Groom TD (DNEG ANIM)

DNEG Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

DNEG Feature Animation is seeking a Groom TD for its London team to enhance character grooming and surfacing workflows across feature productions. You will troubleshoot tools, pipelines, and shading workflows, collaborating with Rigging, Animation, and CFX teams, while communicating clearly with artists and technical staff worldwide.

Experience in feature animation and strong pipeline knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience within animated feature films.
• Solid understanding of animation department workflows and how they fit in the wider production pipeline.
• Proficient understanding of how/why animation tools aid animation workflows.
• Ability to effectively communicate with animators including those with little technical knowledge as well as very technical production technology teams.
• Comfortable with global collaboration, with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to problem-solve and predict potential problems with assigned tasks.
• Improve Surfacing department/groom workflow and techniques by troubleshooting issues related to tools and pipeline.
• Interact and work with other related departments including Rigging, Animation, and CFX.
• Provide technical support and training to production teams as required.
• Participate in tools, pipeline and workflow meetings.
• Work collaboratively by taking and interpreting feedback in a timely qualitative manner.
• Maintain documentation for tools development and studio protocols.

Skills

Animated features

Workflow understanding

Animation tooling

Communication

Global collaboration

Problem solving

Groom workflow

Interdepartmental collab

Technical support

Training

Tools pipeline

Feedback handling

Documentation

Tools

Houdini

Yeti

XGen

USD

Python

Linux

Mel

Scripting

Job description

DNEG Feature Animation has been growing in recent years, bringing in the best talent to work on our shows and we rely on our talented Groom Artists to create appealing characters suitable for use in Feature Animation. Appeal is key at DNEG and we expect our Groom TD's to have a strong eye for detail and aesthetic design.

Must Have:

• Experience within animated feature films.
• Solid understanding of animation department workflows and how they fit in the wider production pipeline.
• Proficient understanding of how/why animation tools aid animation workflows.
• Ability to effectively communicate with animators including those with little technical knowledge as well as very technical production technology teams.
• Comfortable with global collaboration, with excellent communication skills.
• Ability to problem-solve and predict potential problems with assigned tasks.
• Improve Surfacing departmentgroom workflow and techniques by troubleshooting issues related to tools and pipeline.
• Interact and work with other related departments including Rigging, Animation, and CFX.
• Provide technical support and training to production teams as required.
• Participate in tools, pipeline and workflow meetings.
• Work collaboratively by taking and interpreting feedback in a timely qualitative manner.
• Maintain documentation for tools development and studio protocols.

Nice to Have:

• Some understanding of rigging department workflows
• USD knowledge, and its use in animation workflows
• Python knowledge
• A Generalist background
• Strong proficiency in grooming software, such as Houdini, Yeti,XGen.
• Strong proficiency in Houdini,
• Knowledge of 3D modelling, texturing, and rendering techniques.
• Some understanding of rigging department workflows USD knowledge, and its use in animation workflows.
• Knowledge operating Linux systems
• CFX experience is a plus
• Experience with Scripting for programming (Python, Mel, or similar) is a plus
• A Generalist background