Description

The Senior Layout Artist is responsible for independently creating camera moves and rough blocking animation within a digital environment. Senior Layout Artists work closely with the Animation Director and Visual Effects Supervisor to establish composition, timing, and continuity for each shot. May be required to work with live-action plates or in a CG layout environment.

Senior Layout Artists act as a central hub for all shot preparation to ensure continuity and camera accuracy in CG Elements. While matchmoving is one requirement of the position, Senior Layout Artists may perform tasks outside of matchmoving including CG layout, modeling set geometry, photomodeling, lidar solves, previz, and basic lighting & compositing.

Primary Responsibilities

• Independently performs complex matchmove tasks such as camera tracking, character matching (match-anim), solving lens distortion, deformation matching of surfaces, solving native stereo plates.
• Responsible for multi-plate splicing and stitching, adding creative plate post-moves, creative stereo (i.e. Technical layout).
• Responsible for Previz, postviz and techviz (prep for location shooting or ride development); Process inbound/outbound moco data.
• Photomodels, performs environment/scene setup verifying correct assets are being used, edit ranges are correct, and generating initial data for downstream artists including animation/TDs/comp, lidar processing, set dressing (i.e. Scene setup)
• Creates creative camera work for non-plate shots and camera takeover shots with minimal guidance; originate entirely CG camera animation (i.e. CG camera work)
• Solve facial animation from face cams (i.e. face-capture)
• Independently set up the technical and aesthetic approaches of the matchmove work for a shot, sequence, or an entire aspect of a show.
• Convert background plates to various formats to use with specific software to create digital motion files that match the plate photography; animate any live action character or relative object in the scene.
• Model the set geometry used to create the matchmove and environment for Animators and Technical Directors.
• Light, render and composite files with the background to judge the move.
• Mentor Junior Layout Artists
• Special projects as needed

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent related experience as an artist, Animator, or camera operator.

Required Skills / Competencies

• Ability to reproduce exact camera moves within a computer environment.
• Good written and oral communication skills including strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem solving skills including the ability to work under tight deadlines.
• Location and/or Stage experience including matchmove set ups; data wrangling; hdr/digimatte/texture/pmodel photography; lidar scanning; lens grid filming; on-stage (real-time) camera capture/assistance.
• Knowledge of Nuke is a plus.

Technical Skills

• Advanced understanding of Linux, Maya, 3dEqualizer (or other tracking software) required.
• Understanding of photography and the effects of different lenses on perspective.

This position is with Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC, which is part of a business segment we call Industrial Light & Magic. Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.