Dreamworks seeks Look Dev Artists, Character TDs and Final Layout Artists!
CG Look Dev Designer
- Description:
- The CG Art Generalist works under the direction of the Production Designer, Art Director, and VFX Supervisor, and ensure that the technical and aesthetic goals of the production are met and maintained throughout the pre-production and production process.
- Plays a multitude of roles. Utilizes a wide range of technical and artistic skills to create environments, characters, props, etc., ensuring conceptualized designs are faithfully realized in 3D space.
- May be called on to create geometry, rig assets, animate, paint textures, create shading networks/adjust shader parameters, generate fx elements, matte paint, light and composite.
- Participates as a team member in determining various design solutions and appropriate methods, either within the established production pipeline or in a more ad-hoc method as appropriate, while completing work within a given timeframe.
- May work closely with Production Engineering and R&D to define the needs for toolsets moving forward. This involves addressing immediate needs as well as long-term goals.
- Keep supervisors apprised of issues arising in development and shot production and offering creative solutions to those issues.
- Ensure and establish technical specifications of assets as they move from one department to another.
- -At least 3-5 years of experience in a multitude of CG roles.
- -Expert user of Adobe Photoshop and Autodesk Maya.
- -Proficiency in a variety of other 3rd party software, preferably including (but not limited to) Nuke, Mudbox, ZBrush, Mari, Houdini, and Mental Ray.
- -Must possess broad knowledge of CG production pipelines.
- -Proven ability to work closely within various teams and departments under tight production schedules.
- -Strong multi-tasker able to change priorities quickly.
- -Able to share techniques with peers and communicate effectively.
- -Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Final Layout Artist
Description:
- Take camera shots from RLO and install the actual animatable characters and final sets, resolving any issues that arise.
- Set dress shots based upon key artwork, working with the Art Directors to achieve the desired aesthetic for the set.
- Tighten up the cameras and support the shots through character animation and lighting, answering questions and solving problems that occur as each of these groups begin their work on the shots.
- Set dress continuity between shots.
- Simple prop rigging for character animation such as doors, cables, books, wallets, etc.
- Provide RLO technical support. Create models, set up reference files, rig RLO characters.
- Simple prop animation (i.e. ambient boat motion, non-character interacting props).
- Spatial perception of objects in 3D space
- Use of a 3D software package a plus
- Basic knowledge of camera composition and good sense of aesthetic
- Good problem solving skills, with high attention to detail and organization
- Experience using the unix operating system
- Scripting or programming skills a plus
- Basic knowledge of cinematography a plus (i.e. screen direction, camera movement, camera timing)
- Knowledge of production pipeline a plus
Character TD
Description:
The Character Technical Director is responsible for constructing 3D character rigs and animation interfaces, and establishing muscle, skin, hair, fur and/or clothing behaviors which range from broad squash and stretch to realistic physical simulations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Design, create, test and maintain character set ups
- Work with Modeling to create a model that meets technical needs
- Work with R&D to design, debug and evaluate new tools
- Collaborate with animators to design motion controls
- Develop and maintain character motion and deformation systems
- Develop new techniques and processes to solve character production challenges
- Work with PE and/or Dept TDs to integrate and maintain setups
- Work with FX and CharFX to provide them with information needed to integrate characters and digital effects
- Work with Lighting to achieve final model for rendering
- Write utility scripts and programs to streamline the setup process
- Communicate information about new tools and techniques to others on show and across shows
- Facilitate communication between all departments mentioned above
- Work with production management to prioritize tasks
- Keep supervisors informed of progress, changes, roadblocks and other critical issues
- Participate in training, recruiting and other global department tasks as requested
Qualifications:
- 3+ years production experience
- Knowledge of traditional animation techniques and the principles of character motion
- Knowledge of anatomy
- Training in visual arts and understanding of form, geometry and movement
- Knowledge of academics such as linear algebra, trigonometry, geometry, calculus and differential geometry
- Knowledge in programming and software development skills
- Unix experience desired
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
TO APPLY:
Send your resume, a link to your online reel, and a reel breakdown to jobs@dreamworks.com. Please have your subject line read: [Job Title] - [Your Name].
