Swaybox Studios · 7 hours ago
Lead CG Generalist
New Orleans, LA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
5+ years expSwaybox Studios is a company focused on innovative visual storytelling, collaborating with major studios to create groundbreaking projects. They are seeking a Lead CG Generalist to oversee the texture, shading, and lighting of CG elements integrated into live action, ensuring high artistic standards and efficient workflows. This hands-on role involves supporting the VFX team in pre and post production, improving processes, and collaborating closely with various supervisors.
Media Production
Responsibilities
Lead and support all Unreal/CG set, prop, and vehicle-related work across VFX pre- and post-production
Demonstrate a strong understanding of surface characteristics to create, adjust, and match textures and shading materials to our fabricated sets and props; doing research and collecting visual reference materials to inform surface detail and realism
Replicate texture and lighting from live action plates onto our environments and props with an emphasis on fine details, texture nuances, and the overall aesthetic of our film. Preserving a cohesive consistency across CG replacements/extensions, ensuring a smooth, seamless integration of our internal fabricated sets and live action plates
Create custom textures and materials for our CG assets utilizing various techniques including: hand painting, photo-sourcing, projection mapping, scans, and photogrammetry
Manage and optimize UV mapping for clean and efficient texture workflows
Maintain organized texture libraries and adhere to studio naming conventions and pipeline standards
Implement both static (baked) and dynamic lighting solutions using Unreal Engine
Collaborate with VFX Supervisor, CG Supervisor, MoMo Supervisor, and TDs to identify areas of improvement in the pipeline, including tool and workflow development
Participate in establishing where and when DMP projections vs. CG will be used and how those are implemented
Maintain output quality and momentum in a fast-paced environment
Communicate effectively with production and creative leads to align visual performance with narrative goals
Troubleshoot artist files and support the development and implementation of tools in collaboration with TDs
Participate in progress reviews with the VFX Supervisor and Production
Ensure an efficient, flexible, and artist-friendly pipeline, while maintaining organized files and documentation
Qualification
Required
5+ years of experience in high-end, live action film or episodic VFX production
Previous training, leadership, or supervisor experience within a VFX or animation team or equivalent
Experience bidding times on tasks, reviewing artist work, and giving constructive feedback in a timely manner
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Quick adaptability and thrives in fast-paced, unique, evolving environments, consistently delivering results under tight deadlines
Artistic eye and proficiency in UV, texture, and shading/lookdev within the following programs: Substance Painter, Substance Designer, Mari, Photoshop, and Maya
Expert knowledge of Unreal Engine and Houdini shading/lookdev- material creation (and optimization), layout, lighting, and rendering tools
Proven experience working with physically based rendering (PBR) and stylized art pipelines
Basic knowledge of compositing in Nuke to create and refine slap comps for presentation
In-depth knowledge of texture mapping techniques
Deep understanding of visual language- texture, color, dimension, scale, perspective, shade, motion blur, depth of field, proportion, spatial awareness, etc
A solid understanding of CG modelling and rigging workflows
Proven ability to collaborate with supervisors, artists, and production teams
Preferred
Traditional art background or fine arts education
Working knowledge of on-set camera work, including understanding of lenses, lighting setups, and tracking
Experience with photogrammetry and scanning is a huge plus
Familiarity with hybrid workflows that span traditional VFX and digital puppetry
Experience with ZBrush and other 3D software is advantageous
Familiarity with scripting, blueprinting, and other tool development to aid in pipeline improvements
An artistic mindset and willingness to receive and implement constructive feedback
Company
Swaybox Studios
Swaybox Studios is bringing the magic of practical puppetry to the big screen in ways never before seen.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase