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Industrial Light & Magic · 1 month ago

Look Development Technical Director - Expression of Interest

San Francisco, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$101K/yr - $133K/yr

5+ years exp

Industrial Light & Magic is a leading company in visual effects and animation, currently seeking candidates for a Look Development Technical Director role for future consideration. The role involves producing high-quality look development and shading for CG assets, collaborating with supervisors, and mentoring junior artists.

Film ProductionMedia and EntertainmentMotion Capture

Growth Opportunities

Responsibilities

Scrutinize the colors and directions of all light sources in the real-world scene and replicates them in CG

Design and create the lighting and the look of computer generated objects and scenes

Oversee the final CG scene assembly, lighting and rendering of very complex shots

Works closely with Lighting Supervisors and CG Supervisors to determine the best approach to solving CG challenges and developing the final look

Creates lighting set ups and/or works within current set ups

Creates efficient rendering setups in order to optimise render farm usage

Stays on schedule and meets set deadlines while maintaining the highest level of work quality

Ensures there is ongoing communication with Production and Leads regarding schedules and deadlines

Helps mentor Junior Artists within the Lighting/Look Dev team

Create & maintain simple materials using the provided shading templates

Create & maintain custom hero materials and shading networks when necessary

Deep understanding of real world materials

Understanding of energy conservation principles

Deep understanding of Physically based rendering and shader models

Ability to work and communicate with texture and groom artists to get the best possible results

Ability to build and maintain complex shading networks with artist usability and user-interface support in mind

Qualification

LightingRenderingPhysically Based RenderingShading NetworksVFX Pipeline KnowledgeKatanaMayaPython ScriptingLinux Operating SystemsCommunication SkillsTeamworkMentoringTime Management

Required

At least 5 years of relevant professional VFX experience and at least a college level diploma or higher in computer graphics, fine arts, design, or photography, or related field; OR at least 7 years of relevant professional VFX experience in lieu of education

Experience with real-world lighting and photography

Demonstrable advanced Lighting and Rendering experience within a VFX environment

Previous experience performing shot Look Dev tasks

Exhibits excellent listening and communication skills, able to receive direction and criticism

Has a broad understanding of modern shading models

Has an in-depth understanding of PBR (physically based rendering)

Demonstrates the ability to help and teach more junior-level artists

Demonstrates the ability to prioritise tasks, manages time very well, provides everyone with accurate time estimates on shot task completion

Demonstrates excellent presentation/communication skills in dailies/shot review by clearly and briefly outlining what has been accomplished and what should be addressed next in a shot

Demonstrates the ability to work within a team environment

Can write plug-ins, set-up sequences, debug simulations and write set up and Renderman surface shaders with proficiency

Demonstrates the ability to work with minimal supervision to complete a shot

A thorough knowledge of the vfx pipeline from modelling through animation, texturing, rendering and compositing

Ability to pick-up new techniques and the ability to learn new software quickly and easily

Knowledge of Katana is essential, Maya and Zeno beneficial

Knowledge of texturing and lighting

Knowledge of python and/or MEL scripting is essential

Strong interest in shading technologies

At ease with Linux based operating systems

Good understanding of physically plausible shading techniques

In depth knowledge in building shading networks in katana using Renderman

Scripting ability beneficial

Excellent knowledge of Renderman and other unbiased rendering systems

Good knowledge of other disciplines within VFX including modelling, textures, grooming, layout & compositing

Benefits

A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Company

Industrial Light & Magic

Glassdoor4.3

Industrial Light & Magic creates visual effects for the motion picture commercial production and attraction industries. It is a sub-organization of Lucasfilm.

Founded in 1975

San Francisco, California, USA

1001-5000 employees