Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) is hiring a Look Development Technical Director for our London studio. In this role, you will be responsible for producing high-quality look development and shading for CG assets, working closely with Lighting and CG Supervisors to solve creative challenges and optimize render farm usage.
What You'll Do
- Design and create the look of computer generated objects and scenes.
- Work closely with Lighting Supervisors and CG Supervisors to determine the best approach to solving CG challenges for the final look.
- Create efficient shader setups to optimize render farm usage.
- Manage and maintain standard material libraries using established shading templates for consistency and pipeline efficiency.
- Design, implement, and maintain complex, custom shading networks and materials for high-priority (hero) assets when bespoke solutions are required.
What We're Looking For
- Previous experience creating both hero assets and props in Look Development.
- Demonstrable Lighting and Rendering experience within a VFX environment.
- Proven knowledge of real world materials.
- Proficiency with asset optimisation.
- Comprehensive knowledge of physically based rendering and shader models.
- Ability to work and communicate with texture and groom artists to get the best possible results.
- A strong grasp of geometry formatting, including but not limited to Primvars.
- Ability to build and maintain complex shading networks with artist usability and user-interface support in mind.
- Knowledge of Katana is essential.
- A solid understanding of the fundamentals of neighbouring departments: FX, Texture, Groom, and Lighting.
- Excellent knowledge of Renderman or other unbiased rendering systems.
- Aesthetic eye, anticipates potential problems and uses existing software knowledge to achieve the desired look.
- Can work collaboratively within a team environment.
- Ability to prioritise tasks, manage time well, provide everyone with accurate time estimates on shot task completion.
- A thorough understanding of the VFX pipeline from modelling through animation, texturing, rendering and compositing.
- Ability to pick up new techniques and the ability to learn new software quickly and easily.
Nice to Have
- Houdini and Maya knowledge beneficial.
Technical Stack
- Katana
- Houdini
- Maya
- Renderman
Team & Environment
Reports to Lead or Supervisor.
Work Mode
This is a hybrid position based in London, United Kingdom.
