Bardel Entertainment is hiring Lighting Supervisor

Bardel Entertainment is more than just an animation studio; it is a legacy. For over 35 years, we have pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling, evolving from a boutique creative house into a global leader in the animation industry. At our core, we remain grounded in the craft of animation, driven by a relentless pursuit of fresh ideas, innovative techniques, and cutting-edge technologies.

Our philosophy is simple: Together, anything is possible. We believe that the marriage of creativity and collaboration is the engine of success. When you join Bardel, you aren’t just taking a job; you are entering an environment that empowers you to experiment, learn, and contribute to world-class projects. We are currently seeking a visionary Lighting Supervisor to lead our team in Montreal for an upcoming Featurette, helping us continue our tradition of artistic and technical excellence.

Role Overview & Quick Reference: Lighting Supervisor (Featurette)

Category	Details
Company Name	Bardel Entertainment
Position Title	Lighting Supervisor (Featurette)
Office Location	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Work Model	Hybrid Production
Employment Type	Full-time Contract
Salary Range	$2,000.00 – $2,400.00 CAD per week
Start Date	Late April / May 2026
Core Tech Stack	Katana, RenderMan, Nuke, UNIX

The Role: Lighting Supervisor:

The Lighting Supervisor is a cornerstone of the production pipeline. You are the bridge between the Director’s artistic vision and the technical execution of the lighting and compositing departments. Your mission is to lead your team to deliver a cohesive, high-quality visual style that enhances the story’s emotional resonance.

This role requires a rare blend of artistic sensibility and technical mastery. You must be able to maintain visual continuity across hundreds of shots while simultaneously managing the logistical realities of a major animation production—including budgets, schedules, and technical constraints.

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Key Responsibilities as Lighting Supervisor:

1. Leadership and Artistic Vision

As the head of the lighting department, you will:

Style Implementation: Supervise the lighting teams to achieve the specific visual style dictated by the feature film’s creative brief.
Visual Consistency: Ensure that lighting is consistent across all shots and sequences, maintaining the film’s unique visual identity from start to finish.
Directorial Liaison: Regularly review work with the Director and CG Supervisor, providing feedback to artists and approving shots for final submission.

2. Technical Strategy and Workflow

Working at the intersection of art and tech, you will:

Feasibility Assessment: Collaborate with the CG Supervisor to determine the technical feasibility of designs, proposing production-friendly solutions that don’t compromise the director’s vision.
Pipeline Development: Oversee the lighting and compositing workflow, including the development of methodologies, tools, and resource requirements.
Scene Optimization: Lead the team in executing complex 3D scenes, managing layers/passes, and optimizing renders to ensure maximum efficiency without sacrificing quality.

3. Team Management and Development

A Lighting supervisor is only as good as their team. You will be responsible for:

Resource Allocation: Assigning tasks to artists based on their individual skill sets and strengths to optimize both creativity and output.
Mentorship: Providing constructive, performance-based feedback to each artist, helping them grow within the production.
Recruitment: Actively participating in the selection and hiring process for new talent to ensure the team remains world-class.
Communication: Serving as the primary link for interdepartmental communication, ensuring the team is always updated on project developments.

4. Production Logistics

Schedule & Budget: Work hand-in-hand with production management to ensure the team stays on track and within the allocated budget, making tactical adjustments as deadlines approach.
Documentation: Maintain up-to-date technical documentation for the team and other department heads to ensure transparency and knowledge sharing.

What You’ll Bring: Requirements & Qualities

Bardel Entertainment is looking for a seasoned veteran of the animation industry who has “seen it all” and remains passionate about the craft.

Experience

Professional Tenure: At least 10 years of production experience with a deep understanding of the global animation landscape.
Leadership Track Record: A minimum of 5 years in a leadership role (Lead or Supervisor) specifically on fully animated or hybrid feature projects.
Software Mastery: Production-proven experience in Katana and RenderMan is a strict requirement. You must also be highly proficient in Nuke for compositing oversight.

Technical Skills

Traditional Fundamentals: A solid understanding of traditional lighting principles (color theory, value, mood) and compositing techniques.
Systems Knowledge: Proficiency in UNIX and shell scripting is required to navigate and troubleshoot modern animation pipelines.
Optimization: The ability to plan and execute complex scenes involving layers and passes while performing complex comps.

Soft Skills

Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills are vital for managing interdepartmental relationships and artist reviews.
Self-Direction: A high degree of autonomy and a strong work ethic. You should be someone who identifies problems before they happen and takes initiative to solve them.

Compensation and Benefits

At Bardel Entertainment, we believe in taking care of our people from day one. The salary range for this position is $2,000 – $2,400 CAD per week, depending on experience and qualifications.

Our Perks Include:

Hybrid Work: Enjoy the balance of working from home and collaborating in our Montreal studio.
Comprehensive Wellness: Extended Health and Wellness benefits starting from your first day.
Future Security: RRSP matching program to help you plan for the long term.
Culture of Innovation: Access to an environment that encourages experimentation and provides the tools necessary to stay at the cutting edge of the industry.

Important Application Details

Location Note: This position is based in Montreal, Quebec. Candidates should be prepared to work within the local time zone and adhere to the hybrid in-studio requirements.

Start Date: We are looking for the successful candidate to begin their journey with us in late April or May 2026.

The Demo Reel: Your application must include a demo reel that demonstrates a firm artistic understanding of light and composition. We require a shot listing breakdown that explicitly details the tasks you performed for each shot shown in your reel. We want to see how you solved problems and elevated the final image.

Why Bardel Entertainment?

For over three decades, Bardel has been a staple of the Canadian animation scene. We have partnered with industry giants like Disney, Netflix, HBO, and DreamWorks. When you work with us, you are joining a studio that values the artist as much as the technology. We provide a platform where your leadership can truly shape the final look of a project seen by millions around the world.

If you are a technical expert with an artist’s soul and a leader’s heart, we want to hear from you.