Lead Lighting Artist

Placements24; Vereeniging; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in Vereeniging, Gauteng, is seeking an experienced Lead Lighting Artist to head the lighting department for our animation and VFX projects. You will guide a team of lighting artists, shaping mood and storytelling through light and shadow.

You will set lighting style, collaborate with directors and VFX supervisors, and optimize scenes in 3D environments. A strong portfolio and technical fluency with Maya, RenderMan, and related tools are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in lighting for animation, VFX, or games.
• Strong portfolio of lighting work across styles and productions.
• Proficiency with industry-standard lighting and rendering software (Maya, 3ds Max, Blender) and renderers (Arnold, RenderMan, V-Ray, Octane).
• Deep understanding of light, color theory, composition, and mood.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of lighting artists, providing direction, feedback, and technical support.
• Establish and maintain the lighting style and quality for projects, ensuring consistency and artistic integrity.
• Set up, adjust, and optimize lighting scenes in 3D environments to achieve desired mood and storytelling goals.
• Collaborate with directors, art directors, and VFX supervisors to realize the visual intent.
• Develop and implement lighting workflows and best practices.
• Troubleshoot lighting issues and ensure timely delivery of shots.
• Manage shot assignments and schedules for the lighting team.
• Stay current with advancements in lighting technology and rendering techniques.
• Ensure lighting integrates with other departments like look development and compositing.
• Review work and provide constructive criticism and approvals.

Skills

Lead lighting

Lighting design

Team leadership

Communication

Tools

Maya

3ds Max

Blender

Arnold

RenderMan

V-Ray

Octane

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a premier animation and visual effects studio located in Vereeniging, Gauteng , is seeking an experienced and visionary Lead Lighting Artist to spearhead their lighting department. This role is pivotal in defining the visual mood, atmosphere, and narrative clarity of our projects through expert manipulation of light and shadow. You will guide a team of talented lighting artists, ensuring the highest standards of quality and artistic consistency across all productions, including feature films, animated series, and commercials. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to visually breathtaking projects, mentor a creative team, and play a key role in shaping the aesthetic direction of our work. We are dedicated to crafting visually compelling narratives and seek a leader who is passionate about the art and technical aspects of lighting. The ideal candidate will possess a strong artistic sensibility coupled with technical expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of lighting artists, providing direction, feedback, and technical support.


• Establish and maintain the lighting style and quality for projects, ensuring consistency and artistic integrity.


• Set up, adjust, and optimize lighting scenes in 3D environments to achieve desired mood, atmosphere, and storytelling goals.


• Collaborate closely with directors, art directors, and VFX supervisors to realize the visual intent of the project.


• Develop and implement lighting workflows and best practices.


• Troubleshoot lighting issues and provide solutions to ensure timely delivery of shots.


• Manage shot assignments and schedules for the lighting team.


• Stay current with advancements in lighting technology, rendering techniques, and industry trends.


• Ensure lighting integrates seamlessly with other departments like look development and compositing.


• Review work from the lighting team, providing constructive criticism and approvals.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in lighting for animation, VFX, or games, with at least 2 years in a lead or senior role.


• A strong portfolio showcasing exceptional lighting work across various styles and productions.


• Proficiency with industry-standard lighting and rendering software (e.g., Maya, 3ds Max, Blender) and renderers (e.g., Arnold, RenderMan, V-Ray, Octane).


• Deep understanding of light, color theory, composition, and mood.


• Experience with physically-based rendering (PBR) workflows.


• Knowledge of scene assembly, look development, and compositing principles.


• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and manage a team of artists.


• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.


• Experience with scripting (e.g., Python) for pipeline tools is a plus.


• A keen eye for detail and a passion for visual storytelling.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, and significant opportunities for professional development and career progression within a dynamic and creative studio environment in Vereeniging, Gauteng . You will have the opportunity to work on exciting, high-profile projects alongside talented professionals. We foster a collaborative culture that values artistic excellence and innovation. Join our team and help us illuminate the world with stunning visuals.