Character Grooming Lead

The Character Grooming Lead is an expert in a particular area of fur, feather and hair grooming and simulation.  Lead Artists need to exhibit a comprehensive knowledge of their area as well a mastery of complex applicable techniques. In addition they must demonstrate a proven artistic eye, as well as a complete understanding of the Surfacing, Grooming and Character FX pipeline.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsibilities include balancing their own shot work while flagging immediate and/or upcoming problems regarding either the pipeline or shots and offering solutions to those problems
• Responsible for mentoring and guiding grooming artists; both at a junior and senior level, and effectively communicate within and outside the department. 
• Point person when Department Head is unavailable - Communicate status and elevate issues to Character FX Supervisor and Surfacing Supervisor.
• Ensure technical comments from VFX Supervisor and Head of Department are understood and addressed.
• Help Grooming Artists decide appropriate techniques to apply and troubleshoot technical issues, as well as look into approaches to simplify or raise efficiency for completing their work.
• Work with artists to prepare and present their work for Rounds/Dailies.
• Mentor artists and provide guidance, experience and insight on technical issues.  
• Proactively maintain a consistent working methodology and standards by actively sharing tips, tricks and formal training to other crew members. Work with the training department to prepare and teach classes in areas of expertise.
• Lead initiatives (i.e, tools, process, pipeline) within the CFX group (information gathering, consensus building).  
• Certify there are clear tools and procedures (including documentation) for setting up, and executing shots and using assets correctly within the CFX pipeline. Assess possible implications for all departments in the production pipeline.
• Foster good working atmosphere and ethics. 

Qualifications
• 5+ years of experience including production experience in feature film animation
• Strong working knowledge of Shave/Haircut, Maya fur, or otherfur grooming tools. Knowledge of Yeti desirable.
• Proven Leadership experience 
• Experience building new pipelines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills