Lead Creature Technical Director

About ILM

Founded by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, with studios located in San Francisco, Vancouver, London, Sydney and Mumbai. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema. You can see some of our current projects here.

Your role?

As a Lead Creature TD you will be responsible for the creation of outstanding character and creature simulations using various software technologies. You have experience in leading/mentoring teams and have an understanding of all aspects of Creature TD work in a production pipeline. You will be able to wrangle rigging and creature pipeline issues proficiently under the direction and support of your supervisors.

What will you be doing?

• Advanced hero-creature rigging and enveloping in Maya.

• Set up and run cloth, hair, rigid body, muscle simulations.

• Comprehend and execute direction from Creature Supervisor.

• Oversee the work of entry, mid and senior level Creature TDs and provide day-to-day assistance and guidance at the discretion of the Creature Supervisor.

• Participate as a team member in achieving various aesthetic solutions; provide feedback to other members of the production team by attending dailies on a regular basis.

• Train and mentor new artists as well as provide technical assistance to the show supervisors before and during the production.

• Maintain or exceed a consistent level of productivity while meeting deadlines and producing high quality work.

To be a contributing member of this team, you will have a mix of these skills:

• 5+ years relevant professional experience and a BA in computer graphics, fine arts, design, or photography, or related field; OR, an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• High proficiency in body and facial rigging. Working experience with in-house proprietary modular rigging systems as well as off the shelf Maya rigging tools.

• Deep understanding in anatomy and muscle dynamics. 

• Good eye for aesthetics of body and face deformations.

• High proficiency in cloth, hair, flesh and rigid body simulations, setting up, running, and troubleshooting proprietary cloth, hair, flesh surfaces, and fur/feather simulations.

• Ability to troubleshoot pipeline issues relating to the creature department as well as other disciplines.

• Experience with the look of simulated motions.

• Excellent time management and people management skills.

JoinILM

This position is with Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC, which is part of a business segment we call Industrial Light & Magic.

Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.