About the role
Company Overview
Guru Studio is a creative-driven entertainment company and an industry leader in animated storytelling. For over twenty years, the studio has produced recognizable children’s properties. The studio is currently expanding its team for the production of the series PAW Patrol.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Using an extensive 3D assets library and creating rough models to represent scale, placement, and necessary volumes to compose sets, locations, and stagings based on 2D designs, storyboards, and production scope.
- Completing script Previs ahead of storyboard launches.
- Evaluating Storyboards into 3D space to visualize and pre-plan each episode by preparing rough modeling blockouts, rough camera positions, staging, and set dressing ahead of the layout department.
- Applying launch notes and considerations to set dressing planning.
- Working with supervisor(s) to determine relevant location/set usage for episodes and any modifications needed on existing assets per episode.
- Evaluating staging, general camera usage, and path of action plans to create a foundation for Previs and Set Dressing work.
- Planning and managing Houdini stagings, groupings, and location splits in alignment with production scope.
- Populating Asset files with Previz Explore Geo as required.
- Posting both WIP and completed work internally and communicating progress to managers and other departments to allow for departmental adjustments.
- Keeping up-to-date on location set dressing techniques and technology and proposing new tools/methodologies.
- Maintaining strong organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience working as a PreViz/Scene Planner in Series and/or Feature Animation production.
- Previous Lead or Supervisor experience required.
- Proficiency with Maya, Flow, and Houdini, including submission notes, task statuses, and logging work time.
- Visionary mindset for world building and taking initiative to lead conceptual development of new environments.
- Strong spatial awareness for previs building to translate shots into Layout.
- Strong layout background is considered an asset.
- Strong leadership skills with a collaborative approach to inter-department communication.
- Strong understanding of TV Animation series pipelines.
- Portfolio featuring modeling, previz, or layout work (or any combination thereof).
Compensation and Employment Terms
- Contract Duration: Fixed-term contract of approximately 1 year.
- Expected Compensation: $1,550 - 1,650 per week, depending on experience and role requirements.
- Location Status: This is a Hybrid/In-Studio role open only to Ontario residents who can travel to the Greater Toronto Area for studio work.
Why Join Guru?
- Collaborative Environment: Promotes values of courage, purpose, inspiration, integrity, transparency, and empowerment.
- Quality Standards: Commitment to high standards of quality and creativity.
- Professional Growth: Offers learning opportunities for skill development.
- Benefits: Supports philanthropic initiatives and provides an extensive benefits plan including extended mental health services.
- Flexibility: Supports remote work while providing a downtown studio for in-person team building and collaboration.
Inclusion and Accessibility
Guru Studio is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity. The studio is dedicated to employment equity and welcomes applications from people from all Indigenous groups, races, religions, genders, and people with disabilities. Guru provides an accessible candidate experience and is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all candidates feel valued. Accommodations are available on request throughout the selection process.