Crowd FX Artist

Sony Imageworks; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading visual effects studio in Vancouver is seeking a skilled character animator specializing in crowd simulation. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in animation or visual effects, along with expertise in tools like Houdini. Responsibilities include developing character elements for crowd animation and ensuring project deadlines are met. A collaborative spirit, problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt to new challenges are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• 3-4 years of experience in animated or VFX feature films.
• Expertise with crowd simulation tools.
• Ability to create realistic group behaviors.

Responsibilities

• Develop digital character elements for crowd animation.
• Meet efficiency and quota targets for deadlines.
• Interact with production teams for problem-solving.

Skills

Crowd simulation expertise in Houdini/Massive/Golaem

Understanding of animation principles

Problem solving skills

Comfortable with Houdini and FX basics

Education

Bachelor’s in Computer Science or equivalent

Diploma or certificate from an animation school

Tools

Houdini

Maya

Nuke

Katana

Job description

DESCRIPTION:

Sony Pictures Imageworks Canada Inc.
1285 W Pender St
Vancouver, BC V6E 4B1

Language in work environment - English

What you'll be doing

• 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.
• 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 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.

Reference: ECNJOBID-3-67-103-209 in the application