We are looking for a rockstar Facial Character TD’s to be responsible for authoring facial rigs and facial riggings systems from scratch or utilizing a variety of high-resolution scan-data. This role will participate in facial research & development efforts; pioneer and recommend new tools, techniques and technology for pushing visual boundaries, performance and efficiency; and seek to continuously push the state of the art. If this sounds like you, please read on!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
- Authors high quality photorealistic facial rigs based on FACS using blendshapes
- Authors rigging systems to augment or support blendshape-based facial rigs
- Authors or contributes to systems/workflows for integrating head and body rigs
- Collaborates with Character Art, Animation, and Engineering teams to deliver the highest quality assets with animator/mocap friendly interfaces that run smoothly in engine.
- Contributes to tools for authoring and editing facial rigs (python/pyqt/pyside)
- Contributes to automated tools and workflows for runtime optimization (i.e. smooth skinning decomposition, etc)
- Contributes to tools for ingesting 3rd party facial rigs
- Contributes to facial animation systems such as facial solvers and R&D (python/C++/Machine Learning)
- Sculpts FACS (from scratch if necessary) using deformers and/or sculpting tools
- Designs supporting facial rigging systems such as sticky-lips and corneal bulge
- Processes and cleans 3D or 4D scan data from FACS sessions, and extracts useful information such as wrinkle and bloodflow maps
- Focuses on performance optimization for runtime
- Keeps up with state-of-the-art approaches to facial rigging for photorealistic characters in film and games
- Has strong understanding of facial shape transfer techniques and ability to implement shape transfer pipelines
- May be asked to direct actors through FACS during facial acquisitions.
- May ingest and integrate facial assets from 3rd parties.
- May be expected to maintain relationships and provide feedback to external vendors
- Other duties may be assigned
Education/Experience:
- Five to seven years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- One to four years of experience in character setup, Python scripting, a familiarity with MEL and a comprehensive understanding of all technical aspects of Maya animation.
- One to two years of animation training covering all basic animation principals.
- Extensive knowledge of Maya.
Other Skills: Strong understanding of state-of-the-art approaches to rigging photorealistic faces for film or games; of FACS, how it relates to facial anatomy, and ability to identify primary action units on sight; Understands current approaches to facial performance capture & solving; of modern approaches to scanning including lightstage and 4D scanning.
If this sound like the opportunity that you have been looking for - we want to hear from you. Please use the link below and apply directly to the role. Don't forget to attach your reel.
