MATCHMOVE/
LAYOUT ARTIST

Minimum 6 month contract

Stargate Studios Malta is looking for Matchmove/Layout Artists to join our team. The role calls for a talented and experienced artist who will be joining our 3D department. Our artists work on high-end VFX for a wide range of projects so we are looking for an adaptable artist that has experience in creating camera moves and rough blocking animation within a digital environment. The ideal candidate should be extremely organised and motivated with very good knowledge of Maya and with the desire to work within a team in our studio in Malta.

Qualifications and Skills:

  • 2+ years industry experience preferably within a VFX Pipeline (live action)
  • Extensive experience and proficiency animating in MAYA and PFtrack or 3Dequalizer
  • Extensive experience reproducing exact camera moves within a computer environment.
  • Ability to Understanding of photography and the effects of different lenses on perspectives.
  • Good communication skills both written and verbal. 
  • Strong attention to detail and follow through.
  • Strong problem solving skills and ability to work collaboratively.
  • Positive attitude even under pressure and deadlines.
  • Able to receive constructive feedback.
  • Self-motivated and proactive. Consistently strives to expand knowledge base.
  • Experience working in a high pace environment.
  • Location and/or Stage experience including matchmove set ups; data wrangling; hdr/digimatte/texture/pmodel photography; lidar scanning; lens grid filming; on-stage (real-time) camera capture/assistance.
  • Knowledge of Nuke is a plus
  • Fluency in the Italian language is a huge plus but not a necessity.

Responsibilities and Duties

  • Performs matchmoving duties such as camera tracking, character matching (matchanim), solving lens distortion, deformation matching of surfaces, multi-plate splicing and stitching, adding creative plate post-moves, set dressing (i.e. Scene setup)
  • Responsible for Previz, postviz and techviz (prep for location shooting or ride development); Process inbound/outbound moco data
  • Photogrammetry, lidar processing, environment/scene setup verifying correct assets are being used and generating initial data for downstream artists including animation/comp.
  • Model the set geometry used to create the matchmove and environment for Animators and Technical Directors.
  • Creates creative camera work for non-plate shots and camera takeover shots; originate entirely CG camera animation (i.e. CG camera work)
  • Solve facial animation from face cams (i.e. face-capture)
  • Convert background plates to various formats to use with specific software to create digital motion files that match the plate photography; animate any live action character or relative object in the scene
  • Ensuring his/her work meets production deadlines and quality standards.
  • Knowing and following all pipeline and studio policies and procedures.
  • Keep up to date with internal tools, software and techniques.
  • Share knowledge and techniques with other team members.
  • Assist in overall team communication and contribute to a positive work environment.