Join Lucasfilm Singapore – Feature Animation – Senior Texture Artist

The Senior Texture Artist’s primary responsibility is to create the desired textures according to the designs and visual style of the animated feature. The Senior Texture Artist will also be responsible for some hands-on texturing of the more significantly complex CG models.

# Working under the guidance and direction of the Lead Texture Artist the Senior Texture Artist is responsible for the creation of textures for CG assets insuring that they will satisfy the style and quality of the production.
# Collaborate with other artists to create valid textures for production.
# Works with preproduction team to execute the desired look of CG models and characters.
# Works closely with various team members in achieving desired look of models.
# Maintains or exceeds consistent level of productivity while meeting deadlines and producing high quality work.
# Attend all relevant meetings to promote effective communication throughout the production team.
# May participate in the recruiting and staffing of the asset team and assesses the work of prospective candidates for hiring.
# May be called upon to mentor junior members of the team.

Requirements:
* Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in Computer Graphics, Industrial Design, Fine Arts or equivalents having gained a strong sense of design and surface development.
* Experience in UV layout, texture projections, and 2D texture painting in UV layouts.
* Proficiency in the application and use of textures in one or more 3D applications (Maya preferred).
* Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop.
* Procedural texture writing experience a plus.
* 3+ years work experience required in 3D CG for digital animation or visual effects film.
* Proficiency with LINUX/UNIX is desirable.
* Expertise with Maya is required.
* Demonstrated artistic ability.
* Strong communication (written and verbal), interpersonal and organizational skills required.
* Ability to learn quickly and assimilate new information.
* Attention to detail required.
* Ability to work effectively with a diverse collection of individuals.
* A reel demonstrating texturing experience and traditional art work, together with drawings, paintings, photography, etc. Work should include shot breakdown.

To apply, click here:
https://www.lucasfilm.apply2jobs.com…&CurrentPage=1

Join Lucasfilm Singapore – Feature Animation – Lead Layout Artist

The Lead Layout Artist will be responsible for supervising and managing the day-to-day operations of the Layout department. This will involve working very closely with the CG Supervisor and the Lead 3D Story artist.

# Interfacing with the Lead 3D-story in San Francisco on an ongoing basis to ensure delivery of all assets, scene files and associated information necessary to recreate them in the production pipeline in LAS, Singapore.
# After 3D Story is complete the Lead Layout artist will supervise the transfer and unpacking of the data and verify it’s usability and completeness.
# During Rough Layout you will supervise a team of artists who will recreate the 3D Story scenes using the proper production assets, while keeping 3D Story assets in the file for reference. You will be responsible for verifying an accurate lineup between the San Francisco and Singapore scenes.
# You will also be required to liaise with the Animation Supervisor to determine any special needs he has before prepping the files for animation. You will oversee the artists, review the material and sign off on publication to animation.
# During the Animation process, you will be the sole individual authorized to make adjustments to the shot cameras.
# During Final Layout you will oversee the process of populating the shot with all the assets necessary for lighting, simulation, crowds and matte painting.
# Participates as a team member in determining various technical and aesthetic solutions; provides feedback to other members of the production by attending dailies on a regular basis.
# Maintains or exceeds a consistent level of productivity while meeting deadlines and producing high quality work.
# Attend any relevant meetings to promote effective communication throughout the production team.
# May participate in the recruiting and staffing of the Layout team and assesses the work of prospective candidates for hiring.
# Expected to mentor entry level Layout Artists and must be able to assist them with their shots.

Requirements:

* Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in Computer Science, Computer Visualization, or Computer Animation required or equivalent work experience.
* At least 8+ years work experience required in 3D CG for Digital Animation, Visuals Effects or games.
* Previous experience in a leadership role on a Feature film or Animated Feature project
* Expertise in scene, shot, camera, and character composition is preferred.
* Exposure to modeling, lighting, texturing and animation required.
* Strong knowledge of terminology and techniques used in film, animation and visual effects including knowledge of photography and camera lenses.
* Demonstrated expertise using Maya is required.
* Ability to learn and use new software as needed.
* Good organization and communication skills.
* Demonstrated artistic ability.
* Attention to detail required.
* Ability to learn quickly and assimilate new information.
* Strong communication skills required.
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Good organizational skills.
* A reel demonstrating a variety of different styles of animation including pieces which showcase the candidate’s performance and action abilities.

To apply, click here: https://www.lucasfilm.apply2jobs.com…&CurrentPage=2

Roto Reel 2010 WIP

Hi everyone

This is the first shot for my first roto reel. I appreciate any and all
comments and critique 🙂

http://www.vimeo.com/15007427

Thanks

.exr files crashes AE CS5 but not CS4

For some reason open exr files will crash CS5 for me, but not CS4?
I wonder if it has something to do with graphics card, and all that CUDA stuff, or something “new that CS5 uses”. I have the the 10.0.1 version, so I’ve updated AE to the latest version as well. To make matters weirder the “master beauty files” from Maya that are open exr works, it is just all Ambience, Diffuse, Specular, etc. that crashes it. I’ve tried to turn of and on certain settings on the graphics card, but to no avail.

Oh, yes, they are all 32bpc.

It crashes as soon as I just tries to create a thumbnail in the project window, and it crashes as soon as it in the timeline as well…

Normally I would just try to re-render in a different format, but I like open exr, and I’ve spent a week rendering stuff, and I don’t want to redo that…

Join Lucasfilm Singapore – Feature Animation – Environment Modeling Supervisor

The Environment Supervisor’s primary responsibility is to oversee the day-to-day operations of the environment modeling team, ensuring that sets, vehicles, and organic environments are created according to the designs and visual style of the animated feature. This will require partnering with the Modeling, Rigging, Look, Texture and Matte Painting Leads, Assistant Production Managers and Production Manager.

Primary Responsibilities

• Supervises the environment team to deliver the expected and desired models and environments.
• Responsible for ensuring and maintaining the quality and style of the models across the project.
• Consult with CG Supervisor as to the technical feasibility of elements in the designs and suggest production friendly solutions that will maintain the vision of the film.
• In consultation with the Director and CG Supervisor assign work to artists based on their individual skills and strengths.
• Responsible for reviewing the work of each artist on a regular basis and approving models and mattes for submission to the Director.
• Responsible for directing and guiding the overall modeling and environment creation on schedule and on budget, balancing artistic and productivity requirements, in tandem with production management.
• Actively participates in the recruiting and staffing of the modeling and matte painting teams – assesses the work of prospective candidates for the hiring process and works with production management on hiring decisions.
• Partners with production management to guide artists’ overall professional development, providing performance feedback, mentoring, resolving performance management issues and maintaining positive morale amongst the crew.
• Attend all relevant meetings to promote effective communication throughout the production team.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in Computer Graphics, Industrial Design, Fine Arts or equivalents having gained a strong sense of perspective and proportion as it relates to building environments.
• 8+ years work experience required in 3D CG for digital animation or visual effects film.
• Demonstrated team leadership experience preferred.
• Proficiency in hard surface, organic and procedural modeling is required.
• Proficiency with LINUX/UNIX is desirable.
• Expertise with Maya is required.
• Demonstrated artistic ability.
• Strong communication (written and verbal), interpersonal and organizational skills required.
• Ability to learn quickly and assimilate new information.
• Attention to detail required.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse collection of individuals.
• A reel demonstrating CG modeling experience including wireframes and traditional art work, together with drawings, paintings, photography, etc. Work should include shot breakdown.

To apply, please click here: https://www.lucasfilm.apply2jobs.com…&CurrentPage=1

Strange transparency by merge Node

Got an interesting situation occuring here, maybe you come across it before?

Its simple basic run of the mill 2 node setup merged (over) with no alpha at all, yet there is weird transparency on it…WTF?? the mix slider is on default 1 so im not introducing any trans at all.

Any ideas?..i tried a premult but that created other issues.

Regards
K.

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MPC Vancouver: Mid to Senior level Compositors

Position Summary:

MPC Vancouver are looking for two Mid to Senior level Compositors for a short contract starting in November 2010.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Tackling the compositing of shots effectively.
  • Briefing junior compositors when dividing shots into tasks (e.g. rotoscoping).
  • Teaching more junior compositors skills and techniques.
  • Delivering final shots that are creative and technically excellent.
  • Attending daily progress reviews to obtain feedback from supervisors.
  • Working to improve knowledge of MPC’s Compositing pipeline.

Requirements:

  • Proven experience with either Shake or Nuke.
  • Excellent understanding of techniques and technologies related to CG rendering and compositing.
  • Excellent understanding of the whole digital film pipeline from scanner to film recorder.
  • Proven technical and creative ability in a broadcast or feature-film production environment.
  • Good problem-solving skills.
  • General understanding of Linux/Unix based operating systems.
  • Ability to take direction and structure working practices so that design changes can be efficiently made.
  • Desire to learn from others and to take on increasingly challenging shots.
  • Capable of using initiative to effectively communicate and problem solve.

Details:

  • Start Date: November 2010
  • Duration: 6 weeks
  • Location: Vancouver, Canada

If these roles sound of interest then please send your resume and reel to: amy-s@moving-picture.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

Keyframing on top of a noise expression

So I have an attribute that I want to add a little bit of noise to, but I want to keyframe on top of it.

If I were to do this in Maya, I’d add a custom attribute and keyframe that, then add an expression to the target attribute that multiplied that custom attribute by a noise function.

How would I accomplish this in Nuke?

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time – Community Critique & Review

[ALIGN_L=http://www.blogomatic3000.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/prince_of_persia_2d_dvd.jpg]http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/princeofpersia/[/ALIGN_L]Prince of Perisa: Sands of Time – Community Critique & Review

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaa, Ben Kingsley, Gemma Arterton,Alfred Molina
Directed By: Mike Newell
Produced By: Jerry Bruckheimer
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Plot Summary: "Defy The Future"

Highly successful combo, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films (Pirates of the Carribean) join forces once more to work their magic creating an epic movie based on Jordan Mechner´s videogames.

This imaginative and mythical tale, directed by Mike Newell, (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) is set in the mystical lands of 6th Century Persia. Follow the adventures of adopted prince, Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) as he attempts to clear his name for the murder of his father of which he has been wrongly accused. Dastan joins forces with the mysterious princess Tamina (Gemma Arteton) in an attempt to beat the dark forces, the Hassansins, and keep safe the coveted ancient dagger, a ‘Gift from the Gods’ which controls the ‘Sands of Time’ – enabling the possessor to reverse time and ultimately in the wrong hands, rule the world. It´s an action packed and sand blasted race against time…

Web Links:

Official Website:http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/princeofpersia/
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473075/
Videogame Official Website: http://prince-of-persia.uk.ubi.com/#/videos/7753

Action packed yet heartwarming and funny in places this Persian Tale, boasting an all-star cast and breathtaking effects is sure to impress. The Double Negative team have come up with some very fresh and orignial ideas when creating special effects including the integral time rewind sequences and dramatic sandstorm. The combination of effects with some amazing stunts and Parkour action, choreographed by the master, David Belle, take the Prince of Persia to a whole new dimension.

Checkout the DVD and Disney Blu-ray to access a variety of special interactive bonus features and exclusive unseen and behind the scenes footage, revealing the secrets behind all your favourite scenes. Want to interact more, then play the videogame for a whole new experience….

So what´s your opinion? Give us your views detailing what makes this good or bad for you…

cmiVFX Releases New Houdini Procedural Animation Techniques Video

cmiVFX Releases New Houdini Procedural Animation Techniques Video
High Definition Training Videos for the Visual Effects Industry

Princeton, NJ (Sep 15, 2010) – cmiVFX launches its latest Visual FX Training Video for Side FX’s Houdini, Procedural Animation Techniques.

This video was created to assist animators, teaching a series of different techniques and methods for building effects inside Houdini. Houdini, while being incredibly deep with a formidable learning curve, also happens to be one of the most (if not the most) versatile and powerful non-proprietary graphics package available. There is virtually nothing Houdini can’t do, but this video will help teach fundamental concepts and provide focus and direction to a number of the incredibly powerful animation tools. cmiVFX breaks down each step one by one with fast and easy chapter references designed for even faster muscle memory. cmiVFX continues to deliver the training and content you need, quickly, efficient and affordably.

When it comes to high end CG and VFX training, there is only once choice… cmiVFX! This video is available today at the cmiVFX store for a Special Introductory Price!

Houdini Procedural Animation Techniques
http://www.cmivfx.com/productpages/p…ion_Techniques

Controlled Animation of Multiple Objects
As you may already know, it is crucial to be able to control every aspect of a given shot; making changes quickly and easily to an entire scene with the ability to immediately see the effect of those changes results in an environment geared perfectly for art direction and decision making. With these techniques, we can animate a single object using dynamic VOPs, CHOPs, and keyframes and then procedurally duplicate the entire network, resulting in the ability to parametrically control an infinite number of objects. CHOPs allow us to import an already keyframed parameter, apply that animation to each object, and then modify each object’s animation channels independently. This allows for gigantic animations controlled by only a few nodes. We’ll also use VOP networks to control when and where the animations take place.

Procedural Lightning Effect
Here you will learn to easily create a complex-looking lightning effect. The trick is to combine nurds modeling with CHOPs and the "ForEach" node to get a completely procedural and controllable lightning rig that allows for an infinite number of lightning bolts. The goal here is to learn the importance of choosing the right method for achieving a given result, with the least complex networks possible.

Rigging a Procedural Tentacle
Using bones and CHOPs together, we will learn how to quickly rig, animate, and instance a tentacle procedurally, as well as modifying the animation for each copy without having to duplicate any networks.

The Power of Recursive Animation
The SOP Solver gives us the opportunity to create recursive animations and modeling, where each frame, the geometry of the previous frame is passed forward and the whole network inside the solver is recalculated. This allows for effects using propagation, in this case, a growing area of points in a different group. We can then use this changing group data to animate things burning, melting, or simply changing in some way. Learn to calculate the distance from a given point and have each selected point add to its group based on the neighboring points, and then have the calculations repeat each frame to grow the group. This will be accomplished using the VOPSOP and the SOP Solver.

Creating Fully Dynamic Jellyfish Heads
Learn to create local forces for wire or cloth objects and combine them with keyframed geometry deformations to create dynamic soft-body objects mixed with sinusoidal animation. This technique will allow for incredibly versatile and interesting self-propelled soft bodies or cloth.

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About cmiVFX
cmiVFX is the leader in High Definition Video Training for the Visual Effects Community. Register for FREE and receive hours of FREE content at cmiVFX: cmiVFX Video-on-Demand Player For additional information about cmiVFX, visit www.cmivfx.com . © 2010 cmiVFX | cmiStudios. All rights reserved.