The Lead FX Artist will manage FX artists & project pipeline on 3D projects for TV, film & games clients, driving the team to meet scheduled objectives & quality targets set across a variety of naturalistic, physical & magical phenomena set-ups & simulations.

The Lead FX Artist is responsible for QC on all output from the project FX team. In addition, they are required to feedback on & manage technical challenges alongside other project leads. A fundamental responsibility of this role is interpreting, filtering & communicating a diverse range of feedback to the FX artists. The Lead FX Artist will help the Head of Dept in mentoring junior members of the department providing technical & artistic leadership, passing on knowledge & methodology on best practice & technique, helping the growth of the studio.

The Lead FX Artist should contribute to the general progression of the studios FX pipeline as well as ensuring the projects run smoothly.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Managing the project’s FX team and it’s pipeline throughout the course of the production

• Helping production drive the project team to meet schedule objectives

• Being proactive in mentoring and developing all members of the FX team in the department across several projects

• Quality controlling FX output on assigned project

• Feedback and managing technical challenges on project alongside the CG Supervisor and Dept lead

• Liaising with production on task assignment and scheduling of the team

• Interpreting and communicating the director feedback and vision to the team

• Design and create realistic and stylised FX using sprite/volumetric rendering techniques and Houdini/Maya particle systems

• Create dynamic or rigid body simulations

• Create tools, utility scripts, expressions and other digital assets to streamline the set-up process and achieve the desired look

• Take responsibility for producing the final looks of FX sequences, including integration with other CG elements

• Provide slap and final comps (as required)

• Keep CG Supervisor and Head of FX informed of progress, changes and other critical issues

REQUIREMENTS

• Strong leadership skills and the ability to confidently supervise a team

• A desire and ability to motivate and develop team members

• Good communication skills and the ability to work interactively with others.

• Ability to feedback to pipeline and direct any technical changes.

• In depth knowledge of Houdini FX experience is essential

• Experience rendering with Houdini/MANTRA preferred

• 2 + years production experience is required.

• Having an animation or commercials background is beneficial

• Some experience with MEL or Houdini scripting

• Some compositing experience, preferably Fusion or similar

• Ability to integrate into existing pipeline infrastructure

• Ability to support yourself and take initiative

• Ability to understand and implement feedback