Lead Compositor: Visionary VFX & Nuke Expert

SWAYBOX STUDIOS®; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Swaybox Studios, New Orleans, LA, seeks an experienced Lead Compositor to guide VFX integration. You will mentor the team, oversee shot execution, and ensure photoreal and stylized composites meet the creative vision under the Compositing Supervisor.

The role requires strong on-the-box skills in Nuke, experience with live-action and CG, and a collaborative approach across CG, Tracking, and TDs. Onsite studio position in New Orleans; equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of live-action film/episodic compositing, focusing on environments and realism.
• Experience leading shots or mentoring artists in a compositing team.
• Strong on-the-box compositing of live-action and CG integration.
• Expert-level knowledge of Nuke, including Gizmos, Groups, projections, depth workflows, and advanced compositing techniques.
• Experience compositing both stylized and photorealistic environments with attention to cinematography and storytelling.
• Solid understanding of DMP and CG pipelines within a VFX production environment.
• Experience working with OCIO/ACES color workflows.
• Working knowledge of vector-based compositing tools and techniques.
• Strong understanding of visual language including texture, color, dimension, scale, perspective, motion blur, depth of field, and spatial awareness.
• Experience working with LiDAR scans, HDRIs, and photogrammetry.
• Strong understanding of cinematography, photography, and color science, including lenses, lighting setups, and camera workflows.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative production environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the compositing of complex shots, ensuring seamless integration of elements while maintaining the visual language and aesthetic of the film.
• Support the Compositing Supervisor in guiding artists and maintaining consistent artistic and technical standards across assigned sequences.
• Work closely with CG, Character Comp, Tracking, and other departments to ensure smooth handoffs and proper integration of elements.
• Contribute significant on-the-box compositing work, solving complex compositing challenges and setting examples of best practices for the team.
• Provide feedback, mentorship, and guidance to compositors to support growth and maintain a collaborative working environment.
• Help track shot progress and support the team in meeting deadlines, while maintaining high-quality output.
• Troubleshoot technical issues within artist scripts and assist with workflow solutions.
• Collaborate with the Compositing Supervisor and TDs to help identify pipeline improvements, tool needs, and workflow optimizations.
• Translate creative and technical notes from the Director, VFX Supervisor, Compositing Supervisor, and stakeholders into clear shot direction.
• Participate in dailies, reviews, and team syncs, providing constructive feedback and helping ensure notes are applied efficiently.
• Create clean, efficient Nuke scripts, templates, and reusable setups that support scalable workflows.
• Maintain organized files while adhering to pipeline standards, naming conventions, and documentation practices.
• Contribute to early visual development, look development, and R&D when needed.
• Stay informed on emerging compositing tools, technologies, and industry techniques.

Skills

Nuke expert

Leadership

Live-action compositing

Python scripting

OCIO/ACES workflows

Tools

Nuke

Job description

Swaybox Studios, New Orleans, LA, seeks an experienced Lead Compositor to guide VFX integration. You will mentor the team, oversee shot execution, and ensure photoreal and stylized composites meet the creative vision under the Compositing Supervisor.

The role requires strong on-the-box skills in Nuke, experience with live-action and CG, and a collaborative approach across CG, Tracking, and TDs. Onsite studio position in New Orleans; equal opportunity employer.