MPC Vancouver: Environment TD

Position Summary:

The Environment Technical Directors are responsible for designing and constructing environment scenes, that match the photographic quality of the plates they are dealing with. They must have a proactive approach and a broad technical and artistic knowledge that allows them to manage and develop a shot from an early stage to the the final renders, understanding and supporting the Digital Matte Painters and the Compositors that they might work with. Although their main duties are related with the technical set-up of the shots, they have to be able to proficiently use Photoshop in order to manipulate the provided plates and photo references, creating the final images that need to be projected onto the geometry.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Identify the best approach for the given task in terms of: aesthetic quality, flexibility, efficiency and usability
  • Construct and release environment scenes based on the approaches agreed with the Lead Environment TD
  • Create and render environments
  • UV/camera projection set up
  • Modelling, lighting and shading
  • Check and release the renders, or the Nuke scripts for the comp department to gather
  • Regularly release dailies so that progress on a shot can be assessed
  • Attend dailies sessions and obtain feedback from supervisors
  • Report any day-to-day problems or concerns to the Lead Environment TD on the show and any software issues to the appropriate support team
  • Work with the Environment HOD to improve the feature set and stability of our tool set
  • Improve his or her knowledge and understanding of MPC’s environment tool set and pipeline
  • Adequately document environment practical methods, and ensure that documentation is available centrally for use by the Environment Department as a whole

Requirements:

  • At least 3 years experience in Generalist/Environment work, either in commercials, TV or features.
  • Basic understanding of Renderman compliant renders and LINUX
  • Autodesk Maya: Basic knowledge of hard surface modelling and general software interface, with a deep understanding of UV texturing and camera mapping techniques
  • Proficiency with Adobe Photoshop
  • Good knowledge of Nuke (or any other node based compositing software)
  • Excellent understanding and ability to manage composition, colour and lighting
  • Capacity to work collaboratively with other Technical Directors, Matte Painters and Compositors
  • Excellent learning and communication skills
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle complex projects within a fast paced, dynamic, deadline driven environment, according to leads and supervisors expectations
  • Creative problem solving
  • Proactive and open to comments and critics approach
  • Mel or Python scripting is a plus

Details:

  • Location: Vancouver, Canada
  • Start Date: Immediate and through 2011
  • Duration: Project based

If this position sounds of interest then please get in touch, sending your reel and resume to: vancouver-jobs@moving-picture.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

MPC Vancouver: Digital Matte Painter

Position Summary:

With an emphasis on the aesthetics and techniques of photorealistic image creation, the DMP artist will be responsible for painting photo real environments, elements and textures for matching into live action plates or to stand on their own as DMP plates. These digital matte paintings may also be used in a 3D environment and may be mapped onto 3D objects. These will eventually be rendered through a variety of off the shelf and proprietary renderers. DMPs can be created from scratch or sampled from photos, scanned reference or any other artwork necessary to create new objects or to match the surfaces of existing live action. A strong understanding and sympathy for real world materials and lighting is essential and must be demonstrated in the work on your reel. DMP artists may work closely with the Modelling and Shading artists and therefore must have a basic knowledge of the practices of each discipline.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Ability to demonstrate proficiency in creating photo-realistic DMPs required
  • Assisting and developing the look of a shot or sequence with the supervision team
  • Work alongside the production team to establish schedules and technical requirements
  • Works in partnership with shader developer’s, lighters and compositors to ensure shots are delivered to the very highest standard

Requirements:

  • Proven experience in feature film/broadcast visual effects production
  • Thorough working knowledge of Photoshop, with a basic understanding of Maya and Renderman
  • Strong artistic skills
  • A traditional arts background with an emphasis on photo-realistic work and environments would be an advantage
  • A good understanding of the entire visual effects process is also needed

Details:

  • Location: Vancouver, Canada
  • Start Date: Immediate and through 2011
  • Duration: Project based

If this position sounds of interest then please get in touch, sending your reel and resume to: vancouver-jobs@moving-picture.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

MPC Vancouver: Matchmove TD

Position Summary:

The Matchmove TD is responsible for reproducing the geometry, camera movement and object movement of a live action shot in a 3D environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Supervise the tracking of CG elements, both camera and objects to match live-action footage in a 3D environment and to maintain consistent shot quality
  • Work with production to create matchmove schedules and project targets for your show
  • Work to define any specific matchmove tools required for the show and identify any additions or modifications to our existing toolset required to realise this pipeline
  • Monitor daily progress to ensure targets are being met, adjusting the pipeline and schedules as necessary
  • Act as the point of contact for show supervisors
  • Conform any Lidar scans, Survey Data or matchmove specific geometry prior to starting a sequence

Requirements:

  • Must have thorough knowledge of software based object tracking and 3D rotoscoping of a digital model to a live action background
  • Proven Matchmove experience in a large feature-film VFX production environment
  • Must be proficient in: 3D Equalizer, Maya and Boujou
  • Knowlege of Nuke an advantage
  • Experience with other tracking software (eg Matchmover) taken into account
  • Must be able to model and manipulate geometry for scene reconstruction and to aid tracking
  • Candidates should demonstrate a good eye for detail and precision with strong problem-solving skills
  • Must have a solid understanding of camera moves and filming techniques
  • Excellent communication skills
  • General understanding of linux/unix-based operating systems
  • On set experience an advantage

Details:

  • Location: Vancouver, Canada
  • Start Date: Immediate and into 2011
  • Duration: Project based

If this position sounds of interest then please get in touch, sending your reel and resume to: vancouver-jobs@moving-picture.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

MPC Vancouver: Layout TD

Position Summary:

The Layout TD produces previs, post-vis, camera and character blocking, to build editorially sound sequences which subsequent CG departments use as the foundation for shot construction.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • To work with the VFX supervisors, clients and editors in the creative process of visual narrative
  • To work with a team of Layout TDs from to lock timing, continuity and shot content on various complex sequences across the whole film

Requirements:

  • Must have strong well rounded knowledge and interest in the film making process: cameras, formats, cranes, rigs, shot composition, shot types and combinations and narrative etc.
  • A solid understanding of all parts of a standard CG production pipeline: modeling, keyframe animation, procedural animation, particle systems, lighting, shaders, rendering, and compositing
  • Character/creature animation experience is a plus
  • A good general working knowledge of Maya and Nuke
  • The maturity to be able to communicate directly with clients and understand their requirements

Details:

  • Location: Vancouver, Canada
  • Start Date: Immediate and into 2011
  • Duration: Project based

If this position sounds of interest then please get in touch, sending your reel and resume to: vancouver-jobs@moving-picture.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

Prman in NukeX 6.2 LNX-64

Hi guys,

I install NukeX 6.2 for linux-64 and wants to use Prman, so i install RenderManProServer-13.5.2 for LNX-64 and set the env variable step by step in it’s Manual , but i’m getting below error when I want to use Prman.:(

The RMANTREE environment variable is not set.

please help me to use this grate tools of nukex

Thanks

MPC Vancouver: Compositor

Position Summary:

MPC Vancouver are looking for experienced film VFX Compositors to join our team in 2011.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Tackling the compositing of shots effectively
  • Briefing junior compositors when the dividing of shots into tasks (e.g. roto-scoping) is required
  • Delivering final shots that are creatively and technically excellent

Requirements:

  • Experience with Nuke
  • Good understanding of photography and film, and how the interactions of light, lenses and film emulsions make up the image
  • Some understanding of the whole digital film pipeline, from scanner to film recorder
  • Ability to take direction and structure working practice so that design changes can be efficiently made
  • Desire to learn from others and to take on increasingly challenging shots

Details:

  • Location: Vancouver, Canada
  • Start Date: Immediate and into 2011
  • Duration: Project based

If this position sounds of interest then please get in touch, sending your reel and resume to: vancouver-jobs@moving-picture.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

MPC Vancouver: Rendering Technical Assistant

Position Summary:

As a Rendering Technical Assistant you would work to oversee activity on the render farm, assist artists with render issues and control the priority of work on the farm. The Rendering Technical Assistant is responsible for managing the resources for the current roster of shows, monitoring of renders and image processes, and some data management

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Render queue management
  • Quality control of images, error checking and troubleshooting a wide variety of technical problems
  • Communication with Digital, Feature Production, Data-ops, Data Wranglers, Systems and Render Engineer departments
  • Creating reports for night rendering
  • Disk resource management.
  • Scripting tools to automate common tasks and improve work flow

Requirements:

  • An interest in developing skills and progressing within VFX
  • Ability to learn quickly and think on your feet is essential
  • Good communication and team working skills
  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Ability to use initiative and prioritise work loads
  • Problem solving

Details:

  • Location: Vancouver, Canada
  • Start Date: Immediate
  • Duration: 6-12 months

If this position sounds of interest then please get in touch, sending your resume to: vancouver-jobs@moving-picture.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

MPC Vancouver: Texturing TD

Position Summary:

With an emphasis on the aesthetics and techniques of photo-realistic effects, the Texturing TD will be responsible for painting photo-real textures and relevant maps for other surface effects to be mapped to 3D objects. These will eventually be rendered through a variety of off the shelf and proprietary renderers. Textures can be created from scratch or sampled from photos, scanned reference or any other artwork necessary to create new objects or to match the surfaces of existing live action. A strong understanding and sympathy for real world materials is essential and must be demonstrated in the work on your reel. Texturing TDs work closely with the Modelling and Shading artists and therefore must have a thorough knowledge of the practices of each discipline.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Ability to demonstrate proficiency in creating photo-realistic textures
  • Develop the look of the sequences with the supervision team
  • Work in partnership with Lighters and Compositors to ensure shots are delivered to the very highest standard

Requirements:

  • Strong artistic skills
  • Thorough working knowledge of Body Paint, Maya, Renderman, Zbrush or Mudbox and Photoshop
  • At least 3 years of proven experience in feature film/broadcast visual effects production
  • Good understanding of the entire visual effects process, from shooting to modelling to animation and rendering
  • A traditional arts background with emphasis on photo-realistic character work and environments would be an advantage

Details:

  • Location: Vancouver, Canada
  • Start Date: Immediate and through 2011
  • Duration: Project based

If this position sounds of interest then please get in touch, sending your reel and resume to: vancouver-jobs@moving-picture.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

The Reality of Santa (2010) – A Holiday Special

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrroP6QAfnw

Santa has been a very naughty boy this year.

As the town of Spokane, Wa celebrate the Christmas festivities, the Williams family cry boo-hoo. It appears that Santa has taken away all of their presents, leaving behind lumps of coal. Is Santa Clause the one responsible for taking away the presents from the good people of Spokane, or is someone else responsible?

Software to Hardware Question

Hi everyone, I have a question regarding software to hardware.

I have a Macbook Pro with the Intel Core i7 (2.66 GHz) processor and 4GB of RAM (soon to be upgrading to 8GB).

I was wondering if this is suitable enough to run Maya, Matchmover, Compositing programs, etc? I’m going to be studying animation soon, so I’ll probably be using Maya the most but I would also like to learn other various special effects programs as well.