Starz Animation, Toronto, one of Canada’s largest 3D Animation Studios, is currently in production on Miramax Film’s major animation movie, “Gnomeo and Juliet”. Directed by Kelly Asbury and with music and lyrics by legendary songwriting team ELTON JOHN & BERNIE TAUPIN, this animated feature will be released in 2011.
Position Description: Scene Prep Artist
For: Gnomeo and Juliet
Reports to Scene Prep Supervisor
Position Description and Requirements:
Scene Prep Artists provide production ready files for the flow through the pipeline to animation, lighting and FX.
Skill Set Overview:
• Solid foundation in Maya
• Mel scripting/batch scripting experience an asset but not required
• Experience working in other areas of production especially lighting, & comp an asset
• Ability to identify and resolve technical problems/issues as it pertains to continuity
• Able to rapidly learn and assimilate new technologies
• Must be able to respect schedules and artistic guidelines.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Willingness to accept direction and be open to changes from animation supervisors
• Ability to work cooperatively within a creative team environment
• Must be detail oriented
Position Description: Animator
For: Gnomeo and Juliet
Reports to Supervising Animator and Head of Animation
Position Description and Requirements:
• Previous study of anatomy, perspective and composition.
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of timing, acting, posing and lip-synch
• Previous work should reflect a strong understanding of character personality, movement and storytelling.
• Expert knowledge of Maya
• Ability to meet tight deadlines
• Demonstrated success at working at Feature level quotas
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to present solutions in order to meet quotas required
• Clear communication style – open and responsive
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, taking direction from the Supervisor and feedback from Directors(s) as necessary.
• Post graduate diploma in classical or 3D Animation
• 5+ years character animation on CG Feature Films
Position Description: Technical Director
For: Gnomeo and Juliet
Reports to Supervisor, Pipeline Architecture
Position Description and Requirements:
The Technical Director is responsible for designing, developing and improving production focused pipeline workflow processes. Technical Directors may also be called on to do shot work when necessary during production.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Design, prototype and implement artist-focused production tools, using Maya, Mentalray, Fusion, Python, MEL, and C++.
Collaborate with Production Management on utilization of production tools and workflow processes.
Troubleshoot production problems, and proactively work to minimize their impact.
Design and execute project work plans to produce known deliverables on a pre-determined timetable.
Be aware of new technologies, techniques, and processes that will benefit studio’s production processes for current and future projects.
Share and present new research, ideas and technology with others in the studio.
Perform shot work/fixes as required during production.
Minimum Qualifications and Abilities:
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent job experience
3+ Years of (CG) Experience, Feature Film experience preferred
Experience working with Maya, Mentalray, MTMR, Fusion, or equivalents.
Experience with WxPython
Experience using various scripting languages - primarily Python, Mel, CShell
Experience in C/C++ or some other object-oriented programming language
Experience with subversion, cvs or another revision control system
Experience designing user interfaces
Excellent troubleshooting/debugging skills
Strong communication skills
Superior time management and prioritization skills
Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision
Flexible and adaptable to change
Coach and mentor junior coworkers as required
Position Description: Lead Lighter/Compositor
For: Gnomeo and Juliet
Reports to Head of Lighting & Compositing
Job Duties:
• Help maintain lighting pipeline/work flow as dictated by project
• Ensure work is of the highest possible quality
• Understand how to properly economize renders while still achieving required quality
• Work closely with the artistic leads to ensure creative direction is achieved
• Be able to work with lighting artists to provide guidance and assist in problem solving
Experience Required:
• Feature Film experience required
• Thorough knowledge of Maya and Mental Ray
• Advanced understanding of lighting and advanced shading networks
• Good balance between artistic and technical skills
• Advanced knowledge of Fusion or similar node based compositing package
• Be able to properly assess appropriate balance of lighting and compositing for a given shot
• Python & UNIX knowledge a plus
• Knowledge of modeling, animation, FX and surfacing a plus
Core Competencies:
• Able to communication effectively to people across all disciplines, and with various levels of experience
• Must be detail oriented and organized, possess strong communication skills, and be able to handle a variety of tasks in an efficient manner.
• Must possess exceptional problem solving skills.
• Works in a collaborative manner and follow direction as required
• Must be a team player and perform well under tight deadlines
If you are interested in applying for a position, please submit a DVD demo reel of your best work and a resume indicating which position you are applying for to:
Recruiting
Starz Animation
230 Richmond Street East
Toronto, Ontario
M5A 1P4
www.starzmedia.com
You can also email online to sat.jobs@starz.com
Reel Guidelines:
Please be sure to clearly label your demo reel with your name, contact information and position applying for. Your reel must include a shot breakdown outlining your specific contribution, as well as the tools used.
Please do not send original materials with your submissions. We are unable to return media or artwork.
Please note: successful applicants must be Canadian citizens or possess landed immigrant status, or be legally entitled to work in Canada.
We thank everyone for their interest in advance, but given the high volume of response we will be unable to reply to everyone in person. No phone calls please.
About the Film
Gnomeo and Juliet -- distributed by Miramax Films -- is an animated picture directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2), produced by Baker Bloodworth, David Furnish, Steve Hamilton-Shaw and with songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Now in production.
About Starz Animation, Toronto
Starz Animation, Toronto, one of Canada’s leading 3D animation studio for breakthrough digital production. Starz Animation, Toronto has gained a reputation for its commitment to excellence in high-end digital animation. By utilizing proprietary software technology, Starz Animation, Toronto, continues to advance its character animation and continually raises the bar in CGI animation production by offering the most high-end technology and visual tools available including; Maya, Inferno, Fusion, Mental Ray, Syflex, Real Flow, and Qube on a variety of platforms. Our artists’ creative skills are showcased in an ever-expanding body of work in feature films, direct-to-video productions, prime time and children’s CG animated series.
As part of Starz Media, Starz Animation, Toronto, has partners in development, production, and distribution of entertainment: Starz Home Entertainment/Anchor Bay, Starz/Encore, Film Roman, Manga and Vongo. As such, Starz Animation, Toronto, has the capability to distribute its programming to consumers however and wherever they want to watch: in theatres, on DVDs, via cable or satellite, on broadcast stations and over the internet in both the domestic and international markets.
Posts
