Senior FX Technical Director

Framestore’s LA studio in Culver City is expanding our staff CG team, and are looking for a Senior FX Technical Director to join our busy facility working across a diverse range and high-end creative content.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working both as a hands on artist, and also the ability and passion to lead projects. We are looking for candidates with at least 5 years experience working on a variety of film, television and advertising projects.

This is a full-time staff role with benefits and open to hybrid or fully remote hires from within the United States. Please note, that the role will require working standard Pacific Time business hours.

 Responsibilities:

• Creating particle, rigid-body, fluid, cloth, fur and/or hair simulations or animations
• Applying lighting and shaders to produce the final rendered image or passing the simulation on to a Lighting Technical Director
• Using a variety of commercial and proprietary FX tools including Maya and Houdini
• Working in partnership with other departments to ensure that shots are delivered to the highest possible standard
• Leading and working within the team to determine the various design solutions needed to create the effects
• Designing and creating images, elements, effects, pipelines, tools and techniques
• Helping to design solutions involving a more procedural approach in order to create the effects required
• Producing reviewable composites of all FX elements for a shot.
• FX TDs will be expected to produce final renders
• Working with producers to take briefs on projects, pitches and bids, as requested
• Mentor junior FX TD's

Requirements

• An excellent knowledge of Houdini and/or Maya
• A thorough understanding of the techniques and technologies relating to FX simulation and procedural animation
• Previous experience producing effects such as smoke, fire, clouds, water, steam and explosions in addition to simulation techniques for rigid-bodies, cloth and hair
• A good understanding of animation and an eye for motion
• A working knowledge of Vray or Arnold
• A good understanding of the entire visual effects process
• A familiarity with pipeline issues, especially working between multiple packages
• A working knowledge of at least one compositing application (e.g. Nuke) and a solid understanding of the compositing process
• Strong Vex, hscript and/or Mel scripting skills
• Experience in leading a team of FX artists

Desirable Skills:

• A background in both film, episodic and commercials FX production
• Knowledge in other simulation packages such as Realflow
• Programming skills with C/C++ along with knowledge of the Houdini HDK and/or Maya API
• Python and Unix shell scripting
• Experience with other render packages
• Ambitions to lead and supervise in the future
• Shoot supervision experience a plus

California Employees Pay Range: $120,000 - $155,000 per year.

The posted range describes the minimum to maximum range for this job description in the state of California. The range is posted in accordance with the California Pay Transparency Law. The range for this same position may be lower or higher in markets outside of California. Pay is dependent on the applicant's relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.