Lead Model Artist - (Feature Animation) - ILM London

The Walt Disney Company (France); City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animation studio is seeking a Lead Model Artist to join their Feature Animation team. The role requires significant experience in feature animation and the ability to lead a team in creating photoreal and stylized assets. Responsibilities include collaborating with various artists and managing the presentation standards of model assets. This position offers a hybrid work model, requiring at least two days on-site each week.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in lead roles for Feature Animation.
• Ability to maintain asset standards across shows.
• Comfort in managing detailed hero model needs.

Responsibilities

• Communicate asset goals between artists and production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in asset creation.
• Explore workflow strategies for complex assets.

Skills

Experience in Feature Animation Projects

Asset presentation and delivery standards

Flexibility with character and large scale assets

Creative vision distillation

Tools

Maya

Zbrush

Houdini

Shotgrid

Job description

Position Summary

At Industrial Light & Magic we’re pushing the boundaries of feature animation, combining artistic vision with cutting-edge technology.

We are looking for a Lead Model Artist to work within our Feature Animation team who reflects the collaborative mindset, excellence and passion for great filmmaking that define ILM.

The Lead Model Artist is responsible for leading other artists with patience and respect to make sure they are supported and successful. They have the ability to help bid, delegate and create photoreal and stylized assets for extreme close up and hero use as well as review model assets and manage show expectations.

Prior experience in feature animation is essential, as you’ll be instrumental in delivering projects that uphold ILM’s legacy of excellence and innovation.

What You’ll Do:

• Help with handoffs and communicating asset goals and notes between artists, production and supervision.

• Works with Supervisors and HOD to determine the best approach for complex issues.

• Instigates and explores workflow strategies for complex assets.

• Collaboration with a cross-functional team, including Texture Artists, Lookdev TDs, Creature Artsist and other Model Artists, to be a key artist in the desired concept and topology aspects of assets.

• Support environment and set dressing artists with efficient large scale assets and model kits

What We’re Looking For:

• Significant proven experience in Feature Animation Projects at a Lead level and proven ability to deliver complex shots to the highest level of quality.

• Ability to maintain the team's asset presentation and delivery standards across multiple shows.

• Flexibility working across character, hard surface and large scale assets.

• Comfort in managing hero model needs beyond the level of detail provided in reference.

• Distilling the creative vision from clients into notes for artists to follow.

• Experience working closely with production on a large scale feature.

Technical Skills

• Established production experience with Maya.

• A good understanding of a full Feature Animation pipeline.

• Strong skills in developing advanced subdivision surfaces model assets.

• Comfortable exploring concept sculpts in software such as Zbrush.

• Ability to use node networks such as Houdini a plus.

• Ability to use shotgrid is a plus.

As part of your application please submit a demo reel, shot breakdown, or equivalent showcasing your work. A current resume is required.

This role is Hybrid, which means the employee will be required to work a minimum of 2 days on-site per week at a Company designated location, and occasionally from home.

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