FX Technical Director

The FX TD at CoSA VFX works to create photoreal FX for immediate feedback from CG Supervisors, VFX Supervisors, FX Supervisors and Clients. This role is a key component and ensures the latest and greatest FX visuals for on-set decision making. Top-level FX skills, collaboration within a team, and creative problem-solving are a must.

Key Responsibilities:
Develop FX and simulation pipeline tools to meet production requests, ensuring it is consistent with department standards as requested by show and technical supervisors

Help to maintain a wide array of existing workflows and scripts

Provide support to FX Artists, troubleshoot assets and shots, and help artists with general problem solving

Be able to work with the Head of CG, FX Supervisor and Head of Pipeline to determine the best possible technical and creative approaches to ensure timely completion of effects.

Create and communicate documentation about developed tools and train other users to use the developed tools

Take ownership of a wide range of VFX (fire, smoke, magic, electricity, explosions, etc.) using various techniques in Houdini.

Serve as an active participant in team art discussions, critiques, and reviews.

Research and collect reference to help guide the look of VFX.

Work within the established art styles of our wide-range of Episodic TV.

Experience:
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in film, cinematics, games, or equivalent education/work experience

Requirements:
Proven production experience crafting eye-catching FX using Houdini on multiple high-end VFX Episodic or Feature Films

Proven experience in producing effects such as smoke, fire, clouds, water, steam and explosions, plus experience with particle and voxel based rendering

Ability to develop testable, efficient and reusable custom pipeline tools to create particle, rigid body, fluid, cloth, fur and hair simulations

Python and Hscript knowledge. VEX Scripts and C++ programming experience a plus

Ability to adapt to various art styles and willingness to lean new skills and techniques

Excellent organizational, communication and documentation skills

Ability to multi-task, set priorities and problem solve

Team Player with an openness for collaboration

Calm under pressure and production deadlines

Pluses:
Experience creating procedural shaders using various shader languages.

Ability to build FX concept art.

Compositing experience with Nuke.

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent degree in Computer Science, Visualization or Animation