• Interview, select and train Production Managers
• Engage in the performance management process such as performance reviews, daily feedback, and mentoring for direct reports (2-5 people)
• Administer VFX productions internally and with the client(s)
• Manage workflow to balance production schedule and employee resources
• Manage the production schedule with the VFX Supervisor to ensure the right balance between time spent & quality of shots
• Maintain the ‘bid’ in coordination with the VFX Executive Producer
• Represents the company externally and internally
• Work closely with VFX Supervisor and/or CG Supervisor(s)/ Sequence Supervisor(s) to:
  • Hold team dailies
  • Perform rounds at artists desks
  • Provide schedule visibility to the team and the executives
  • Help the supervisors ‘sell’ the shots to the clients(s)
  • Help manage resources: renderfarm, licenses, R&D, etc.
  • Discipline the artists on a day-to-day basis to maintain a high standard of work within the deadlines
  • Bid shots with help from the VFX Supervisor and the team and present to the VFX Executive Producer to review
• Communicate with external vendors for outsourcing purposes
• Manage, mentor and empower Production Managers in their respective areas
• Use time management skills to schedule meetings and tasks effectively
• Manage time and resources to meet weekly targets
• Other duties and responsibilities consistent with your position may be assigned to you from time to time

Technical skills

• Ability to train and coach production staff
• 5+ year’s credited work experience as a VFX Producer on major feature films
• Experience on a large (300+ shots) multi-vendor production
• Supervisory experience is an asset
• Excellent client and crew management skills
• Thorough understanding of live-action and CG based VFX workflows
• Proven ability to manage high revenue budgets
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (specifically Excel)
• Existing industry contacts
• Experience with Shotgun database
• Production-side experience a bonus
• Outsource experience not required, but definitely preferred

Core skills

• Highly organized, first-class time/project management skills
• Excellent client and crew management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Capable of motivating and leading a large team, with enthusiasm and clarity
• Ability to stay calm under pressure
• Excellent time management skills

• Ensure the highest level of productivity of the artists and make sure that they are aware of upcoming deliverables and schedules
• Use time management skills to schedule meetings and tasks effectively
• Organize internal dailies and remote sessions
• Take and distribute detailed meeting notes from supervisors or clients
• Work with the Production Manager and Supervisors to adhere to schedule and keep schedules and artists on track during all productions
• Track the status of all shots in the pipeline, maintaining an accurate and up-to-date database and shotlist/asset management
• Communicate successes and challenges faced by the team to the Production Manager, providing updates on team morale every month
• Ensure artists have the information and materials required to complete their work efficiently and effectively
• Facilitate communication between all departments
• Follow up on any outstanding issues or concerns that may arise during a Production
• Ensure all email correspondence and scheduling is up to date, responding to emails in a timely manner
• Work with the Supervisors and artists to manage render priorities
• Make sure Production documentation for both projects and the facility is kept up to date. Provide training documentation for new Production staff
• Be professional internally and externally at all times

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• 3-5 years of solid production experience coordinating feature film
• Must be an expert project coordinator/scheduler
• Must be extremely knowledgeable in database management. Past Shotgun experience is a plus
• Proven experience identifying and providing solutions to production issues

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Technical skills

• Expert level MS Excel skills
• MS Project and Filemaker knowledge is an asset
• Shotgun experience is an asset
• Ability to train and mentor Coordinators
• Understanding of the production pipeline

Core skills

• Must be able to multi-task and maintain a positive attitude when working under pressure
• Highly organized, able to transform detail-oriented work into action
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Capable of motivating and leading a large team, with enthusiasm and clarity
• Ability to stay calm under pressure
• Excellent time management skills
• Absolute fascination and dedication to post-production work is essential

• Act as the primary technical leadership on the project
• Manage the techniques used to generate and edit CG elements from asset creation to final composition
• Work with Production to determine what information may be required from clients to ensure a smooth show setup and execution
• Determines technical approaches needed to achieve desired look and behaviours of the production’s assets within agreed technical pipeline
• Work with R&D and Production to define future direction of technology development at Sophoria.
• Work with pipeline to write, edit, install, and maintain show-specific configuration files and scripts. (Outputs configuration – dailies, videouts, color pipeline etc.)
• Identifies, defines, prioritizes and oversees the implementation of tools that automate production tasks
• Set up Workflow Templates (WFTs) at the show level
• Provide references, recommendations or technical solutions for effective task completion
• Review scope of work and assign tasks based on artist skills/abilities
• Utilize effective communication skills to receive client notes and deliver instructions/feedback to the VFX Supervisor and artists
• Assist the team in debugging problematic shots and assist in optimizing shots for efficiency
• Evaluate artist workflow with an eye on improving productivity and automating processes
• Deliver final shots that are creatively and technically excellent
• Be actively involved in mentoring juniors throughout productions
• Builds consensus among technology, creative and production management to create efficiencies
• Serves as key technical expert on productions

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 5 years CG experience in high-end film
• 2 years of experience as a Supervisor
• Is a proven leader in setting direction for a production and for inspiring and motivating production staff
• Demonstrated experience teaching/mentoring co-workers and assume leadership role
• Assess and optimize render performance to make optimal use of available renderfarm allocations

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Technical skills

• Strong ability in defining a cg strategy for a show considering team and time at disposal
• Ability to lead and coach your various department leads about said cg technique and approach
• Expert knowledge of Arnold or of a similar physically-based renderer
• Proven experience with Maya and Nuke
• Experience with programming/scripting languages (such as python, etc.) is a plus
• Strong aptitude for technical workflow challenges such as directory structure, file formats, naming conventions, scripts, automation tools, automated dailies, etc.
• Thorough understanding of a linear color-space workflow
• Excellent eye for detail for quality control

Core skills

• Strong leadership skills. Both in spoken and written form
• Ability to complete bids; determine the timeframe and scope required for each brief
• Ability to interface with Production staff about scheduling or resources challenges
• Ability to troubleshoot and deal with competing priorities. Able to delegate as well
• Capable of managing a full team of artists and technologists; setting high expectations, and encouraging and supporting the staff when in needs
• Ability to assess Sophoria resources and talent pool to ensure workflow can be completed
• Excellent time management and communication skills
• Excellent problem solver who can focus on detail, while maintaining the whole picture

• Understand the entire production process and approving the work of all crew on the show.
• Verify technical solutions proposed by team members.
• Work closely with film director to develop and interpret their creative vision.
• Brief entire crew on the director’s creative vision and enable artists to produce desired results.
• Communicate with external production companies.
• Coordinate the management of a show and project schedules to ensure that work is delivered to deadlines.
• Manage teams.

Technical skills

• Solid knowledge of Maya, Mari, and Nuke.
• Solid previous experience as CG/2D Supervisor and most recently VFX Supervisor experience on 2 or 3 major projects.
• Creative eye and aesthetic judgment with a deep understanding of composition, cinematic design and animation timing
• Must have an understanding of Directing/Lighting/Camera work/Practical Effects/Camera Gripping/Art Department/Production Design and Props
• Excellent understanding of composition, light and color with strong attention to detail
• On-set supervision experience is a plus
• Ability to meet strict deadlines often under pressure
• Excellent communication, organization skills and financial and budget management skills
• A thorough understanding of the CG & 2D principles and pipeline
• Proven team leader with strong motivational qualities
• Highly organized
• 5+ year’s credited work experience as a VFX Supervisor on major feature films
• Experience on a large (300+ shots) multi-vendor production
• Excellent client and crew management skills
• Thorough understanding of live-action and CG based VFX workflows
• Existing industry contacts
• Experience with Shotgun database a bonus
• Production-side experience a bonus
• Outsource experience not required, but definitely preferred

Core skills

• Highly organized, first-class time/project management skills
• Excellent client and crew management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Capable of motivating and leading a large team, with enthusiasm and clarity
• Ability to stay calm under pressure
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to handle and give feedback to multiple individuals in different areas of practice during dailies.
• Manage dailies and provide feedback to artists based on clients notes

• Create high quality models and UVs for use in production; implement improvements/changes based on review feedback and Supervisor/Lead direction
• Design and implement high level conceptual to practical modeling
• Proactively recommend ongoing pipeline improvements; Identifies potential issues and provides solutions, and escalates as needed
• Maintain positive relationship with all stakeholder departments; attend meetings as needed
• Work within the defined pipeline
• Ensure continuity and support other asset departments such as texture, lookdev, Generalists and rigging
• Complete assigned tasks in a timely manner

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum three (3) years of VFX experience modeling photorealistic assets for live action feature films
• Expert in Maya; could teach a class on how to use it and trouble shoot
• Excellent knowledge of Zbrush and/or Mudbox. Mari knowledge (a plus)
• Excellent technical trouble shooting skills and problem solving abilities
• Demonstrated ability to take design from ambiguous to full design implementation
• Strong understanding of rigging process and displacement map work flow
• Experience working on creatures, digi doubles, topology and blend shapes (preferred)
• Eye for detail and able to QA own work to ensure highest quality before handing off assets
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills; experience working under tight deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Team player who is able to work independently with minimal supervision

• Creates visually striking composition based on shot description and/or storyboard
• Matches references such as previs and/or images
• Supplement shots with simple but convincing animation, lighting and FX to aid story-telling
• Stitches plate-based shots into a full CG environment and vice versa
• Assembles the correct combination of assets in a shot for use in downstream departments
• Includes proof of scale and continuity in a virtual layout set up
• Debugs technical problems and escalate issues as needed
• Takes directions and applies notes from supervisors

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Three (3) to five (5) years of layout experience in visual effects for feature film or television (required)
• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in the field of arts, film and/or animation (preferred)
• Advanced software skills in Maya (required)
• Basic to Intermediate skills in 3ds Max, Photoshop, Shotgun, Nuke and Scripting (preferred)
• Extensive skillset in camera animation, staging and set dressing
• Great sense of presentation via lighting, texturing and/or FX
• Solid animation grounding for story-telling purposes
• Background or experience in traditional Fine Arts demonstrating a thorough understanding of framing and composition
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; a team player with great attitude
• Great eye for detail with excellent and consistent quality assurance
• Strong troubleshooting and problem solving skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Creates a wide variety of realistic effects, including but not limited to destruction, smoke, fire, and water
• Works under the guidance of multiple supervisors to achieve the desired level of aesthetic quality and technical accuracy, often exploring different approaches and looks
• Works with the FX leads to produce various elements using presets and templates, and to expand and improve upon these templates
• Revises simulations based on client and supervisor feedback in a timely manner
• Coordinates with the lighting department to ensure seamless integration of FX elements
• Works within the established pipeline and offer constructive suggestions to improve the process
• Helps develop and explore new ways to enhance results
• Helps team debug issues and learn new methods

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Previous experience in live action visual effects for feature films or high level television
• Creative ability and artistic talent, demonstrated by previous work
• Knowledge of Houdini and/or 3ds Max (required)
• Strong experience in creating a wide variety of simulations (destruction, atmospheric, fluid, supernatural, etc.)
• Understanding of physics, realistic motion, and assorted natural phenomena on different scales
• Exceptional technical skills, the ability to learn new software quickly, and a keenness to stay on the leading edge
• Strong willingness to grow, learn new methods and share knowledge with others
• Ability to work and solve technical issues independently
• Ability to take direction positively, work well within a team and thrives under the pressure of tight deadlines
• Excellent communication skills and an open mind
• Team player able to work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment
• Compositing and scripting experience is a plus
• Flowline experience is highly desirable

• Apply lighting rig and HDRI setup to scenes
• Adjusting shaders and lighting levels to add realism and match CG elements to live action plates while maintaining consistency across shots.
• Work with texture artists, animators and shader writers to resolve technical issues and optimise scenes for render. Work closely with compositors to ensure all required passes and layers are supplied.
• Maintain the required standard of work, using the established pipeline for the sequence.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and management, keeping them appraised of shot progress, technical issues and recommended solutions.
• Liaising with the show supervisor and producer, on a daily basis, for feedback and allocation of work
• Accurately manage your workload and inform the production when some tasks are more complex than expected or when it takes longer to complete so the schedule can be updated.
• Experience on high-end productions (feature films/commercials/TV)
• Production experience with Maya and/or Houdini and/or Clarisse /Vray
• Showreel demonstrating experience in shot lighting and rendering on high quality productions
• Experience troubleshooting pipeline issues
• Experience using production quality renderers (e.g. Mantra, Renderman, Clarisse, Arnold, VRay…)

Nice to have

• High end live-action VFX production experience, producing photoreal work
• Production experience using Clarisse and/or Katana and/or Houdini
• Basic compositing experience, using Nuke or equivalent
• A broad Generalist TD background

About you

• Passionate about film
• Pro-active
• Technically adept
• Team oriented
• Adaptable
• Able to take direction

• Creates a wide variety of realistic effects, including but not limited to destruction, smoke, fire, and water
• Works under the guidance of multiple supervisors to achieve the desired level of aesthetic quality and technical accuracy, often exploring different approaches and looks
• Works with the FX leads to produce various elements using presets and templates, and to expand and improve upon these templates
• Revises simulations based on client and supervisor feedback in a timely manner
• Coordinates with the lighting department to ensure seamless integration of FX elements
• Works within the established pipeline and offer constructive suggestions to improve the process
• Helps develop and explore new ways to enhance results
• Helps team debug issues and learn new methods

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Minimum five (5) years of live action visual effects experience building, debugging, and supporting complex effects setups
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in scripted tools development
• Knowledge of Houdini and/or 3ds Max/Maya (required)
• Knowledge of C++ and Python
• Knowledge of Mel
• Creative ability and artistic talent, demonstrated by previous work
• Strong experience in creating a wide variety of simulations (destruction, atmospheric, fluid, supernatural, etc.)
• Understanding of physics, realistic motion, and assorted natural phenomena on different scales
• Exceptional technical skills, the ability to learn new software quickly, and a keenness to stay on the leading edge
• Ability to work and solve technical issues independently
• Ability to take direction positively, work well within a team and thrives under the pressure of tight deadlines
• Excellent communication skills and an open mind
• Team player able to work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment
• Compositing and scripting experience is a plus

• Have the ability to work well under pressure
• Works under the guidance of multiple supervisors to achieve the desired level of aesthetic quality and technical accuracy, often exploring different approaches and looks
• Extensive experience in grooming both in Maya and Houdini
• Revises simulations based on client and supervisor feedback in a timely manner
• Coordinates with the lighting department to ensure seamless integration of FX elements
• Works within the established pipeline and offer constructive suggestions to improve the process
• Helps develop and explore new ways to enhance results
• Helps team debug issues and learn new methods

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Minimum five (5) years of live action visual effects experience building, debugging, and supporting complex grooming setups
• Knowledge of Houdini and/or 3ds Max/Maya (required)
• Creative ability and artistic talent, demonstrated by previous work
• Understanding of physics, realistic motion, and assorted natural phenomena on different scales
• Ability to work and solve technical issues independently
• Ability to take direction positively, work well within a team and thrives under the pressure of tight deadlines
• Excellent communication skills and an open mind
• Team player able to work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment
• Compositing and scripting experience is a plus but not too important