Lead Crowd Technical Director

The Lead Crowd TD is responsible for executing the creative and technical direction of a show, ensuring the vision of the VFX Supervisor is met with high-quality, efficient solutions. You will support, mentor and guide artists and solve production roadblocks. In conjunction with the Crowd Supervisor you will contribute to the evolution of crowd tools and workflows, while leading a sequence or a show.,

• Lead and manage a team of crowd artists both technically and artistically ensuring the vision of the show supervisor is met, providing creative feedback at a shot and sequence level
• Lead the direction and development of shot templates and tools. Collaborating with other crowd artists to implement efficient solutions that enable the smooth running of the show
• Gather, edit and maintain the show motion library to meet artistic and technical show requirements, while assisting with the planning and direction of motion capture shoots
• Manage crowd agent setups for the show, collaborating with upstream departments to troubleshoot issues. Set up and maintain agent variation logic to effectively balance diversity and performance
• Manage show setup for small to medium shows
• Mentor crowd artists on Houdini workflows and proprietary pipeline tools, while maintaining comprehensive technical documentation
• Work with Production and Artists to understand and assign tasks, meet the show deadlines and provide shot/sequence feedback
• Identify, troubleshoot and problem solve complex issues throughout the crowd pipeline
• Collaborate and communicate with R&D and Pipeline Engineers in order to implement efficient and effective ways to problem solve issues around the crowd pipeline
• Attend relevant meetings on shots, sequences, and production
• Support with recruitment and staffing of the crowd team
  
  Proven strong experience working on high end VFX or animated feature film productions
• Previous experience in a leadership or mentoring role
• Expert knowledge of Houdini for Crowds
• Extensive understanding of crowd behaviour, including human crowds, swarming insects, combat choreography and animal behaviours
• Strong knowledge of cinematography and composition with a passion for storytelling
• Highly proficient at VEX and Python
• Proficiency with Linux including shell scripting
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to address technical and artistic obstacles
• Excellent leadership, communication and organizational skills, Experience with motion capture retargeting, motion editing, creature simulation including cloth and groom
• Working familiarity with C/C++
  
  Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, serving the motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema., The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney's stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.
This position is with ILM (UK) Ltd., which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic. ILM (UK) Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.