Crowds Supervisor - Netflix Animation Studios

Netflix; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 188,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

Netflix Animation Studios seeks a Crowds Supervisor to lead the crowds team on a feature, overseeing character crowds simulations, background performances, and large-scale moments. You’ll ensure crowds support story scale, tone, and visual style while remaining technically robust for downstream departments.

The role is based in Vancouver, BC, with a hybrid work model (minimum 3 days in the office). Netflix emphasizes inclusion and a collaborative culture across teams to achieve high-quality,

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading crowds or character effects on feature animation, VFX, or high-end series.
• Strong reel showing high-quality crowds systems and integration into complex sequences.
• Proficiency with Houdini or proprietary crowds tools; familiarity with Maya, Golaem or Massive.
• Excellent communication and leadership to collaborate across departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of crowds artists and TDs, assign work and provide feedback.
• Collaborate with VFX and show leadership to set visual and technical standards.
• Supervise crowds on shots and sequences to support story clarity and cinematic composition.
• Refine crowd setups and cycles for complex hero or reference work.
• Coordinate with Animation, Layout, Environments, FX, CFX, Lighting, and Compositing.
• Help define crowd tools, workflows, and pipelines with pipeline teams.
• Provide input on crowds complexity and progress for planning.
• Troubleshoot technical and artistic challenges while meeting schedule needs.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative team culture.

Skills

Crowds simulation

Leadership

Houdini

VFX integration

Communication

Tools

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 crowd 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 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hybrid Role (Minimum of 3 days a week in the office).

At NAS, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your compensation. We rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, location, skills, and experience. The overall market range for this role is typically $188k - 228k CAD. This reflects total compensation; we do not have stock options.

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.