Senior CG Lighting Artist

Responsibilities

• Implement best practices in the face replacement pipeline to match animation and puppet performances
• Replicate and adjust lighting from live action plates onto characters with emphasis on fine details
• Establish and maintain tone and mood across sequences adhering to pre-vis color keys
• Collaborate with outsource vendors, CG artists, and compositors on visual looks and workflows
• Partner with VFX Supervisors and Technical Directors to improve pipeline tools and efficiency
• Maintain character consistency across facial replacements and integrate puppet performances with live action plates

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in high-end live action VFX films
• Expert proficiency in Houdini and Arnold rendering
• Basic knowledge of compositing in Nuke for slap comps
• Deep understanding of color, scale, perspective, motion blur, and depth of field
• Comprehensive knowledge of physically based rendering (PBR) and optimizations
• Strong understanding of photography, exposure, color grading, and HDR workflows
• Strong eye for cinematic lighting and shot continuity

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UV, texture, shading, and texture mapping
• Understanding of CG modeling and rigging workflows
• Experience with Unreal Engine
• Knowledge of Maya, ZBrush, and other 3D software
• Familiarity with Python or MEL for tool development
• Background in traditional art
• Experience with stylized and realistic digital face shading
• Familiarity with hybrid VFX and digital puppetry workflows

About the Company

Swaybox Studios is rewriting the rulebook of visual storytelling, collaborating with major partners like DC Studios and Warner Bros Pictures Animation on revolutionary hybrid puppetry and digital projects.