Lead CG Generalist

For over 30 years, the Nickelodeon Animation Studio continues to be one of the largest producers of television animation in the world, reflecting all kids today. Based in Burbank, Calif., with offices in New York, the Studio, designed by our artists and for our artists, is home to the world’s greatest creative talents. Our campus of creativity houses top-notch talent, storytellers, artists, production teams, voice actors, cartoon experts and more. At Nickelodeon, we are always looking to recruit dedicated craftspeople to help bring groundbreaking new ideas to life and that starts with you! We are leading the way in animated content for TV series, TV movies, shorts and theatrical features. Some of our new upcoming original animated series include, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, Rugrats, Middlemost Post, Star Trek: Prodigy, Big Nate and Santiago of the Seas, among others.Our content development teams are creator-driven, our work culture is collaborative, our mentorship of new talent is second to none, and we are committed to hiring inclusively to reflect authenticity in the diverse stories we want to tell.Join us!

Summary:

Nickelodeon Animation Studio is looking for a Lighting/Compositing Lead. Illustration and digital painting skills are a great addition. A good generalist skillset is a big plus. The ideal candidate is approachable and a team player comfortable giving reviews.

Responsibilities:

• Lighting, rendering, and compositing from Maya, Arnold, and Nuke based concepts sent from clients and directors.
• Digital touch-up, sweetening, and image finaling to finish composites as final art/illustrations.
• Generate and manage assets for marketing and commercial needs.
• Review and share notes on lighting/comp shots from vendor studio.
• Able to work independently using commercial and proprietary lighting, rendering, and compositing tools.
• Capability to switch gears quickly onto multiple tasks.
• Assist in developing techniques to render the necessary layers with appropriate compositing software and detailed documentation.
• Take direction from the directors to establish suitable work techniques and lighting tools when needed, as well as macros for 2D and 3D software for other team members with detailed documentation explaining tools and techniques.
• Work with in-house team to establish look of modeled assets in CG.
• Collaborate with vendor studio to create quality light rigs for characters, props, and sets.
• Create detailed documentation based on show requirements and help train and guide vendor studio artists.
• Aid in the research, development, and implementation of rendering methods and techniques.
• Assist with/create characters, set, and prop models.
• Completion of UV layout for character, set, and prop models.
• Assist with/create set Layout files, blendshapes, textures, and lighting presets.
• Assisting with the rigging/rigging of characters, sets, or props.
• Completing the finaling process on characters, sets, and props.
• Knowledgeable of standard pipeline practices to ensure accurate workflow across departments.
• Presenting and upholding standards of a global brand.
• Complete all tasks within a timely manner.

Qualifications:

• Extensive knowledge of and experience with Nuke, Maya, and Arnold software
• Strong knowledge of Nuke and Adobe creative suite needed
• Digital touch-up and painting ability
• Story telling with Lighting, color, and value
• Vast knowledge of practical camera effects such as Chromatic aberration, depth of field, film grain, vignette, focal length, etc.

Additional Qualifications:

• B.A. or B.S. in Animation or related field preferred, but not required
• Houdini experience is a plus
• Digital touch-up and painting ability
• Effects / FX skills are a plus
• Experience in MEL and Python is a plus
• Cross-department experience in modeling, Look Development is a plus
• Interest in USD, RTX, Nvidia, and other emerging render technologies is a plus

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York City, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.