Lead Crowds Artist

General Summary
The Lead Crowds Artist is responsible for the team that is creating crowds of characters and creatures to the visual style and narrative of the film. This position will also be instrumental in developing creative and technical tools, and establishing pipeline related workflows.   

Job Functions 

• Create layouts and crowd performances in scenes and shots that match the style of animation performances and follow the narrative look of the film. 
• Publish crowds using Houdini to specifications needed by layout for downstream utilization. 
• Receiver of the crowd launches in sequences, scenes, and shots; take crowd specific creative input and translate to crowd behavior through performances and overall movement and timing through rules and simulations. 
• Work with animation to get supporting animation performances that can be used effectively in crowd simulations. 
• Collaborate with technical directors to enhance pipeline capabilities and workflows.  
• Perform technical work in support of shot production using various production tools to help troubleshoot and develop creative solutions for complex tasks.  
• Troubleshoot creative and technical issues; find elegant solutions to complex tasks.  
• Partner with other disciplines to support each departments’ integration requirements.  
• Assist with mentoring, training, and development of crowd artist talent.  

Qualifications 

• 5+ years of high-end production experience in television or feature films as a Lead Crowd Artist, Crowd Artist and/or TD. 
• Experience in producing crowd simulations. 
• Proficiency with particle simulations in controlling the motion and look of crowds.  
• Knowledge of applicable software and platforms; Houdini 18.0 (or higher) experience.
• Experience in Houdini Crowd setup and simulation. 
• Working knowledge of Karma rendering, Nuke compositing, and Maya. 
• Working knowledge of Renderman and Katana for lighting effects, a plus. 
• Working knowledge of USD and UsdSkel workflows, a plus.
• Understanding rigging approaches, a plus. 
• Strong communication skills to perform in a collaborative work environment.   

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk; stand; sit; use hands to operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear both in person and by telephone. The employee must lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee works under typical office conditions and is exposed to variable indoor temperatures. The noise level is usually quiet or moderate.  

Location 
On-site in Hillsboro, OR and also eligible for remote work.
Salary 
Salary is commensurate with skills and experience.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

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