Senior Crowds Technical Artist

Skydance Media; Madrid; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Skydance Media in Madrid is looking for a Senior Crowds Technical Artist to assist in creating master crowd rigs and deploying them for production shots.

The ideal candidate has over 5 years in VFX or animation industries and excellent knowledge of the Houdini Crowd system. Responsibilities include setting up crowd assets, creating crowd agents, and providing support to the team to enhance artistic and professional growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in VFX or animation industries.
• 3+ years in the animation industry.
• Excellent knowledge of Houdini Crowd system.

Responsibilities

• Set up crowd assets and HDAs within the existing Houdini pipeline.
• Create a range of crowd agents for efficient simulation.
• Apply and execute crowd behaviors with high quality.

Skills

Technical problem-solving

Crowd simulation

Houdini Crowd system

Maya

Procedural rendering

Collaboration

English proficiency

Tools

Houdini

Maya

Job description

Skydance offers a dynamic, inclusive, and ever‑evolving culture where innovative ideas are welcomed, and growth is fostered. The partnership between unique creativity and technological advancements is demonstrated within each pillar of the company. At the heart of it all is a commitment to boldly entertaining and relevant storytelling.

While all animation studios look to hire people who are creative and hard‑working, Skydance Animation is specifically looking for pioneers who seek to push the limits of what the world’s most collaborative art form can achieve, and to give those pioneers the space and the resources to build a new studio that’s doing something different.

As a Senior Crowds Technical Artist, you will assist the Crowds Supervisor with technical and creative approaches to an assigned sequence, creating master crowd rigs and deploying them to the team of crowd artists for production shots.

Responsibilities

• Sets up crowd assets and HDAs within the existing Houdini pipeline and tests new procedures and workflows under the artistic supervision of the Crowds Lead and Supervisor.
• Creates a range of crowd agents (bipeds/quadrupeds and vehicles) for efficient simulation.
• Applies and executes crowd behaviors on shots with the highest quality standards.
• Has strong technical problem‑solving skills, including the ability to troubleshoot pipeline issues and to resolve shot‑specific technical challenges independently.
• Keeps up on current artistic methodologies and on technology trends and tools that best suit the production and the company in the development of a stronger creative and technical environment.
• Works together with the team, providing them with support, guidance and instruction in areas that contribute towards their artistic and professional growth.
• Follows the Supervisor’s and Lead’s guidance.
• Provides hands‑on assistance to the Crowd Animators.
• Gives feedback to the department TD’s to continue the development of tools and workflows associated with crowdfunding.

Requirements

• 5+ years in VFX or animation industries.
• 3+ years in the animation industry.
• Excellent knowledge of Houdini Crowd system.
• Working knowledge of Maya, Houdini in production environments.
• Knowledge of procedural rendering in Renderman.
• Experience in creating crowds for animated films.
• Deep understanding of the entire CG pipeline, from assets to lighting.
• High English level desirable.