FX Technical Directors create CG renditions of naturalistic physical or magical phenomena such as fire, water, clouds, smoke, physical destruction, and particulate.
What you'll do:
- 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, Houdini
- Working in partnership with other departments to ensure that shots are delivered to the highest possible standard
- 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. Sometimes FX TDs will be expected to produce final renders too
What we're looking for:
- 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 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
You might also have:
- 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
