Creature FX Artist - Expression of Interest

Job summary

The Creature FX Artist creates photo-realistic simulations for hair, fur, clothing, and muscles while collaborating with various departments to meet production requirements. They are responsible for developing robust setups, troubleshooting technical issues, and contributing to the continuous improvement of the studio's pipeline.

Job details

Company Description Repeatedly voted one of Montreal’s Top Employers and Employer of the Year for the 2022 Mercuriades Awards, Rodeo FX is a high-end creative company offering services in visual effects, advertising, animation, and experiential. Nominated for multiple Emmy® Awards for its work on the series Stranger Things season 4, Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, the independent, Oscar®-winning company boasts close to 800 artists crafting from studios in Montreal, Québec City, Toronto, Los Angeles and Paris. Rodeo FX is a creative partner to the world’s best storytellers including Netflix, HBO, Disney, Marvel, Amazon Studios, Warner Bros. and Sony, and has collaborated on ads for YouTube, NBC and Apple. Current projects include Dune: Prophecy, Silo Season 2 and Sonic 3. Recently released projects include The Rings of Power Season 2, Venom: The Last Dance, Taika Waitit's Time Bandits, and House of the Dragon Season 2. Job Description The Creature Effects Artist is responsible for creating believable and photo-realistic simulations and deformations for creatures and characters across our projects. Working closely with leads, supervisors, and colleagues from other departments, they develop robust setups for hair, fur, clothing, feathers, muscles, and skin, while meeting creative, technical, and production requirements. They contribute to the quality of final deliverables, the evolution of department tools, and the continuous improvement of the pipeline. Key Responsibilities: Master your the craft Create simulation setups for hair, fur, feathers, fabrics, muscles, skin, and other organic materials, tailored to the specific needs of shots or characters. Launch and adjust simulations based on feedback received during dailies or internal reviews. Perform shot modeling passes to support deformation or simulation. Manage time efficiently by prioritizing tasks according to shot progress and delivery deadlines. Creative quality Develop realistic simulations that are aesthetically consistent with the project’s visual style. Adapt creative approaches to the narrative or technical constraints of each shot. Propose elegant and optimized visual solutions to challenges related to creatures or characters. Technical quality Ensure the robustness, cleanliness, and optimization of created setups. Identify, diagnose, and quickly resolve technical issues related to simulations. Perform rigorous quality control before submitting shots for review. Communication Collaborate closely with other departments (Modeling, Rigging, Animation, Lighting, etc.) to ensure smooth technical exchanges. Maintain proactive communication with production and leads regarding task status, technical challenges, and potential impacts on schedules. Actively participate in shot reviews, dailies, and technical discussions to advance the overall quality of deliverables. Learn, share, and evolve Contribute to the development and documentation of department tools, techniques, and best practices. Adapt to pipeline evolutions, new software features, and innovative methods. Share knowledge and actively collaborate on the continuous improvement of workflows. Qualifications CFX experience in a VFX environment (minimum 2 years recommended). Advanced proficiency in Houdini and the VEX language. Working knowledge of Nuke for presenting work. Experience in shot modeling and creating simulation setups for hair, clothing, muscles, or other deformations. Strong organizational skills, ability to manage priorities, and meet deadlines. Rigor, autonomy, attention to detail, and a collaborative mindset. Asset: Knowledge of Python scripting. Asset: Knowledge of Flow and participation in pipeline or internal tool development. Additional Information Sick/personal days ; Group Insurance, access to Dialogue online support and to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) ; RRSP with employer contribution ; Discounts on public transports, several spas, sports classes, art center, cafes, furniture and several other local businesses. #LI-Hybrid Diversity, Equity and Inclusion At Rodeo FX, diversity is a core value. We’re committed to creating an inclusive, equitable workplace where different perspectives are embraced. Every team member brings unique insight that strengthens our creativity, challenges our thinking, and helps us deliver better work. Use of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment Rodeo FX may use AI-based tools to support certain steps of the recruitment process, such as interview transcription or preliminary application analysis. These tools may be operated by third-party providers, and data may be processed outside Quebec. These tools never replace human decision-making: all final hiring decisions are made by our recruitment team and hiring managers. To learn more about how we protect your personal information and your rights, please consult our Privacy Policy. Apply with LinkedIn If you would like to use the “Apply with LinkedIn” feature to simplify your application, please make sure you accept cookies on the SmartRecruiters application page. This allows the feature to display and function properly. Department: Rodeo FX - 3D

What you’ll do

The Creature FX Artist creates photo-realistic simulations for hair, fur, clothing, and muscles while collaborating with various departments to meet production requirements. They are responsible for developing robust setups, troubleshooting technical issues, and contributing to the continuous improvement of the studio's pipeline.

Requirements

Candidates must have at least two years of experience in a VFX environment with advanced proficiency in Houdini and the VEX language. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage simulation setups for organic materials are essential for this role.

Benefits

• Sick/personal days
• Group Insurance
• Dialogue online support
• Employee Assistance Program
• RRSP with employer contribution
• Discounts on public transports
• Discounts on spas
• Discounts on sports classes
• Discounts on art centers
• Discounts on cafes
• Discounts on furniture

Listed skills

• Python · Preferred
• Pipeline Development · Preferred
• Quality Control · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Houdini
• VEX
• Nuke
• Simulation
• Shot modeling
• Hair simulation
• Fur simulation
• Cloth simulation
• Muscle simulation
• Deformation
• Python
• Flow
• Pipeline development
• Visual effects
• Technical troubleshooting
• Quality control
• Avatar
• Houdini (3D Animation Software)
• Technical Issues
• Workflow Management
• Organizational Skills
• Ability To Meet Deadlines
• Animations
• Decision Making
• Cleanliness
• Textiles
• Communication
• Continuous Improvement Process
• Creativity
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Innovation
• Python (Programming Language)
• Simulations
• Time Management
• Visual Effects
• Rigging
• Scripting
• Advertisement
• Transcribing
• Software Features
• Quality Control
• Detail Oriented

Job areas

• Creative & Media
• Software
• Technology
• Engineering
• FX Artist
• Multimedia Designer / Animator
• Graphic and Multimedia Designers
• Special Effects Artists and Animators

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