FX DepartmentFX Technical Director

FX TDs will help deliver the actual final FX assets on a shot by shot basis. Technical directors differ from Junior FX artist in that they are expected to be able innovate technical solutions and problem solve often complex technical challenges on a per shot basis.

• In charge of solving more technical problems or in charge of a particularly challenging FX shot.
• Under guidance from the FX Lead will be in charge of maintaining and expanding FX setups and building new shot specific setups.
• Will mentor and advise FX Artists for specific shots.
• Interprets the FX Supervisors/Directors notes and delivers a variety of FX options to gain final approval as efficiently as possible.
• Is familiar with pipeline issues and technical problem solving and will build tools to ensure smooth delivery of FX assets.
• Has a sequence wide understanding of the production and will help ensure delivery of assets from upstream departments (modeling, animation, layout) through FX and onto lighting compositing.

Is this role right for me?

For this role, you will need:

Excellent technical skills and an in-depth knowledge or CG software such as Maya, Houdini, 3DsMax etc.

An understanding of VFX pipelines, and to be comfortable with scripting (Python, Mel, Vex, etc.)

A great artistic eye for details, with an excellent sense of timing and scale.

Highly motivated, and be able to work with little supervision to solve technical problems.

An ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines

Works with

• FX Lead
• FX Supervisor
• FX Line Producer

Career Path for FX TD

Career Path to FX TD: Experience in several productions as junior FX Artist, or in more generalist CG roles.

Career Path from FX TD: FX Lead

Education Routes: FX TDs often have a degree in Animation, Visual Effects or Computer Science but can also come for cognate areas such as Film studies, Photography or Architecture. Show reel and experience are more important than education route.