Look Development Artist

We’re excited to be back in our Montreal studio Tuesday thru Thursday… come join us! Look Development Artist (Feature Animation) is responsible for the creation of the look of characters, props and assets that meet the requirement and artistic style of the production. This is done through the creation of shading networks, 3D texturing and shader parameters to create a specific material that responds correctly when placed in a 3D lighting scene. Look Development Artist is also responsible for collaborating with Surfacing and Texture Artists, Shader Writers and the Lighting, Grooming and FX teams to create a variety of textural looks and styles as defined by the production’s Art Direction. This is not a programming position.

Responsibilities

Lighting • Create/Modify/Maintain turnaround light rigs for asset departments - neutral light look rig - lighting calisthenics” rigs • Optimize/Troubleshoot/Vet render settings • Optimize/Troubleshoot/Vet environment rigs • Optimize/Troubleshoot key shot rigs • Troubleshoot shot lights • Support Lighting artists Surfacing • Create/Optimize/Troubleshoot/Vet render settings • Optimize/Troubleshoot/Vet the overall basic approach to surfacing for a show • Create/Optimize/Troubleshoot/Vet complex assets • Support surfacing artists Grooming • Create/Optimize/Troubleshoot/Vet render settings • Optimize/Troubleshoot grooms FX • Create/Optimize/Troubleshoot/Vet render settings • Create/Optimize/Troubleshoot/Vet specific looks for effects Training • Disseminate Look related knowledge to artists to help streamline workflow R&D • Work with Technical Directors to improve and develop pipe tools • Work with Technical Directors to create better solutions (creatively as well as technically) to difficult and render-intensive assets • Stay abreast of new technology and tools in the industry - new tools never used - new functionality in our existing tools (Maya, Arnold, Mari, SpeedTree, etc…) - new concepts that we can fold into our existing tool set

Qualifications

• Degree/diploma in fine arts or animation or equivalent experience preferred • Mid-Senior Level experience preferred (one or more feature film, Commercial and/or Video Game production), but junior level artist openings will be considered • Experience with Solid Angle’s Arnold renderer required • Good artistic eye for detail with ability to create a fleshed-out look to match various references • Familiarity with Polygonal texturing, including UV and UDIM Layout • Experience with Mari or comparable 3D paint software • Experience in python scripting is a plus • Katana, Houdini and USD experience is a plus • Detail oriented with ability to handle the complexity of the company pipeline • Ability to debug complex shader networks. • Openness to existing workflows • Ability to solve problems independently and take initiative • Background in visual arts desired • Able to communicate creative and technical thoughts and ideas • Able to multi-task and prioritize • Able to thrive in a high pressure, deadline-oriented environment This job description is not meant to be all inclusive. Employees may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Please note that Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada will be treated in priority. Only the selected candidates will be contacted. Please note that you may be asked to provide references. Professional references may be requested.