Crowd Technical Director (VFX)

TL;DR

Crowd Technical Director (VFX): Creating and choreographing crowd simulations for CG scenes in high-end VFX and animated feature-film productions with an accent on developing efficient Houdini workflows and troubleshooting technical issues. Focus on creatively using existing motion and character variations to achieve visual diversity and meeting artistic direction and show deadlines.

Location: Hybrid (Vancouver, Canada). Employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.

Salary: C$100,300–C$128,300 per year.

Company

hirify.global, founded by George Lucas, is a leading visual effects facility serving motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries worldwide.

What you will do

• Choreograph the motion and behaviour of crowds in shots, meeting artistic direction.
• Manage the motions and cycles used on your show, including creating blending cycles.
• Assist in developing efficient workflows within Houdini, creating and modifying internal HDAs.
• Creatively use existing motion and character variations to create visual diversity within a crowd.
• Troubleshoot technical issues within Houdini and the wider pipeline.
• Work with Production and your lead to meet show deadlines.
• Communicate with artists across disciplines to work effectively as part of the wider show team.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of Houdini Software.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to address technical and artistic challenges.
• In-depth understanding of cinematic principles and composition.
• Background working on high-end VFX or animated feature-film productions.
• Experience working with motion capture and/or clip-based animation.
• Proficiency with Linux.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work under pressure to strict deadlines.

Nice to have

• Proficiency scripting in Vex and/or Python.
• Strong understanding of Houdini input/output pipeline.
• Experience with cloth/hair simulation.
• Working knowledge of Maya and rigging.
• Keen eye for how crowds flock and move.

Culture & Benefits

• Strive to be an inclusive environment, committed to considering promising individuals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
• Part of The Walt Disney Company, a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise.
• Offers a full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits.
• AI tools are designed and monitored to promote fairness, consistency, and compliance in hiring practices.
• Human review is incorporated into every aspect of the recruitment process.