Environment Surfacing Lead Artist

Skydance offers a dynamic, inclusive, and ever-evolving culture where innovative ideas are welcomed, and growth fostered. The partnership between unique creativity and technological advancements are demonstrated within each pillar of the company. At the heart of it all is a commitment to boldly entertaining and relevant storytelling.

While all Animation studios look to hire people who are creative and hard-working, Skydance Animation is specifically looking for pioneers who seek to push the limits of what the world’s most collaborative art form can achieve, and to give those pioneers the space and the resources to build a new studio that’s doing something different.

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As an Environment Surfacing Lead, you will be leading a team of surfacing artists to ensure the quality and deadlines are met. You will be responsible for briefing the team, communicating notes and implementing the look of the show in the department, being the link between the Supervisor and the team. You will work with the Production team, Production Designer, Art Director and Environment Supervisor to create the desired look for the environments and props that may reflect any of a wide variety of styles. You will contribute to the creation of materials, textures, and surface aesthetics (both stylized and realistic) using modern workflows based on USD, Substance Painter/Designer, Houdini, RenderMan, and RizomUV.

• Takes and receives direction from the Supervisor and provides feedback for the team and reviewing artist’s work.
• Is an expert on all things relating to surfacing, texturing, and optimizing Assets.
• Works with the Director and Supervisor to elevate the quality to the next level.
• Evaluates the surfacing artists’ work first, making sure all the assets follow the quality standards and artistic direction.
• Creates textures using photography, pre‑existing materials, and/or procedural sources.
• Paints stylized textures from concepts following the look of the show.
• Develops procedural materials, filters, and generators in Substance Designer for use in Painter or the broader pipeline.
• Produces both stylized painted textures and high‑end photorealistic textures.
• Understands and translates the vision of the Production Designer into the look of the movie.
• Keeps up on current artistic methodologies and on technology trends and tools that best suit the production and the company in the development of a stronger creative and technical environment.
• Provides tech support to the team for troubleshooting and following up on tickets
• Provides shading support to the Lighting and FX teams throughout production.
• Shows a proactive approach to learning new skills and tools.
• Works together with the team providing them with support, guidance and instruction in areas that contribute towards their artistic and professional growth.
• Follows the Supervisor’s guidance.
• Acts as the link between input and output departments (Modeling, Set Dressing, Rigging, Lighting, FX, Compositing).
• Proposes solutions to technical problems, defining the best ways to proceed.
• Has organizational skills as time management, prioritization and delegation
• Has communication skills as active listening, clarity, empathy and transparency.
• 6+ years in VFX or animation industries.
• 1+ experience in animation industry.
• Strong artistic or/and technical aptitude related to 3D animation is a must.
• Expert on all things relating to shading, texturing, and optimizing assets.
• Possesses deep knowledge of creating UVs.
• Knowledge of skinning, rigging, lighting and optimization
• Strong artistic or/and technical aptitude related to 3D animation.
• Experience in Mari, Maya, Substance Designer, Arnold Render. High English level.
• Spanish desirable.

#Animation #LI-Hybrid

Skydance is a diversified media company founded by David Ellison in 2010 to create high quality, event-level entertainment for global audiences. The Company brings to life stories of immersive worlds across its feature film, television, interactive, and animation divisions.

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- 6+ years in VFX or animation industries. - 1+ experience in animation industry. - Strong artistic or/and technical aptitude related to 3D animation is a must. - Expert on all things relating to shading, texturing, and optimizing assets. - Possesses deep knowledge of creating UVs. - Knowledge of skinning, rigging, lighting and optimization. - Experience in Mari, Maya, Substance Designer, Arnold Render. - High English level. - Spanish desirable.