Matte Painter

Reel FX Animation; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Reel FX Animation in Montreal is seeking a Matte Painter to join our studio crew, collaborating with the Matte Painting Supervisor, Lead Matte Painter, Production Designer & Art Director to create backdrops for a 3D stereoscopic feature.

The ideal candidate will master 2D/2.5D/3D painting, understand lighting and mood, and be proficient in Photoshop, Maya, Blender, and related tools, while communicating across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in fine arts or animation, or equivalent experience.
• Traditional drawing/painting skills are mandatory.
• Solid understanding of character animation and lip-syncing.
• Ability to paint light and mood, matching style keys.
• Proficient in 2D, 2.5D and 3D matte painting across software.
• Excellent communication in English or French.

Responsibilities

• Create 2D/2.5D/3D matte paintings and related geometry for film scenes.
• Paint skies, environments, set extensions, and props.
• Build setups in 2D, 2.5D and 3D software.
• Model, unwrap UVs, texture, light, render and composite.
• Collaborate with design, layout, modeling, lighting and compositing teams.
• Document new processes and methodologies; learn new tools.

Job description

We’re excited to be back in our Montreal studio Tuesday thru Thursday… come join us!

Working with the Matte Painting Supervisor, Lead Matte Painter, Production Designer & Art Director to create matte paintings (e.g., 2D/2.5D/3D background mattes and projections) for a 3D stereoscopic animated feature film.

Responsibilities:

• Create the 2D/2.5D/3D painted (handpainted, 3D or photobash) backgrounds and necessary 3D geometry required to complete any 3D environments, sets, sets extensions or scenes on the film, while working with the design, layout, modeling, environment, surfacing, and lighting & compositing departments
• Create full hand painted skies, environments, set extensions, props
• Create simple and complex setups in 2D, 2.5D and 3D software
• 3D modeling, unwrapping UVs, surfacing, lighting, rendering, compositing
• To troubleshoot and use talents to create visually stunning backgrounds which match and marry the film’s style and 3D requirements, using direction giving by the Matte Painting Supervisor, Art Director and Production Designer.
• Create documentation about new processes, and new methodologies (5%)
• Autonomously learn new processes, software, and new ways to work (5%)
• Easily and effectively communicate ideas, process and roadblocks to other team members (10%)

Qualifications:

• Degree/diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience
• Traditional Drawing / Painting skills is mandatory
• Solid understanding of character animation, and lip-synching
• Strong ability to paint light and mood while matching style keys
• Strong skills in painting, drawing, values, design, composition, color temperatures
• Strong ability to learn autonomously
• Strong communication skills (English or French)
• Ability to create matte paintings stylistically or realistically using 2D, 2.5D and 3D applications
• Extensive skills in Photoshop, Maya, Blender, Houdini, Unreal, ZBrush, 3Dcoat, Mari, Nuke, Terragen, SketchbookPro, Procreate, and rendering software (Arnold,Redshift,Cycles,Vray etc.)
• Familiar with Stereoscopic digital process

This job description is not meant to be all inclusive.

Employees may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Please note that Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada will be treated in priority.

Only the selected candidates will be contacted. Please note that you may be asked to provide references.