FREELANCE Senior Compositing Artist

Company Description

FOLKS was founded in Montreal in 2012, and has since opened offices in Toronto, Bogotá, Saguenay, and Mumbai. Our five studios have been designed to meet the needs of our clients, expand our roster of artists, help train the next generation, and provide a better environment for our artists.

This ecosystem offers you the best of two worlds-tight-knit teams for personalized service and human-scale collaboration and the strength of a flexible network that leverages the specialties of each studio to deliver breathtaking results.

There's no assembly line work here. We nurture the creativity of our artists, who are among the most talented in the industry, and from concept to finished product, we focus all our attention on making your vision a reality.

Our diverse origins give our creations that little extra something special.

More recently (2020), in an effort to continue providing our clients with specialized expertise, FOLKS became a member of Pitch Black, which brings together FuseFX, RSP, El Ranchito and FOLKS studios and has more than 1,400 visual effects artists worldwide.

Job Description

The talent is hired as a Senior Compositing Artist. This includes performing the duties described below, which may be modified or replaced from time to time by the studio.

As a Senior Compositing Artist, you will perform complex digital image compositing tasks, seamlessly integrating all elements of a visual effects shot.

You will report to the Head of 2D and are responsible for creating the final deliverable shot work on our projects in accordance with the VFX supervisor's creative direction.

You will work with other members of the department and the rest of the project team to integrate live action and digitally generated elements into a completed shot, including 2D tracking, keying, color correction, 2D effects and integration.

You will also work closely with other departments and production to meet delivery schedules and milestones, and you are responsible for the artistic and technical quality of your work.

EXPECTATIONS OF THE ROLE

• Compose simple to complex shots at various stages of production, including pre- compositions, alignments, 2D tracking, 2D effects, overlay extractions, integration and color correction.
• Follows a set style direction; pursues the highest quality.
• Escalates issues to more senior artists or supervisors as needed.
• Works successfully as part of a team, seeks collaboration opportunities.
• Organizes, prioritizes, and communicates to meet production needs.
• Takes part in creative discussions and actively participates in dailies.
• Receives and implements feedback quickly and effectively.
• Stays flexible and adaptable with the ability to work within a set workflow as well as having the creativity and problem-solving skills to work around issues.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure consistency in the final composition of the elements of a visual effects shot.
• Resolve visual, artistic, and technical issues where possible or forward information to the appropriate department (modeling, texture, 3D lighting, etc.).
• Harmonize the creative and technical aspects of each shot.
• Integrate 2D and 3D elements to produce photorealistic images that meet FOLKS' high-quality standards.
• Work closely with Compositing Supervisors, VFX supervisors and other team members to understand project requirements, provide creative input, find creative and technical solutions and approaches that enhance shots and ensure artistic vision is realized effectively.
• Perform quality control on shots before they are submitted for review / approval, ensuring that all technical and creative standards are met, and promptly implement any notes received.
• Keep production and the project team informed of the status of the work, issues to be resolved, ramifications of problems encountered and recommend potential solutions.
• Ensure deadlines are met, informing the project team promptly if delays are expected.
• Collaborate effectively with other artists and departments to ensure cohesive visual storytelling and continuity across all elements.
• Manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and meet project deadlines while maintaining a high level of artistic quality and attention to detail.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with team members, supervisors, and clients, providing updates on progress, addressing concerns, and contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Mentor and advise junior compositors; share knowledge and techniques.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years creating high-end composites for episodic TV and live-action feature films.
• Good knowledge of Nuke and a thorough understanding of the math behind comp operations.
• Understanding of the basic principles of cinematography including knowledge of color, lighting (reflection, refraction, shadows), perspective and composition.
• Awareness of other discipline software such as Maya, Houdini and industry standard tracking software.
• Good level of attention to detail and an understanding of colour theory, colour LUT'S, composition and the medium of film.
• Good organizational skills, maintaining a calm and professional demeanour in a delivery focused work environment.
• Technical and creative problem solving with a can-do mindset.
• Working knowledge of the VFX pipeline and entire post-production process, including interdepartmental dependencies and hand over processes.

Additional Information

Nothing in this job description restricts the Company's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The Company prohibits discrimination in employment against otherwise qualified applicants because of a physical or mental disability and will make reasonable accommodations to enable qualified persons with known disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job consistent with applicable law.

The Company will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.