Crowds Supervisor - Netflix Animation Studios

Job summary

The Crowds Supervisor leads and mentors a team of artists to oversee character crowds simulations, background performances, and large-scale crowd moments for feature films. They collaborate with show leadership to define visual and technical standards while ensuring crowd work integrates seamlessly into the production pipeline.

Job details

Netflix Animation Studios is on a mission to entertain the world with bold, immersive animated films that are timeless and impactful. We are paving the way for the future of animation by building a community of amazing artists and talent across three vibrant locations globally. Come join us! Job Summary: We are seeking a Crowds Supervisor to support our upcoming feature film. The Crowds Supervisor works inside of NAS to lead the crowds team on a specific film, overseeing character crowds simulations, background performances, and large-scale crowds moments. This role ensures that crowds support the story’s scale, tone, and visual style and are technically robust for downstream departments. What You’ll Do: Depending on the project scope, lead and mentor a team of crowds artists and TDs, which may include assigning work appropriately and providing clear, constructive feedback in dailies and reviews. Collaborate with the VFX Supervisor, Head of Character Effects, Head of Effects, Head of Character Animation, and other show leadership to interpret crowds briefs and define the visual and technical standards for crowds across the show. Supervise crowds work on shots and sequences, ensuring that crowds behaviour, scale, and staging support story clarity, performance, and cinematic composition. Create or refine selected crowds setups, cycles, and/or shots as needed—particularly complex, hero, or reference‑setting work—to help establish the quality bar, style, and technical approach for the team. Collaborate directly with the Animation Supervisor to determine crowds cycle needs, helping to inform requirements and working to maintain cycle standards. Work closely with Assets, Layout, Environments, Effects, CFX, Lighting, and Compositing to ensure crowds integrate seamlessly into shots and support hero action and readability. Help define and refine crowd tools, workflows, and libraries in partnership with Technical Supervisors, crowds TDs, and pipeline teams. Provide input to Production Management and department leadership on crowds complexity and progress to support realistic planning and prioritization. Troubleshoot technical and artistic challenges in crowds work, collaborating on solutions that maintain quality while meeting schedule needs. Help foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative team culture where artists and TDs can do their best work. What You’ll Need: Significant experience in crowds or character effects work for feature animation, VFX, or high‑end series, including time in a Lead or Supervisory role. A strong reel demonstrating high-quality crowds systems and simulations, and their integration into complex sequences. Proficiency with crowds and simulation tools such as Houdini (and/or proprietary crowds systems), with familiarity in other DCCs, e.g., Maya, Golaem or Massive is a plus. Strong understanding of how crowd work interacts with Animation, Layout, Environments, FX, CFX, Lighting, and Compositing within a production pipeline. Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to give clear, constructive feedback and collaborate effectively across departments. Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills. This role is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Hybrid Role (Minimum of 3 days a week in the office). At NAS, we carefully consider a wide range of compensation factors to determine your compensation. We rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, location, skills, and experience. The overall market range for this role is typically $188k - 228k CAD. This reflects total compensation; we do not have stock options. Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner. We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

What you’ll do

The Crowds Supervisor leads and mentors a team of artists to oversee character crowds simulations, background performances, and large-scale crowd moments for feature films. They collaborate with show leadership to define visual and technical standards while ensuring crowd work integrates seamlessly into the production pipeline.

Requirements

Candidates must have significant experience in crowds or character effects for feature animation or VFX, including time in a supervisory role. Proficiency with Houdini and other crowd simulation tools is required, along with strong communication and leadership abilities.

Listed skills

• Problem solving · Preferred
• Leadership · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Crowds simulation
• Character effects
• Houdini
• Maya
• Golaem
• Massive
• Leadership
• Mentoring
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• VFX
• Animation pipeline
• Technical direction
• Cinematic composition
• Storytelling
• Inventory Staging
• Houdini (3D Animation Software)
• Project Scoping
• Constructive Feedback
• Workflow Management
• Visual Composition
• Paving
• Planning
• Animations
• Character Animation
• Feature Films
• Autodesk Maya
• Production Management
• Simulations
• Technical Standard
• Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)
• Visual Effects
• Prioritization
• Compositing

Job areas

• Creative & Media
• Technology
• Software
• Management & Leadership
• Engineering
• Animation Supervisor
• Entertainment / Recreation Supervisor
• Sports, Recreation and Cultural Centre Managers
• First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services

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