Matchmove / Layout Artist

Job ID 10104926 Location Vancouver, Canada Business Industrial Light & Magic Date posted Oct. 28, 2024

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Job Summary:

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.

We are looking for Layout/ Matchmove Artists who reflect the innovative spirit, creative talent, production excellence, team-oriented mentality and passion for great filmmaking that define ILM!

The Layout / Matchmove (MM) Artist creates camera moves and rough blocking animation within a digital environment. They work closely with the Animation Director and Visual Effects Supervisor to establish composition, timing, and continuity for each shot. When live-action photography is involved, the Layout / MM Artist accurately recreates the set, camera moves, and actor performances to allow for seamless effects integration.

In the CG Layout / MM process, Camera matchmoves and original CG camera moves are integrated to create the framework of each sequence (matchmoving is the replication of the real set, camera and camera move within the computer for later use by animators and technical directors). Often this includes manipulating both 2d and 3d elements, while maintaining accurate camera perspective.

In some cases a sequence might be entirely Computer Generated with no live action background elements. The Layout / MM Artist works as part of the larger layout team which acts as a central hub for all shot preparation to ensure continuity and camera accuracy in CG Elements. While matchmoving is one requirement of the position, ILM Layout / MM Artists perform many tasks outside of matchmoving.

ILM strives to be an inclusive environment, and we embrace promising individuals with a variety backgrounds and experiences.

What You’ll Do

Perform matchmoving duties such as camera tracking, character matching (matchanim), solving lens distortion, deformation matching of surfaces, solving native stereo plates
Multi-plate splicing and stitching, adding creative plate post-moves, creative stereo (i.e. Technical layout)
Photomodel, perform environment/scene setup verifying correct assets are being used, edit ranges are correct, and generating initial data for downstream artists including animation/TDs/comp, lidar processing, set dressing (i.e. Scene setup)
Create creative camera work for non-plate shots and camera takeover shots; originate entirely CG camera animation (i.e. CG camera work)
Solve facial animation from face cams (i.e. face-capture)
Under the direction of the project Supervisors, setup the technical and aesthetic approaches of the matchmove work for a shot, sequence, or an entire aspect of a show
Convert background plates to various formats to use with specific software to create digital motion files that match the plate photography; animate any live action character or relative object in the scene
Model the set geometry used to create the matchmove and environment for Animators and Technical Directors
Light, render and composite files with the background to judge the move

What We’re Looking For

At least three years of relevant professional VFX experience and at least a college level diploma or higher in computer graphics, fine arts, design, photography, or related field; OR at least five years of relevant professional VFX experience in lieu of education
Proven track record of delivering high end VFX across a range of feature film and/or episodic television genres
Ability to reproduce exact camera moves within a computer environment
Understanding of photography and the effects of different lenses on perspectives
Good written and oral communication skills including significant interpersonal skills
Excellent problem solving skills including the ability to work under tight deadlines
Nice to have:
Advanced knowledge of Linux, Maya, 3dEqualizer (or other tracking software)
Willingness to learn new tools, proven ability to be detail-oriented and to work efficiently within a production environment
Location and/or Stage experience including matchmove set ups; data wrangling; hdr/digimatte/texture/photography; lidar scanning; lens grid filming; on-stage (real-time) camera capture/assistance.
Knowledge of Nuke and Unreal is a plus.

JoinILM

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$73,800 to C$94,500 per year based on a 40-hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits, may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.

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About Industrial Light & Magic:

Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, serving the motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with ILM (Vancouver) Inc., which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic.

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