Look Development Technical Director - ILM London

Look Development Technical Director - ILM London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Disney

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and create stunning looks for CG objects and scenes in a collaborative environment.
  • Company: Join ILM London, a leader in innovative filmmaking and visual effects.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Work with cutting-edge technology and develop your skills in a dynamic industry.
  • Why this job: Be part of a creative team that shapes the future of visual storytelling.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Look Development, lighting, and rendering within a VFX setting.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

We are looking for Look Development Technical Directors who reflect the creative talent, collaborative mindset and passion for great filmmaking that defines ILM. The Look Development TD is responsible for producing high-quality lookdev and shading for our CG assets, needing only initial direction and guidance from their Lead or Supervisor.

What You’ll Do:

  • Design and create the look of computer generated objects and scenes.
  • Work closely with Lighting Supervisors and CG Supervisors to determine the best approach to solving CG challenges when developing the final look.
  • Create efficient shader setups in order to optimise render farm usage.
  • Manage and maintain standard material libraries using established shading templates for consistency and pipeline efficiency.
  • Design, implement, and maintain complex, custom shading networks and materials for high-priority ("hero") assets when bespoke solutions are required.

What We’re Looking For:

  • Previous experience creating both hero assets & props in Look Development.
  • Demonstrable Lighting and Rendering experience within a VFX environment.
  • Proven knowledge of real world materials.
  • Proficiency with asset optimisation.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of physically based rendering and shader models.
  • Ability to work and communicate with texture and groom artists to get the best possible results.
  • A strong grasp of geometry formatting, including but not limited to Primvars.
  • Ability to build and maintain complex shading networks with artist usability and user-interface support in mind.
  • Knowledge of Katana is essential, Houdini and Maya beneficial.
  • A solid understanding of the fundamentals of neighbouring departments: FX, Texture, Groom, and Lighting.
  • Excellent knowledge of Renderman or other unbiased rendering systems.
  • Aesthetic eye, anticipates potential problems and uses existing software knowledge to achieve the desired look.
  • Can work collaboratively within a team environment.
  • Ability to prioritise tasks, manage time well, provide everyone with accurate time estimates on shot task completion.
  • A thorough understanding of the VFX pipeline from modelling through animation, texturing, rendering and compositing.
  • Ability to pick up new techniques and the ability to learn new software quickly and easily.

Hybrid working: encouraged to work 2 days on-site per week at a Company designated location, and occasionally from home.

Look Development Technical Director - ILM London employer: Disney

At ILM London, we pride ourselves on fostering a creative and collaborative work environment that empowers Look Development Technical Directors to thrive. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development alongside a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Join us to be part of a team that values innovation and excellence in filmmaking, all while enjoying the vibrant culture of London.

Disney

Contact Details:

Disney Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Look Development Technical Director - ILM London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at ILM or similar companies. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews – you never know who might help you land that dream job!

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a killer portfolio that highlights your look development work. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and showcases your best projects, especially any hero assets you've worked on. Remember, we want to see your creative flair and technical prowess!

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview like it’s the final showdown! Research ILM’s recent projects and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Think about specific challenges you’ve faced in look development and how you solved them – they’ll love hearing about your problem-solving skills!

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying – a little persistence can go a long way!

We think you need these skills to ace Look Development Technical Director - ILM London

Look Development
Shading
Lighting and Rendering
Asset Optimisation
Physically Based Rendering
Shader Models
Geometry Formatting

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience with look development and shading in your application. We want to see how you've tackled CG challenges in the past, so don’t hold back on showcasing your best work!

Tailor Your Application:Take a moment to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Mention specific tools like Katana, Houdini, or Maya that you’ve used, and relate your experience to the job description. It shows us you’re genuinely interested!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to describe your achievements and skills. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and gets straight to the point.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at Disney

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of physically based rendering and shader models. Be ready to discuss your previous experience with hero assets and props in Look Development, as well as any specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.

Show Off Your Collaboration Skills

Since the role involves working closely with Lighting Supervisors and CG Supervisors, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with other departments in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with texture and groom artists to achieve the best results.

Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities

Think of a few scenarios where you had to solve complex CG challenges. Discuss your approach to designing efficient shader setups and maintaining standard material libraries, showcasing your understanding of pipeline efficiency and artist usability.

Get Familiar with the Tools

Make sure you're comfortable discussing your proficiency with Katana, Houdini, and Maya. If you have experience with Renderman or other unbiased rendering systems, be ready to talk about that too. Showing that you can quickly pick up new techniques and software will impress your interviewers.