FX Supervisor (Expression of Interest)

About the role

Image Engine, a VFX studio in Vancouver founded in 1995, is seeking an FX Supervisor to support its assigned shows. The role supports the VFX supervisor in meeting client visual requirements and assists the CG supervisor with the technical methodology needed. It also involves leading and managing FX artists and FX Leads (where the FX crew has more than 10 artists) and building relationships with show supervisors and leads. Candidates must be based in British Columbia and eligible to work in Canada.

Key responsibilities

• Assist the CG supervisor and work with the Head of FX (HOD) so that tasks align with studio standards
• Assess the show's FX methodology and FX artist requirements, and maintain consistency of work when managing FX Leads
• Mentor FX Leads and artists, give daily feedback and performance reviews, and help them manage their tasks and technical challenges
• Ensure aesthetic quality control across shows and define and enforce standards and working practices
• Help review and interview candidates for FX roles and maintain documentation
• Work with VFX and CG supervisors to meet the client FX brief, estimate task times and give accurate progress reports
• Resolve conflicts between artists and supervisors, review scope of work and assign tasks by skill, and coordinate with production coordinators to meet delivery targets
• Archive outstanding work that could be reused, attend rounds, dailies, reviews and meetings, and assist with FX breakdowns at the end of a show
• Work with R&D on testing, integration and input for development projects

Required profile

• Minimum 4 years of feature film / TV production experience as an FX artist
• Minimum 2 years of experience as an FX Lead
• Ability to delegate, manage a team of artists and set expectations
• Excellent communication with all departments and with production managers and coordinators

Required skills

• Houdini, including creating HDAs and user support
• VEX and Hscript
• Arnold or another 3D renderer, and compositing
• Common data formats such as VDB and Alembic
• Working knowledge of Nuke

Desirable: higher education in a related field, strong knowledge of Gaffer or other node-based renderers, Python scripting, Linux / Unix scripting, thorough knowledge of Maya, other solvers and simulation tools, and HDK.

What we offer

• Salary of $150,000 to $156,000 per year for a 40-hour week
• Extended healthcare from day 1, premiums 100% covered by Image Engine
• Up to 8 paid Health and Wellness days per year