Groom TD (DNEG ANIM)

Dneg; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

DNEG Feature Animation is seeking skilled Groom TDs to support grooming workflows in feature animation. You will collaborate with Rigging, Animation and CFX teams to optimize tools, pipelines and techniques for surfacing and grooming tasks.

You will provide technical support, document workflows, and participate in pipeline meetings to help maintain high-quality production standards across our features.

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 grooming 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

Production pipeline

Animation tools workflows

Communication with animators

Global collaboration

Problem solving

Tool troubleshooting

Documentation

Feedback interpretation

Cross-department collaboration

Tools

Houdini

Yeti

XGen

USD

Python

Mel

Linux

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 departmentgroomworkflow 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