Company: Reel FX Animation

Job Summary Reel FX Animation is seeking a Character Designer to help bring both main and secondary characters to life for an animated production. This role involves creating appealing, story-driven characters that align with the visual direction set by the Art Director and Production Designer. Onsite presence in the Montreal studio is required Tuesday through Thursday. Key Responsibilities Design characters that meet the creative vision and quality standards of the Production Designer Create expressive, performable characters that convey attitude, emotion, and action Produce original concept art and develop characters for 3D modeling Provide creative solutions for both visual and technical design challenges Develop characters from initial concepts through handoff to modeling Qualifications Degree or diploma in Fine Art, Industrial/Architectural Design, or related field (or equivalent experience) 3+ years of experience in feature film, commercials, or video game production Strong 2D character and creature design skills Experience with Photoshop and Illustrator Understanding of 3D design and modeling pipelines (asset) Strong grasp of design, cinematic techniques, staging, and compositing Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills Ability to collaborate with designers, artists, and programmers Passion for worldbuilding and character creation

Job Summary Reel FX Animation is hiring a Digital Painter to help define color, lighting, and visual mood for animated productions. This role supports the story and digital production pipeline through polished artwork, color keys, textures, and paintwork. Onsite availability Tuesday to Thursday in the Montreal studio. Key Responsibilities Create conceptual designs, production illustrations, and key art Develop color keys, lighting guides, texture guides, and detailed paintwork Produce high-quality textures for project assets Maintain visual consistency and adapt to established styles Review, revise, and improve artwork based on Director/Art Director feedback Use the studio’s artwork management tool for tasks and reviews Meet productivity and quality targets Qualifications BA in Fine Art, Computer Graphics, or equivalent experience 2+ years in feature animation, commercial work, or video game art Strong digital painting skills and advanced Photoshop ability (Wacom proficiency) Experience with matte painting is a plus Strong understanding of color, lighting, composition, perspective, and form Knowledge of surface texture, anatomy, and architecture Excellent communication and teamwork skills Able to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment Organized, self-managing, and able to meet goals

Location: Montreal, QC (On-site: Tuesday – Thursday) Job Summary: Technical Leader & Pipeline Architect Reel FX Animation is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Pipeline Projects Supervisor to oversee the maintenance and expansion of our animation production pipeline. This is a multifaceted leadership role that combines project management, people management, and hands-on technical development. Working closely with the Pipeline Technical Supervisor and Pipeline Architect, you will lead a team in designing, developing, and supporting a cutting-edge pipeline built on industry-standard DCC tools and emergent technologies (including motion capture, real-time cameras, game engines, and AI). We are excited to welcome you to our studio for essential collaboration and energy, working Tuesday through Thursday on-site. Core Responsibilities 1. Project Management & Strategy Maintain and frequently update a clear pipeline roadmap detailing future developments and refactoring of existing components. Coordinate the development schedule to protect project progress from ongoing support activities. Provide detailed weekly reports of activities for management and tax credit authorities. 2. People Management & Support Supervise and mentor a team of Pipeline Technical Directors (TDs). Plan and track the team’s workload to ensure project delivery meets established deadlines. Document and promote the strategic vision and established workflows within all production groups. Coordinate support for artists and supervisors, ensuring timely resolution of technical issues. Meet with artists and supervisors regularly to proactively identify needs and plan tools that maximize artist efficiency. 3. Technical Development & Best Practices Serve as a hands-on developer for key pipeline components, in-application scripts, tools, and libraries. Implement and enforce high standards for software development best practices. Collaborate with pipeline architects to design modular, reusable code components. Interface with the Information Systems group, utilizing relevant API entry points. Required Qualifications Experience & Education Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field. At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in a production context (CG, VFX, or Game). A firm understanding of game, CG, or VFX production pipelines. Experience with collaborative development and code review processes. Technical Skills (Must Be Proficient) Programming: High proficiency in C++ and Python programming. Operating Systems: Experience in both Linux and Windows environments. DCC/Engine Tools (Required Experience): Maya, Houdini, Katana, Unreal Engine, Perforce, Substance Painter, Git, and Flow Production Tracking. Software Development: Strong knowledge of source control, asset, and file systems (Git required; Perforce is an asset). Leadership & Soft Skills Proven ability to manage developers and create a productive team environment. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and team-building skills. A strong commitment to supporting artists and production staff in a fast-paced environment. Assets (Bonus Experience) Experience with building custom versions of Unreal Engine. Experience with motion capture tools, processes, and/or data. Hiring Priority: Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents will be considered in priority.

Location: Montreal, QC (On-site: Tuesday – Thursday) The Role: Visionary Creative Leader Reel FX Animation is seeking an accomplished and passionate Production Designer to define the visual style, concepts, and quality benchmark for our animated features. This senior leadership role works hand-in-hand with the Director and Art Director, overseeing the Art Department and ensuring the creative vision is realized within production constraints. Join our team in Montreal for collaborative, on-site work Tuesday through Thursday. Key Responsibilities Creative Direction & Quality Control Establish the Vision: Develop the comprehensive design concept, style, and high-quality bar for the production, integrating a clear passion for animation. Technical Acumen: Ensure the creative vision is achievable, considering the advantages and restrictions of the 3D animation pipeline, production schedule, and budget. Adaptability: Quickly adjust and evolve designs to meet the needs of an ever-changing story and development process. Problem Solving: Actively participate in artistic and technical problem-solving across all disciplines (Design, Modeling, Animation, Lighting). Leadership & Management Team Oversight: Lead and mentor the team of Visual Development Artists and Designers, overseeing all conceptual staff within the Art Department on a day-to-day basis. Feedback & Review: Provide clear, consistent, and concise notes on rough sketches and clean line art, including set designs, orthographics, blueprints, and schematic views as needed. Inter-Departmental Coordination: Meet regularly with Modeling and other departments to ensure designs align with their technical requirements and production schedules. Pipeline Integration: Utilize the studio’s artwork management tools for assignments and reviews, including the ability to integrate 3D previs and layout into the art/design workflow. Qualifications & Experience Experience: Proven track record as an accomplished Art Director or Production Designer on a 3D animated production is essential. Minimum of 5 years of professional designer experience. Design Expertise: Advanced, fundamental understanding of core design skills, including: Composition, perspective, form, and effective use of detail. Strong knowledge of surface texture, anatomy, and architectural design. 3D/CGI Pipeline Knowledge: Strong comprehension of the unique design challenges inherent in creating characters, sets, props, vehicles, lighting setups, and render styles for a 3D CGI production. Experience working with a Virtual Production pipeline is a strong asset. 3D and 2D character modeling/creature design experience is an asset. Leadership Qualities: Exceptional ability to inspire others and create a positive, productive, and exciting work environment. Professional Skills: Excellent communication, interpersonal, and multi-tasking skills. Must be highly organized, self-managing, and accountable for meeting deadlines and productivity goals. Education: MS/BA/BFA Degree in Fine Arts or Commercial Arts Field is an asset, but proven experience is key. Note: Priority consideration will be given to Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents.

Location: Montreal, QC (On-site: Tuesday – Thursday) Job Summary: The Visual Storyteller Reel FX Animation is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Storyboard Artist to join our team in Montreal. This role is fundamental to the creative process, responsible for translating the film’s script into the visual foundation of our projects. You will be a key partner in defining the pacing, visual continuity, and look of the film, working closely with the Story Supervisor, Director, and Layout Department. We are excited to welcome you to our studio for essential collaboration and energy, working Tuesday through Thursday on-site. Core Responsibilities Create the Story Reel: Interpret the film’s script to produce a complete sequence of storyboard panels that form the full story reel. Visual Direction: Conceptualize and visualize the story before drawing, utilizing different camera angles and meticulously maintaining continuity across all drawn panels. Camera & Pacing: Collaborate with the Story Supervisor to establish rough camera blocking, indicating fields of view directly within the storyboard panels. Revisions & Refinement: Execute clean-ups and revisions on drawn panels based on direction from the Director and Producer after initial passes of the film. Asset Creation: Create supporting 2D assets, including multiple drawings and paintings, to be used as backgrounds or layers in composite images. Problem Solving: Apply visual and analytical skills to resolve creative and technical challenges in the 2D space. Essential Qualifications Experience: Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in Feature Film, Commercial, and/or Video Game production, with a strong emphasis on drawing and visual execution. Feature film storyboarding experience is a strong asset. Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (Fine Art, Computer Graphics, etc.) or equivalent professional experience. Technical Artistry: Extremely strong pre-visualization and artistic drawing skills. Proficiency in storyboard software and Photoshop. Strong command of perspective, composition, and background drawing (e.g., landscapes, buildings). Ability to draw in both cartoon and realistic styles. Storytelling Acumen: Deep understanding of story development, script interpretation, and the animation process (including script timing and the next steps in layout). Work Ethic: Highly organized with the ability to follow detailed directions, manage tasks independently, and thrive in a high-pressure, deadline-oriented environment. Collaboration: Excellent ability to communicate complex creative and technical thoughts/ideas and a genuine enjoyment of working within a team. Hiring Priority: We are prioritizing Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents for this position.

Visual Development Designer | Art Department Reel FX Animation – Montreal, Quebec (On-Site: Tuesday – Thursday) We are seeking a highly skilled Visual Development Designer to join our Art Department. This role is crucial for establishing the 2D basis for our ongoing creative projects, demanding either strong generalist skills or specialized expertise in environment, prop, vehicle, and/or concept design. Key Responsibilities: Concept Execution: Create high-quality drawings and paintings to explore and define the visual style and desired result of final CG imagery. Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work directly with Lighting, Shading, and Look Development Artists to develop various stylistic approaches, adhering to the direction set by the Art Director and Production Designer. Production Assets: Generate 2D assets, including matte paintings for final CG scenes and multi-layered drawings/paintings for composite shots. Directional Fidelity: Accurately interpret and execute reference and creative direction to achieve the specific required look for scenes, environments, and characters. 2D Problem Solving: Utilize visual and analytical skills to solve creative challenges within the 2D pipeline. Required Qualifications & Skills: Experience: Minimum of 2 years experience in Feature Film, Commercial, and/or Video Game production, focused on drawing and painting. Education: Degree/diploma in Computer Graphics, Fine Art, Architectural/Industrial Design, or related field, or proven equivalent experience. Software Expertise: Extensive experience with Photoshop is mandatory. Experience with Illustrator is beneficial. Aesthetic Aptitude: Exceptional eye for color, composition, and detail across organic, hard surface, and environmental design. Fundamental Skills: Proven experience in traditional drawing and/or painting techniques. Attributes: Excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills. Must be a self-driven, organized, and critically-minded creative problem solver. Hiring Priority: Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents will be given priority consideration for this role.