FX Technical Director (Expression of Interest)

About the role

Framestore, a multi-Oscar-winning creative Film & Episodic studio based in Melbourne, is looking for an FX Technical Director. The role creates CG renditions of naturalistic physical or magical phenomena for high-end films, bringing visual effects to life through simulation, lighting and rendering.

Key responsibilities

• Create particle, rigid-body, fluid, cloth, fur and/or hair simulations or animations
• Apply lighting and shaders to produce the final rendered image, or pass the simulation on to a Lighting Technical Director
• Use commercial and proprietary FX tools including Maya and Houdini
• Work with other departments so that shots meet the highest possible standard
• Determine design solutions, and design images, elements, effects, pipelines, tools and techniques
• Develop procedural solutions to create the required effects
• Produce reviewable composites of all FX elements for a shot, and sometimes final renders

Required profile

• Degree qualification, or at least 5 years of work experience in a similar role
• Additional 2+ years of experience in a similar role
• Experience working on a VFX pipeline
• Good understanding of the entire visual effects process and of animation and motion

Required skills

• Solid knowledge of Maya and Houdini (or other simulation software)
• Understanding of FX simulation and procedural animation techniques
• Experience producing effects such as magic, smoke, fire, clouds, water, steam and explosions, plus rigid-body, cloth and hair simulation
• Familiarity with pipeline issues across multiple packages
• Working knowledge of at least one compositing application (e.g. Nuke) and the compositing process
• Desirable: Python, Vex or Mel scripting; Naiad or Realflow; Arnold or other renderers; C/C++ and Houdini HDK or Maya API; Unix shell scripting