Lead Generalist Artist

10112313

San Francisco, California, United States

We are looking for a Lead Generalist who reflects the innovative spirit, creative talent, production excellence, collaborative mindset and passion for great filmmaking that define ILM.

Lead Generalists manage a team of artists, and/or a sequence of shots, to ensure that shots are created according to the design and visual style of the project. Generalists create photo-real environments, and exhibit a strong foundation in photo-realistic, traditional, and digital art skills with an emphasis on full cg environments and set extensions. They work with live action footage and digital still photography, create cgi elements and use digital paint to construct environments that are seamlessly integrated into shotwork.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a bridge between the Generalist Supervisor/Production team and artists

• Comprehend feedback and reply to review notes with little Generalist Supervisor direction, and have the ability to guide a team of artists in achieving the Generalist and VFX Supervisor’s vision

• “Own” a scene and help to divide the work into smaller parts for other artists

• Present work on behalf of the team

• Use your experience in decision-making, managing tasks, and allocating shot resources

• Help develop solutions and techniques that meet supervisors aesthetic/technical direction

• Organize and create complex environments, while sharing assets and elements with other departments

• Create high quality environments within a shot using a variety of software programs, and working under the Generalist Supervisor’s guidance, establishing the look of a shot before handing elements to final comp

• Help guide and mentor artists while assisting them with their tasks

• Meet milestones within a timeline, attend dailies and participate in creative problem solving

• Create basic lighting setups in complex shaders that look convincing and render efficiently

What We’re Looking For

Education / Experience:

• 7 years relevant professional experience. BA (or equivalent experience) in computer graphics, fine arts, design, photography or related field.

• Extensive experience in CG environment creation, and experience in partnering with other disciplines in the pipeline

• Prior leadership experience preferred

Required Skills / Competencies:

• Proven ability in one or more CG techniques, including modeling, texturing, shading, lighting, look development, or compositing

• High level of problem solving and creative thinking skills

• Good organizational and communication skills

• Demo reel required

Technical Skills / Competencies:

• Fluent in Photoshop

• Fluent in 3dsmax, Maya and/or Houdini

• Working knowledge of Nuke

• Good working knowledge of specialist tools and plugins like Forestpack, Speedtree, etc.

• Technical comprehension of mainline pipeline

• Demonstrated ability to quickly pick up new software

The hiring range for this position in San Francisco, CA is $148,700 to $190,300 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.