Knack Studios hiring Paint & Prep Artist, 2026
Join the Vanguard of Invisible Effects at Knack Studios – Hyderabad Knack Studios is more than a post-production house; it is a filmmaker-led sanctuary where technology meets storytelling. We specialize in rendering the impossible into cinematic reality. With a legacy of over 850 successful projects across five major Indian languages, we have established ourselves as the preferred destination for high-end visual effects in South India. As we prepare to launch our 6,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Hyderabad, we are looking for meticulous Paint & Prep Artists with 3–5 years of experience to join our core team. If you possess an obsessive eye for detail and the technical prowess to make the complex look effortless, your next career chapter starts here. Job Overview Company Name: Knack Studios Position: Mid-Level Paint & Prep Artist Experience Required: 3 – 5 Years Employment Type: Full-Time Primary Location: Hyderabad (On-Site) Facility Size: 6,000 Sq. Ft. (Upcoming Hyderabad Hub) Key Software: Nuke, Silhouette, Mocha, Photoshop, Fusion Industry: VFX & Post-Production Compensation & Benefits Structure Note: Salary packages are competitive and based on the candidate’s technical proficiency, speed, and portfolio quality. Role Level Experience Estimated Annual CTC (INR) Focus Area Mid-Level Artist 3 – 4 Years ₹5.0L – ₹8.5L Complex Rig Removal & Clean Plates Senior Prep Artist 5+ Years ₹9.0L – ₹13L+ Strategy, Projections, & QC Leadership The Knack Advantage: Beyond the base salary, we offer a high-energy environment, access to cutting-edge hardware, and the opportunity to work on pan-Indian blockbuster cinema. About Knack Studios Founded by filmmakers, Knack Studios operates on the principle that post-production should be an artistic collaboration, not just a service. In just seven years, we have scaled from a specialized unit to a multi-location powerhouse. Our Chennai headquarters spans 20,000 square feet, and our new Hyderabad unit is designed to be a hub for innovation in Visual Effects, Sound, and Color Grading. We are powered by technologies available for the first time in South India, ensuring that our artists have the tools they need to achieve “pixel-perfect” results. Detailed Role & Responsibilities The Paint & Prep Artist is the “unsung hero” of the VFX pipeline. Your work ensures that the canvas is clean for the Compositors and that the audience never sees the “strings” behind the movie magic. 1. Advanced Element Removal & Reconstruction Object Removal: Execute the seamless removal of wires, rigs, tracking markers, microphones, and crew reflections from complex live-action footage. Clean Plate Generation: Construct high-fidelity clean plates to support background reconstruction, often requiring the recreation of textures and lighting that were obscured by the original actors or equipment. Artifact Cleanup: Eliminate sensor dust, lens scratches, and digital artifacts while preserving the underlying film grain and skin textures. 2. Technical Prep & Stabilization Denoising & Regraining: Master the art of removing digital noise for clean painting and accurately reapplying grain to ensure the patch is indistinguishable from the original plate. Complex Stabilization: Apply advanced stabilization and “match-move” paint techniques to ensure that all digital repairs hold up under intense camera movement. Projection Workflows: Use 2D and 3D projection techniques (Nuke/Fusion) to map clean textures onto geometry, ensuring perspective and parallax are maintained. 3. Quality Control & Collaboration Integrity Checks: Perform rigorous self-QC to identify jitters, edge “boiling,” or color shifts that occur during the paint process. Departmental Synergy: Collaborate closely with the Roto and Compositing teams to ensure that the prepped backgrounds align perfectly with the foreground mattes. Workflow Optimization: Maintain organized script structures and strictly follow naming conventions to ensure a smooth hand-off within the studio pipeline. Candidate Profile: Skills & Attributes Technical Expertise Software Mastery: Professional-level proficiency in Foundry Nuke, Silhouette FX, and Mocha. Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop for texture creation is essential. Visual Literacy: A deep understanding of light, shadow, and color. You must be able to match the “feel” of a shot, including its depth of field and motion blur. Problem Solving: The ability to decide when to use frame-by-frame painting versus a procedural or projection-based approach. The “Knack” DNA (Soft Skills) Self-Image: We are looking for Confident Go-getters. You take ownership of your shots and see them through to final approval. Traits: Persistence in the face of difficult retakes, a creative approach to technical hurdles, and an approachable personality that thrives in a team environment. Motives: We value those who are hungry for personal growth. Our “Win-Win-Win” philosophy ensures that as the studio succeeds and the client is happy, the artist also evolves. Qualifications Academic: A Diploma or Degree in Animation, VFX, Fine Arts, or a related field. Portfolio: A showreel showcasing “Before & After” breakdowns of clean plates, rig removals, and complex texture recreations is required. Why Join our Hyderabad Unit? Be a Foundation Member: Join our new Hyderabad facility at the ground level and help shape the culture of our newest hub. High-Profile Projects: Work on major titles across Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and more. Career Pathing: We actively promote from within, moving talented Prep artists into Compositing or Lead roles. Creative Freedom: While we follow strict standards, we encourage artists to find new, faster ways to achieve world-class results. Application Instructions Are you ready to make the invisible, visible? To apply for the Paint & Prep position at our Hyderabad unit: Prepare your CV highlighting your years of experience in a professional VFX environment. Provide a link to your Digital Showreel (Vimeo, YouTube, or SyncSketch). Include a brief note about your most challenging “Prep” shot and how you solved it. Knack Studios is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.