Layout Artist

This is a Full Time Job


The Layout Artist creates camera moves and rough blocking animation within a digital environment. Layout Artists work closely with the Animation Director and Visual Effects Supervisor to establish composition, timing, and continuity for each shot. When live-action photography is involved, the Layout Artist accurately recreates the set, camera moves, and actor performances to allow for seamless effects integration. In the CG Layout process, camera matchmoves and original CG camera moves are integrated to create the framework of each sequence. The Layout Artist works as part of the larger layout team, which acts as a central hub for all shot preparation to ensure continuity and camera accuracy in CG Elements.

What You'll Do
• Perform matchmoving duties such as camera tracking, character matching (matchanim), solving lens distortion, deformation matching of surfaces, solving native stereo plates
• Multi-plate splicing and stitching, adding creative plate post-moves, creative stereo (i.e. Technical layout)
• Previz, postviz and techviz (prep for location shooting or ride development); Process inbound/outbound moco data
• Photomodel, perform environment/scene setup verifying correct assets are being used, edit ranges are correct, and generating initial data for downstream artists including animation/TDs/comp, lidar processing, set dressing (i.e. Scene setup)
• Create creative camera work for non-plate shots and camera takeover shots; originate entirely CG camera animation (i.e. CG camera work)
• Solve facial animation from face cams (i.e. face-capture)
• Under the direction of the project Supervisors, setup the technical and aesthetic approaches of the matchmove work for a shot, sequence, or an entire aspect of a show
• Convert background plates to various formats to use with specific software to create digital motion files that match the plate photography; animate any live action character or relative object in the scene
• Model the set geometry used to create the matchmove and environment for Animators and Technical Directors
• Light, render and composite files with the background to judge the move

What We're Looking For
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent; 3+ years' experience as an artist, animator, or camera operator
• Ability to reproduce exact camera moves within a computer environment
• Knowledge of photography principles and the effects of different lenses on perspectives
• Good written and oral communication skills including strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent problem solving skills including the ability to work under tight deadlines
• Advanced knowledge of Linux, Maya, 3dEqualizer (or other tracking software) required. Knowledge of Nuke is a plus
• Maintain an expert level of knowledge about current developments in matchmove tools for computer graphics, especially in areas that relate to the film industry
• Must have a willingness to learn new tools, proven ability to be detail-oriented and to work efficiently within a production environment
• Nice to have:
• Location and/or Stage experience including matchmove set ups; data wrangling; hdr/digimatte/texture/pmodel photography; lidar scanning; lens grid filming; on-stage (real-time) camera capture/assistance

JoinILM

In San Francisco:

The hiring range for Junior Layout Artist is $64,300 to $80,400 per year.
The hiring range for Layout Artist is $90,400 to $113,000 per year.
The hiring range for Senior Layout Artist is $113,300 to $141,600 per year.
The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
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