At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and create stunning looks for CG assets in a collaborative environment.
- Company: Join the creative powerhouse, ILM, known for groundbreaking filmmaking.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work with cutting-edge technology and talented artists in a dynamic setting.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that shapes the future of visual storytelling.
- Qualifications: Experience in Look Development, lighting, and rendering in VFX.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
We are looking for Senior Look Development Technical Directors who reflect the creative talent, collaborative mindset and passion for great filmmaking that defines ILM. The Senior Look Development Technical Director 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.
- Experience with lighting and rendering 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.
- Strong ability to triage technical issues.
- Ability to resolve complex lookdev challenges.
- Deliver high-quality assets within production deadlines.
- Proven ability to work on large-scale environments.
- 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.
- Ability to manage multiple assets in a shot context.
- 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.
This role is Hybrid, which means the employee will be required to work a minimum of 2 days on-site per week at a Company designated location, and occasionally from home.
Senior Look Development Technical Director - ILM London employer: Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment where creativity thrives. Employees have the opportunity to work on high-profile projects in the film industry, pushing the boundaries of storytelling through cutting-edge technology. The company fosters professional growth and development, providing support and training for team members at all levels.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Look Development Technical Director - ILM London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Lucasfilm or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Lucasfilm.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Lucasfilm.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Lucasfilm that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Look Development Technical Director - ILM London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Lucasfilm.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Lucasfilm and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lucasfilm
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Lucasfilm uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
