Crowd Artist
Ghost VFX
For over two decades, Ghost VFX has collaborated with the very best to create award-winning, innovative visual effects. With contributions to over 100 feature films, episodic and interactive, we are a full-service, global visual effects house. Our talented and dedicated teams around the world make the impossible, possible, fulfilling the dreams of clients and artists alike. With roughly 150 artists and production professionals, we try every day to produce imagery that quietly speaks for itself.
We are looking for a talented Crowd TD to join our dynamic team! Apply now to join us.
Position Summary
The main focus of the position will be to create crowd simulations for CG scenes to populate cities, large-scale environments, and choreograph large crowd movements.
Responsibilities:
Use Maya/Golaem crowd system to design, create, and implement show specific crowd layouts, QC, and supply to lighting
Manage and organize motion for crowds
Animation and simulations on shots or sequences
Creating show-specific tools and setups to complement the crowd pipeline.
Setting-up / troubleshooting crowd simulations
Setup and run cloth simulations on Crowd
Work with Character Modeling and Rigging to ensure quality and efficiency of crowd assets
Incorporate provided motions into a locomotion set
Work with Animation Supervisor and Director to place crowds in shots ranging from simple vignette scattering to complex behavior and simulation using locomotion networks.
Create a list of needed motions and develop a schedule with the Animation Supervisor
Required Skills:
Advanced knowledge of Houdini Software
Proven experience working on high-end VFX feature-film productions.
Strong crowd and layout skills including asset integration, scene setup, and running simulations
Experience working with motion capture and/or clip-based animation
Strong communication skills
Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines whilst maintaining a high-quality output.
Proficiency in crowd production
Strong team player
Comfort with non-linear thinking
Excellent communication
Proactive, collaborative, and assertive work style
Strong experience shot building in Maya
Knowledge of Golaem, or another crowd software (Massive, Houdini, etc);
Experience using Golaem in production
Animation experience and the ability to create or update motions
Experience retargeting new motions in Motionbuilder for crowd prep or re-use
Preferred Skills:
Passion for creative problem solving
Additional experience in other 3D packages is a plus
Varied skill set including animation, rigging, and character work is a plus
Prior company experience.
Experience working with cloth simulations and Vellum
Working knowledge of VEX and/or Python
Understanding of ‘Maya-to-Houdini’ workflow
A keen eye for how crowds flock and move / behavioral observations
Qualifications:
Minimum 2 years experience in a similar role
Previous experience with the Golaem crowd system is required
Good understanding of physical motion, weight, balance, texture, and form
Demonstrated ability to work with strict deadlines and under pressure
Ability to take direction and find creative solutions during the iterative process
Strong attention to detail
Ability to troubleshoot in 3dsMax
Education:
High School education or equivalent required
BA/BS in applicable field preferred
Ghost VFX is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law.
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