Lighting TD

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Lighting, the Lighting Technical Directors will oversee look development and shading for high quality photorealistic CG assets and the final assembly of 3D scenes, manage lighting setups, and render elements to complete high-end, photo-realistic VFX shots.

Key Responsibilities

• Implementing lighting for shots as specified by the Lighting Lead, Lighting Supervisor, or Head of Lighting.
• Assembling CG scenes, and ensuring all required assets from various departments are integrated.
• Collaborating with other asset departments to ensure look development requirements are met.
• Optimizing shading setups for render-farm efficiency.
• Applying physically plausible shading and rendering techniques.
• Utilizing knowledge of real-world lighting or photography principles.
• Collaborating with CG Supervisors to strategize solutions for complex CG challenges.
• Working jointly with shot Compositors to develop and refine shots.
• Rendering additional passes as requested by the shot Compositor.
• Setting up new lighting configurations or adjusting existing setups.
• Creating efficient render setups to maximize render farm performance.
• Analyzing real-world lighting—including color and direction—and accurately replicating it within the CG environment.
• Adhering to production schedules and meeting deadlines while maintaining exceptional quality standards.
• Maintaining open communication with Production and departmental leads regarding schedules and deadlines.
• Assisting with miscellaneous tasks such as coordinating assets or elements from other departments.
• Submitting shots for review and making revisions based on feedback.

Essential Skills

• Experience in a similar role.
• Previous experience with shot look development.
• Strong knowledge of physically plausible shading and rendering techniques.
• A good understanding of color-space.
• A strong knowledge of lighting techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of Houdini.
• Basic knowledge of Nuke or similar compositing packages, including how to use layers and passes to tweak a shot after it has been rendered.
• Good knowledge of other disciplines within VFX including simulation, Modeling and UV mapping, Texturing and Camera Tracking.
• Flexible and adaptable with the ability to work within a pre-set workflow or pipeline while maintaining creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Effective time management skills to meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Extensive knowledge of either Renderman, Arnold or similar production renderer.
• Basic knowledge of Python and/or Mel scripting.
• A strong understanding of Linux/Unix-based operating systems.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with digital paint software such as Photoshop and/or Mari.
• Experience working with effects elements and volume rendering.
• Knowledge and experience in other render packages.
• Knowledge and experience in Compositing and Nuke.
• Experience and knowledge in Modeling and Texturing.

Additional Information

• Location: Hybrid, London, United Kingdom.
• Eligibility: Role is currently only open to those in the UK or with the right to work in the UK.
• Commitment to Equity: Framestore is an equal opportunity employer committed to supporting all employees regardless of gender, race, nationality, religion, age, ability, or sexual preference.
• Application Note: Requirements listed are guidelines; candidates are encouraged to apply even if they do not satisfy every requirement if they have transferable skills.