Crowd Technical Director
The Walt Disney Company
Job Posting Title:
Crowd Technical DirectorReq ID:
10121556Job Description:
This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.
The main focus of the position will be to create crowd simulations for our CG scenes, using either off the shelf or our own proprietary software to populate cities, large scale environments and choreograph battles.
At ILM, we strive to be an inclusive environment, and we are committed to considering promising individuals with a variety of backgrounds and experiences for this position.
What You’ll Do
Choreograph the motion and behaviour of crowds in shots, meeting the artistic direction of the show supervisor.
Manage the motions and cycles used on your show, including creating blending cycles.
Assist in developing efficient workflows within Houdini, including creating and modifying internal HDAs.
Creatively use existing motion and character variations to create visual diversity within a crowd.
Troubleshoot technical issues within Houdini and the wider pipeline.
Work with Production and your lead to meet the show deadlines.
Communicate with artists across disciplines to work effectively as part of the wider show team.
Attend dailies to present your work and receive feedback from the show supervisor.
Collaborate within the crowd team, sharing knowledge and contributing to the development of the department.
What We’re Looking For
Strong knowledge of Houdini Software
Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to address technical and artistic challenges
In- depth understanding of cinematic principles and composition
Background working on high end VFX or animated feature-film productions
Experience working with motion capture and/or clip-based animation
Proficiency with Linux
Excellent communication skills
Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines whilst maintaining a high quality output
Nice to have:
Proficiency scripting in Vex and/or Python
Strong understanding of Houdini input/output pipeline
Experience with cloth/hair simulation
Working knowledge of Maya and rigging
Keen eye for how crowds flock and move
JoinILM
The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$98,800 to C$126,400 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.Job Posting Segment:
ILM VancouverJob Posting Primary Business:
ILM VancouverPrimary Job Posting Category:
Crowds - StudiosEmployment Type:
Full timePrimary City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Vancouver, BC, CanadaAlternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Date Posted:
2025-05-09