Lead Crowd TD (Expression of Interest)

Framestore Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading visual effects company in London seeks a Lead Crowd Artist to create crowd simulations for high-end films. The role requires leading a team and expertise in Houdini, with strong creative and technical skills essential. Candidates should possess experience in team leadership and problem-solving abilities. The company offers a fully accessible workplace and a supportive application process.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a team required.
• Thorough knowledge of Houdini is necessary.
• Creative problem-solving and organizational skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Create crowd character simulations based on briefs.
• Collaborate with departments and enhance tools for efficiency.
• Lead a global team and maintain high quality standards.

Skills

Team leadership

Knowledge of Houdini

KineFX expertise

Vex expertise

Creative problem-solving

Animation understanding

Strong work ethic

Excellent communication

Familiarity with workflow issues

Adaptability

Tools

Python

C++

Job description

Framestore brings together world‑class producers, artists, and technologists to craft visually striking work across advertising, episodic, and immersive productions. Our teams blend creative ingenuity with cutting‑edge technology to deliver high‑end visual effects, immersive storytelling, and premium content for global clients, brands, and broadcasters.

Framestore combines talent and technology to bring life to everything we create. Driven by creativity and inspired by the future, we set out every day to reframe the possible.

This is a new role within our team. Framestore’s Crowd Technical Directors are responsible for creating the motion of crowds, including animating and simulating tens of thousands of characters for high‑end visual effects films.

What you’ll do:

As a lead Crowd Artist, responsibilities include creating simulations of crowd characters based on briefs from the Visual Effects or CG Supervisor, while ensuring consistent communication with Production about schedules and deadlines. The role also involves collaboration with various departments within the crowd pipeline and contributing to the development of tools and techniques to enhance efficiency and quality. Key tasks include:

• Developing locomotion, motion, and triggering behaviours to achieve diverse crowd looks
• Utilising both proprietary and off‑the‑shelf crowd software to deliver top‑quality results
• Leading a global team of artists while staying on schedule and maintaining high standards

• Experience of leading a team
• A thorough knowledge of Houdini

• Expertise of both KineFX and Vex
• Creative problem‑solving skills
• An appreciation of both the aesthetic and technical requirements of the role
• A good understanding of animation and an eye for motion
• A strong work ethic and a willingness to be involved in both development and shot execution
• The ability to work as part of a team in a challenging, changeable and deadline‑oriented environment
• Excellent organisation, communication, and interpersonal skills and the ability to liaise across departments
• A familiarity with pipeline and workflow issues, especially working between multiple packages
• Adaptability and the willingness to learn new processes, software, and technical skills

Desirable Skills:

• Programming/scripting experience (e.g. Python and/or C++)
• A good understanding of particle systems
• Experience in developing tools, scripts, and plug‑ins to help streamline workflow
• Previous experience working with motion capture data

Accessibility Statement

Our London studio is fully accessible, with step‑free entry, accessible toilets on all floors, and quiet spaces available. We are committed to supporting disabled colleagues and providing an inclusive workplace for everyone.

Application Process

To apply, please complete the linked application form or email your resume and portfolio to [e-mail] with the subject line: Lead Crowd - London

We review all applications manually and do not use artificial intelligence to screen candidates. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please let us know—we are happy to accommodate your needs.