Lead Environment Surfacing Artist at Skydance

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Skydance Logo
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Animation, EntertainmentIndustries

Requirements

  • 6+ years in VFX or animation industries
  • 1+ experience in animation industry
  • Strong artistic or/and technical aptitude related to 3D animation
  • Expert on all things relating to shading, texturing, and optimizing assets
  • Possesses deep knowledge of creating UVs
  • Knowledge of skinning, rigging, lighting and optimization
  • Experience in Mari, Maya, Substance Designer, Arnold Render
  • High English level
  • Spanish is desirable

Responsibilities

  • Takes and receives direction from the Supervisor and provides feedback for the team and reviewing artist’s work
  • Is an expert on all things relating to surfacing, texturing, and optimizing Assets
  • Works with the Director and Supervisor to elevate the quality to the next level
  • Evaluates the surfacing artists’ work first, making sure all the assets follow the quality standards and artistic direction
  • Creates textures using photography, pre‑existing materials, and/or procedural sources
  • Paints stylized textures from concepts following the look of the show
  • Develops procedural materials, filters, and generators in Substance Designer for use in Painter or the broader pipeline
  • Produces both stylized painted textures and high‑end photorealistic textures
  • Understands and translates the vision of the Production Designer into the look of the movie
  • Keeps up on current technology trends and tools (hardware and software) that best suit the production (and the company) in the development of a stronger creative technical environment
  • Provides tech support to the team for troubleshooting and following up on tickets
  • Provides shading support to the Lighting and FX teams throughout production
  • Shows a proactive approach to learning new skills and tools
  • Works together with the team, providing them with support, guidance and instruction in areas that contribute towards their artistic and professional growth
  • Follows the Supervisor’s guidance
  • Acts as the link between input and output departments (Modeling, Set Dressing, Rigging, Lighting, FX, Compositing)
  • Proposes solutions to technical problems, defining the best ways to proceed
  • Has organizational skills as time management, prioritization and delegation
  • Has communication skills as Active listening, Clarity, Empathy and Transparency

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

USDSubstance PainterSubstance DesignerHoudiniRenderManRizomUVSurfacingTexturingMaterial CreationAsset Optimization

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What tools and software are required for the Lead Environment Surfacing Artist role?

The role requires expertise in USD, Substance Painter/Designer, Houdini, RenderMan, and RizomUV for creating materials, textures, and surface aesthetics.

What are the main responsibilities of a Lead Environment Surfacing Artist?

Responsibilities include leading a team of surfacing artists, briefing the team, communicating notes, reviewing work for quality standards, creating textures using photography or procedural sources, and providing tech support.

What is the company culture like at Skydance Animation?

Skydance offers a dynamic, inclusive, and ever-evolving culture that welcomes innovative ideas, fosters growth, and supports pioneers pushing the limits of collaborative art with unique creativity and technological advancements.

Is this a remote position or does it require office work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What salary or compensation does the role offer?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Skydance

Produces films, television, and interactive media

About Skydance

Skydance Media produces a variety of entertainment content, including feature films, television series, and interactive experiences. Their films, such as Mission: Impossible - Fallout and Annihilation, are designed to appeal to global audiences. The company also creates television shows like Grace and Frankie and Jack Ryan, which are available on popular streaming platforms. Skydance Interactive focuses on developing virtual reality experiences, starting with the VR shooter Archangel. Additionally, they have an animation division that collaborates with Ilion Animation Studios to create animated films and series. Skydance differentiates itself from competitors by offering a diverse range of high-quality content across multiple platforms, including films, TV, and VR. The company's goal is to entertain a wide audience by delivering engaging and immersive experiences.

Santa Monica, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2010Year Founded
$656.6MTotal Funding
DEBTCompany Stage
VR & AR, EntertainmentIndustries
501-1,000Employees

Benefits

Hybrid Work Options

Risks

Regulatory hurdles may delay the Skydance-Paramount merger's strategic benefits.
High-budget productions risk financial loss if revenues fall short.
Increased competition in animation could overshadow Skydance's new projects.

Differentiation

Skydance operates across films, TV, gaming, and animation, offering diversified entertainment.
The company partners with major platforms like Netflix and Amazon for content distribution.
Skydance's animation division collaborates with Ilion Animation Studios for high-end productions.

Upsides

Skydance's merger with Paramount enhances storytelling capabilities and cost efficiency.
The rise of streaming services boosts demand for Skydance's original content.
Growing interest in VR and interactive content aligns with Skydance's strategic focus.

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