We are looking for a Compositing Supervisor who reflects the creative talent, collaborative mindset and passion for great filmmaking that define ILM.
The Compositing Supervisor works work in collaboration with the Supervision Team and the Producer to plan, implement and deliver:
- Alongside the Show Leadership Team (Exec Prod, Producer, PM, VFX Supe, CG Supe, Anim Supe) manage Clients needs, expectations and aspirations to deliver the highest quality work, on time and to budget
- To the agreed methodology yet remain agile to adjust the plan where and when needed
- Consistent leadership locally for the project, to ensure collective collaboration at all levels of the project with a focus on the morale of the crew and the show leadership team
- Be aware of the impact creative decisions have on a show’s schedule & budget, and be willing to change the creative choices, when possible, to stay on schedule budget
- Know the limitations of their knowledge (e.g., technical, aesthetic, client-handling skills, etc.) and seek expert advice when appropriate.
Works in collaboration with the Talent Team to:
- Foster a respectful and cooperative dynamic within the compositing department
- Empower team members to collaborate inclusively and build community and a sense of belonging
- Maintain a productive team environment that encourages belonging in every facet of the team
- Empathetic to different experiences and backgrounds to foster new perspectives and ideas
- Serves as a role model and mentor for and within the Compositing department
What You’ll Do
SHOW RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manages and is responsible for all aspects of 2D compositing. Determines the technical approach and provides the technical leadership to achieve the desired level of compositing on shows
- Works with Production and CG Supervisors in designing workflow and throughput of assigned shows
- Works with Production in the estimation of bids and schedules and in staffing requirements including assessing individuals skills and delegate work appropriately
- Participates in colour management including scanning photography and internal colour management systems to ensure colour consistency of ILM’s work
- Ensures proper clean-up, documentation, and archiving of the project after its completion
- Interfaces with other departments to ensure the seamless combination of work from other disciplines (3D, Matte Painting, Roto, etc.)
- Assists in the assessment of software needs and requirements
- Attends show “post mortem” meetings, designing and implementing streamlined processes where applicable
- Responsible for problem solving and communicating issues organizationally, logistically and technically
- Delegate creative and technical tasks, as needed, to the appropriate personnel in order to maintain an overview of the creative and production goals of the show
- Juggle and prioritize shots, working within limited resources
- Coordinates and combines work of Roto Artists, Matte Painters and 3D Technical Directors
- Is able to perform all tasks necessary to complete a shot; including matte extraction, painting, roto, 2D motion, compositing and use of ancillary 2 1/2 D programs
DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Participates in the supervision and direction of a variety of administrative and personnel decisions and responsibilities including: recruitment, determination of work procedures and priorities, career development, employee morale, performance reviews and conflict resolution
- Collaborates with the Talent manager with the employee review process and the scheduling of personnel on shows, providing input on skills, productivity, and career development
- Responsible for honest, timely feedback to Compositing crew members
- Assists in the design and execution of training for the compositing discipline
- Works with the Talent Manager on defining the on-going recruitment needs of the department and is involved in the interview process for compositing candidates
STUDIO RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Represent ILM professionally and positively both within and outside the industry
- Assist and promote ILM ‘best practices’ across the show
- Working with ILM Senior Management, understand capacity issues locally and work in conjunction to mitigate Studio capacity issues, as and when possible
- Working with Talent Management to mentor potential supervisory up-and-coming talent
- Provide clear, concise and timely feedback for the Show Leadership Team and where appropriate, individual artists on the project
- Work in conjunction with the Talent Management team to handle individual performance issues on the project. For example, highlighting the issue as early as possible to Talent to work together to confirm a plan of action to deal with the issue
Other Tasks Can include:
- May cover On Set Supervision, where appropriate; participates and assisting in plate photography
- Supervise and train less experienced compositing artists
- On occasion, may be required to perform hands-on shot work on show
- Play a proactive key role in marketing ILM’s services to the industry
What We’re Looking For:
Leadership & People Management:
- Being accountable and responsible for the morale of the people on your show; Being forthcoming with expectations of those on your show
- Role Modeling the values and attributes of Good ILM Leadership including:
- Respecting and trusting any and all of those that you work with
- Collaborating within, across and outside your show, and using situational awareness to make timely decisions for your show with the studio and the company in mind at all times
- Prioritizing effective communication with your team, including active listening
Overall aesthetic & quality issues:
- Demonstrate day in day out, the ability to recognize what is aesthetically / technically missing in a shot
- Feedback, encourage and mentor the team and individual artists to produce the best quality work
- Ability to offer various technical or creative solutions to fit with the budget and schedule of the show
Technical Knowledge & Breadth of Knowledge:
- Demonstrate the ability to manage artists efficiently toward successful final shots
- Be aware of new technical developments within and outside ILM
- Proactively pursue in-depth knowledge of the new developments to further their ability to do leading-edge work
- Recognize one’s limitations in one’s current technical knowledge and seek to broaden that knowledge
- Assist ILM’s documentation and dissemination of new techniques developed on the show.
- Be technically versatile enough to comprehend the several technical solutions to any one problem
About Industrial Light & Magic:
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.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, Disney Parks, and Experiences and Products. 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.