Directeur.trice Technique des effets de foule | Crowd TD

Framestore VR Studio; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Framestore is seeking a Crowd Technical Director to bring large-scale crowd scenes to life for visual effects projects. You will create and run crowd simulations, develop locomotion and motion behaviours, and collaborate with modeling, rigging, animation, motion capture, and lighting teams to ensure seamless integration into the final image.

The role emphasizes creative problem-solving, technical innovation, and contributing to new crowd tools and workflows, under tight deadlines in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of Houdini, Houdini Crowds and Agent Definitions (Maya experience a plus).
• Creative problem-solving and an understanding of both aesthetic and technical requirements.
• Solid grasp of animation principles and an eye for motion.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and organisational skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Familiarity with VFX pipelines and workflows across multiple software packages.
• Experience working in Unix/Linux environments.

Responsibilities

• Create and run crowd simulations as briefed by the CG or VFX Supervisor.
• Develop locomotion and motion behaviours to achieve varied and believable performances.
• Support the development of new crowd tools and workflows.
• Maintain strong communication with Production and Leads to meet deadlines and quality standards.

Skills

Creative problem-solving

Animation principles

Communication

Collaboration

Tools

Houdini

Houdini Crowds

Agent Definitions

Maya

VEX

Python

C++

Unix/Linux

Job description

The multi-Oscar-winning creative Film & Episodic studio, at Framestore has worked with some of the greatest storytellers in film today. Collaborating with directors and producers across the complete filmmaking process to help design, plan and create beautiful images, we focus on finding innovative creative solutions to support their vision and set new standards for visual effects in cinema.

Framestore combines talent and technology to bring life to everything we create. Driven by creativity and inspired by the future, we set out every day to reframe the possible.

About the role

At Framestore, our Crowd Technical Directors bring large-scale scenes to life - simulating and animating tens of thousands of characters for high-end visual effects films. Working closely with our Supervisors and department Leads, you’ll help craft the dynamic motion and behaviour of digital crowds that fill the worlds of our most ambitious projects.

You’ll use both proprietary and off-the-shelf software to create visually rich simulations, ensuring a balance between realism and artistry. Collaboration is at the heart of the role - you’ll work hand-in-hand with teams across Modelling, Rigging, Animation, Motion Capture, and Lighting to deliver seamless crowd work that integrates perfectly into the final image.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on both creative problem-solving and technical innovation, with the chance to contribute to the development of new tools and techniques that push the boundaries of what’s possible in visual effects.

You will also:

• Create and run crowd simulations as briefed by the CG or VFX Supervisor


• Develop locomotion and motion behaviours to achieve varied and believable performances.


• Support the development of new crowd tools and workflows.


• Maintain strong communication with Production and Leads to meet deadlines and quality standards.

Requirements

What we’re looking for:

• Strong working knowledge of Houdini, particularly Houdini Crowds and Agent Definitions (Maya experience a plus).


• Creative problem-solving and an understanding of both aesthetic and technical requirements.


• Solid grasp of animation principles and an eye for motion.


• Excellent communication, collaboration and organisational skills.


• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.


• Familiarity with VFX pipelines and workflows across multiple software packages.


• Experience working in Unix/Linux environments.


• Adaptability and a willingness to learn new tools and processes.

You might also have:

• Previous experience in a similar crowd or simulation role.


• Programming or scripting experience (e.g. VEX, Python, C++).


• Understanding of particle systems and procedural animation.


• Experience developing tools, scripts, or plug-ins to streamline workflows.


• Familiarity with motion capture data integration.

Accessibility Statement

Our Montreal studio has universal access, with step-free entry, accessible toilets, and quiet spaces available. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace for everyone and continue to improve accessibility to ensure all employees feel supported.