Crowd FX Artist (VFX)

TL;DR

Crowd FX Artist (VFX): Creating large-scale, photo-real crowd simulations for high-end visual effects productions with an accent on agent setup, herd dynamics, and seamless integration with live-action footage. Focus on building complex simulation systems, troubleshooting agent-level errors, and optimizing performance for ambitious sequences.

Location: Must be based in Europe (Hybrid/Remote)

Company

A global studio specializing in scanning, motion capture, VFX, and animation, dedicated to bringing imagination to life through world-class technology.

What you will do

• Design and execute large-scale crowd simulation systems that integrate convincingly with live-action footage.
• Configure agent setups for non-standard creature types to ensure natural and varied movement.
• Convert assets to crowd agents within the pipeline and iterate simulations across complex shot contexts.
• Collaborate with animation, layout, lighting, and compositing teams to ensure seamless integration.
• Simulate realistic herd and stampede-style behaviors, including terrain interaction and collision avoidance.
• Troubleshoot crowd behaviors, cache delivery, and agent-level errors while optimizing systems for performance.

Requirements

• Must be based in Europe.
• 2+ years of experience as a Crowd or FX Artist in high-end VFX, film, or episodic productions.
• Strong working knowledge of Houdini Crowds.
• Experience simulating organic, animal, or creature-based crowds.
• Solid understanding of CG production pipelines and integration with animation and lighting.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.

Nice to have

• Rigging and animation experience, particularly for quadruped or non-standard setups.
• Experience with Mocap retargeting in Maya or MotionBuilder.
• Python scripting knowledge.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid working model with full flexibility between home and office.
• Strong emphasis on work-life balance and employee well-being.
• Supportive and friendly atmosphere with a focus on knowledge-sharing and teamwork.
• Access to industry-leading pipelines, software, and tools.
• Opportunities for career progression and internal mobility.