related field.
• Or 5+ years VFX experience in lieu of education.
• Experience with hero asset rigging and enveloping in Maya on realistic and/or toon-style animated features.
• Knowledge of anatomy and enveloping.

Responsibilities

• Hero-creature rigging and enveloping in Maya.
• Troubleshoot creature rigging and pipeline issues for artists in other disciplines.
• Mentor entry level artists
• Script utilities/tools/plug-ins in Maya
• Sufficient knowledge of Maya rigging techniques to optimize the performance of rigs
• Participate in reviews, dailies, and department meetings as required
• Special projects as necessary

Skills

Rigging

Enveloping

Mentor junior artists

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

College diploma in computer graphics or related field

5+ years VFX experience in lieu of education

Tools

Maya

Houdini

Python scripting

Linux

Job description

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

Position Summary

Creature TD Riggers are responsible for rigging and enveloping hero to background creatures, vehicles and props in Maya. They are able to wrangle rigging and creature pipeline issues proficiently under the direction and guidance of their supervisors.

This specific position is for a production that requires experience and proficiency in both realistic and/or toon style animation, where experience working with rigs for an exaggerated cartoon style of animation on animated features, as well as live action creature and character animation will be key to this role.

What You’ll Do

• Hero-creature rigging and enveloping in Maya
• Troubleshoot creature rigging and pipeline issues for artists in other disciplines
• Mentor entry level artists
• Script utilities/tools/plug-ins in Maya
• Sufficient knowledge of Maya rigging techniques to optimize the performance of rigs
• Participate in reviews, dailies, and department meetings as required
• Special projects as necessary

What We’re Looking For

• At least 3 years relevant professional VFX experience and at least a college level diploma in computer graphics, fine arts, design, or photography, or related field; OR, at least 5 years relevant professional VFX experience in lieu of education
• Experience with hero asset rigging and enveloping in Maya, on realistic VFX and/or toon-style animated feature films
• Experience in corrective sculpting
• Knowledge of anatomy and enveloping
• Positive attitude and team player
• Passion for the work
• Good communication skills
• Proficiency with Linux and expertise with Maya are required
• Nice to have:
  • Experience setting up and running simulation shot work
  • Experience with Houdini
  • Basic competency in another discipline - Modeling, Texture, TD, Animation
  • Experience with python scripting

JoinILM

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$100,300 to C$128,300 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.