Look Development Technical Director

Disney Cruise Line - The Walt Disney Company; Vancouver; Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

A major entertainment company seeks a Look Dev Technical Director in Vancouver. This hybrid role involves designing lighting for CG assets and mentoring junior artists. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Graphics along with strong skills in lighting and rendering within a VFX environment. Knowledge of software like Katana and Renderman is essential. The position offers a salary range of CAD 85,900 to CAD 109,900 per year, reflecting the candidate's experience.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in shading technologies.
• Deep understanding of physically based rendering.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.

Responsibilities

• Design and create the lighting for computer generated objects.
• Responsible for lighting and rendering complex shots.
• Mentor Junior Artists within the Lighting/Look Dev team.

Skills

Lighting and rendering experience

Communication skills

Python programming

Knowledge of Katana

Shading technologies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics or equivalent

Tools

Renderman

Maya

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

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

Look Dev Technical Directors are responsible for producing high-quality look dev and shading for our CG Assets, needing only initial direction and guidance from their Supervisors. Have the flexibility of moving into lighting shot production, producing high end lighting during show production.

What You’ll Do

• Scrutinize the colours and directions of all light sources in the real-world scene and replicates them in CG
• Design and create the lighting and the look of computer generated objects and scenes
• Responsible for the final CG scene assembly, lighting and rendering of very complex shots
• Works closely with Lighting Supervisors and CG Supervisors to determine the best approach to solving CG challenges and developing the final look
• Creates lighting set ups and/or works within current set ups
• Creates efficient rendering setups in order to optimise render farm usage
• Stays on schedule and meets set deadlines while maintaining the highest level of work quality
• Ensures there is ongoing communication with Production and Leads regarding schedules and deadlines
• Helps mentor Junior Artists within the Lighting/Look Dev team
• Create & maintain simple materials using the provided shading templates
• Create & maintain custom hero materials and shading networks when necessary
• Deep understanding of real world materials
• Understanding of energy conservation principles
• Deep understanding of Physically based rendering and shader models
• Ability to work and communicate with texture and groom artists to get the best possible results
• Ability to build and maintain complex shading networks with artist usability and user-interface support in mind
  

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Graphics or equivalent or previous professional experience in a related field
• Experience with real-world lighting and photography
• Demonstrable advanced Lighting and Rendering experience within a VFX environment
• Previous experience performing shot Look Dev tasks
• Exhibits excellent listening and communication skills, able to receive direction and criticism
• Has a broad understanding of modern shading models
• Has an in-depth understanding of PBR (physically based rendering)
• Demonstrates the ability to help and teach more junior-level artists
• Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manages time very well, provides everyone with accurate time estimates on shot task completion
• Demonstrates excellent presentation/communication skills in dailies/shot review by clearly and briefly outlining what has been accomplished and what should be addressed next in a shot
• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively within a team environment
• Can write plug-ins, set-up sequences, debug simulations and write set up and Renderman surface shaders with proficiency
• Demonstrates the ability to work with minimal supervision to complete a shot
• A thorough understanding of the vfx pipeline from modelling through animation, texturing, rendering and compositing
• Ability to pick-up new techniques and the ability to learn new software quickly and easily
• Knowledge of Katana is essential, Maya and Zeno beneficial
• A good understanding of texturing and lighting
• Knowledge of python and/or MEL scripting is essential
• Strong interest in shading technologies
• At ease with Linux based operating systems
• Good understanding of physically plausible shading techniques
• In depth knowledge in building shading networks in katana using Renderman
• Scripting ability beneficial
• Excellent knowledge of Renderman and other unbiased rendering systems
• Good knowledge of other disciplines within VFX including modelling, textures, grooming, layout & compositing

As part of your application please submit a demo reel, shot breakdown, or equivalent showcasing your work. A current resume is required.

JoinILM

At Disney, we incorporate certain artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of our recruitment process. Specifically, AI may be used to:

• Recommend potential job opportunities
• Prioritize applications based on job qualifications and role requirements
• Assist in automating scheduling of interviews
• Supplement recruiter notes during interviews
• Personalize communication to improve the recruitment experience

We are committed to ensuring that the use of AI does not introduce bias into our hiring practices. Our AI tools are designed and monitored to promote fairness, consistency, and compliance with applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

Human review is incorporated into every aspect of the recruitment process, from review to hire. AI tools are intended solely to assist and enhance the recruitment process. All final candidate advancement and hiring decisions are made by human recruiters and hiring managers.

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$85,900.00 to C$109,900.00 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.