Crowd FX Artist

Sony Imageworks; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading visual effects studio in Vancouver seeks a talented artist to conceptualize and implement digital character elements for crowd animation. The ideal candidate will have expertise in crowd simulation, strong technical skills in tools like Houdini, and a passion for teamwork. This full-time role offers a competitive hourly wage of $37.50 to $53.80, plus benefits per company policy.

Benefits

Healthcare benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Vacation leave

Qualifications

• Experience in animated or VFX feature films.
• Expertise with crowd simulation tools.
• Ability to create realistic group behaviors.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize and implement digital character elements.
• Meet efficiency and quota targets.
• Assist junior artists and set up shots.

Skills

Crowd simulation expertise

Houdini

VEX/Python knowledge

Animation principles understanding

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or equivalent

Diploma or certificate in animation or visual effects

3-4 years of relevant experience

Tools

Nuke

Katana

Maya

Job description

Overview

Sony Pictures Imageworks Canada Inc.

1285 W Pender St Vancouver, BC V6E 4B1

Language in work environment - English

Benefits per company policy: include healthcare, tuition reimbursement, RRSP's, Sick and Vacation leave, standard increases as applicable

What you'll be doing

• Job: Conceptualize and implement digital character elements and methodology for computer generated crowd animation. Typically creates agent assets, pipelines, tools and techniques that enable population and manipulation of large numbers of characters in scenes requiring crowd simulation to support and motivate the story.
• Accountable for meeting efficiency and quota targets to ensure show/ client deadlines are met.
• Artists must be able to develop solutions and techniques that meet art/ technical direction. Participate in dailies, rounds, team reviews of work in progress.
• Interact with production, supervisors and team/peers in order to problem solve and share information related to show/ assigned tasks. Must be able to decipher as well as follow through on shot turnovers, dailies, briefings/ notes and feedback.
• Shot set up and assisting junior Artists

What we need to see

• Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, OR
• Diploma or certificate from a recognized school of animation or visual effects, OR
• 3-4 years of relevant experience in animated or vfx feature films.
• Expertise with crowd simulation in Houdini/Massive/Golaem/or similar.
• Able to design interaction characteristics for a variety of agent types.
• Understanding of animation principles and the ability to create realistic group behaviors by controlling the motion of individuals within a crowd.
• Customize procedural techniques to create unique and varied performance for animation clip driven characters, as well as standalone simulation agents.
• Adept at providing solutions to creative and technical problems.
• Comfortable with Houdini and FX basics:
• Particle simulation
• Basic VEX/VOPS
• Understands attributes
• Basic FLIP, PYRO, RBD/destruction
• OTL/HDA basics
• Render optimizations
• Nuke competence
• Katana knowledge a plus

Ways to stand out from the crowd

• Professional experience in both animated and live action projects.
• Generalist knowledge with tools such as Houdini, Katana, Maya.
• Evidence of self motivation: aka personal project work.
• Comfortable with the command line Linux/Unix operating system.
• Programming experience VEX, Python, shell scripting.
• In depth knowledge of the flow of data through departments in visual effects pipelines.

Personal qualities we’re looking for

• Organized, proactive and a self-starter.
• A team player and clear communicator, with a natural aptitude for collaboration.
• Adaptable, with a keenness to learn new skills and techniques.
• Calm under pressure and committed to meeting production deadlines.
• A positive, can-do attitude.

Compensation and benefits

The anticipated base salary for this position is $37.50 - $53.80/hr. Benefits are per company policy: which include healthcare, tuition reimbursement, RRSP's, Sick and Vacation leave, standard increases as applicable. 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.

We value unique perspectives, and want diverse, unique talent to work with us. We encourage candidates from all identities to apply.

*Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

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