Crowd Artist job at Eyeline Studios, Vancouver, BC

Job Overview

• Company: Eyeline Studios
• Job Title: Crowd Artist
• Job Type: Fixed-Term Contract
• Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Work Model: Hybrid
• Seniority Level: Mid-Level
• Required Experience: 2–5 Years in Live-Action Feature Film or Television
• Salary Range: CAD $105,000 – $136,000 per annum
• Reporting Structure: Reports to Crowd Lead / CG Supervisor
• Industry: Visual Effects (VFX) & Virtual Production

Company Overview: The Intersection of Craft and Innovation

Eyeline Studios is a global creative powerhouse dedicated to partnering with world-class storytellers to transform ambitious concepts into stunning cinematic realities. We are a team of risk-takers, innovators, and perfectionists who believe that while technology is a vital tool, our people are the soul behind every frame we produce. Our studio is built upon three core pillars—VFX, Studios, and Labs—which together form a creative spine that supports the entire filmmaking process from initial concept to the final pixel.

With a significant strategic investment from Netflix in our pipeline, infrastructure, and workforce, Eyeline is uniquely positioned at the forefront of the industry. This partnership allows us to push the boundaries of visual effects and virtual production technology while continuing to collaborate with a diverse array of global clients. Nestled in the world’s most vibrant production hubs, Eyeline Studios offers a dynamic environment where exceptional craft meets radical precision. We don’t just build worlds; we deepen creative connections.

Role Overview

Eyeline Studios is seeking a highly skilled Crowd Artist to join our Vancouver team on a fixed-term basis. In this role, you will be responsible for the digital choreography and simulation of massive crowds for high-end visual effects. Your work will span the entire production lifecycle, from early-stage planning and previsualization (previz) to final shot delivery for major motion pictures and episodic television.

The Crowd Artist at Eyeline is more than a technical operator; you are a digital director of thousands. You will create the complex motion, behaviors, and individual “logic” that allow digital agents to move realistically within a scene. This role requires a sophisticated balance of artistic sensibility—knowing how a crowd should flow to support the narrative—and technical mastery of simulation software and pipeline integration. We are looking for a team player who thrives on troubleshooting complex problems and can communicate effectively within a high-pressure, collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

I. Simulation and Behavior Design

• Digital Choreography: Design and execute complex crowd behaviors and simulations that align with the specific look, movement, and stylistic vision of the Director and VFX Supervisor.

• Previz and Planning: Develop crowd simulations for planning purposes, ensuring that the scale and density of digital agents are accurately represented early in the production cycle.

• Creative Problem Solving: Propose inventive approaches and technical solutions for specific shot challenges, ensuring that the crowd elements integrate seamlessly with live-action plates.

II. Pipeline Integration and Collaboration

• Cross-Departmental Synergy: Collaborate closely with VFX/CG Supervisors and Producers to implement efficient workflows. You will play a key role in integrating crowd pipeline tools and techniques into the broader studio infrastructure.

• Technical Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve creative and technical bottlenecks within the crowd simulation pipeline, utilizing scripts and custom tools where necessary.

• Asset Optimization: Work with the Rigging and Animation departments to ensure that crowd agents are optimized for high-volume simulation without sacrificing visual quality.

III. Communication and Production Management

• Stakeholder Reporting: Maintain ongoing, transparent communication with artists, leads, and production management regarding project schedules, milestones, and technical deadlines.

• Feedback Implementation: Attend all relevant shot and sequence reviews (dailies), actively incorporating feedback from supervisors to iterate on and polish crowd sequences.

• Meeting Participation: Represent the Crowd department in sequence launches and production meetings to ensure alignment on creative goals and technical requirements.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Animation, Visual Effects, Computer Science, or equivalent professional experience.

• Industry Experience: 2 to 5 years of dedicated crowd or motion experience specifically within live-action feature films or high-end television.

• Core Technical Stack: Advanced proficiency in Golaem, Maya, and Python is mandatory for this role.

• Autonomy: A proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision while meeting rigorous production deadlines.

Preferred Skills (The “Plus” Factors)

• Houdini Expertise: Experience with Houdini Crowds, KineFX, and Vellum dynamics is highly desirable as we continue to evolve our pipeline.

• Motion Capture: Familiarity with mocap retargeting within Maya or MotionBuilder.

• Generalist Foundation: Prior experience in Rigging, Animation, or Lookdev provides a valuable perspective on agent construction and final integration.

• VFX Literacy: A deep understanding of the live-action VFX pipeline and the ability to troubleshoot across department lines.

Leadership & Team Expectations

At Eyeline Studios, we believe “teamwork makes the dream work” is more than a cliché—it is a requirement. The Crowd Artist is expected to:

• Foster Collaboration: Actively share knowledge and techniques with peers to elevate the collective output of the department.

• Maintain Professionalism: Exhibit excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, especially when navigating complex shot feedback or tight deadlines.

• Drive Innovation: Stay curious about emerging crowd technologies and contribute ideas that keep Eyeline at the cutting edge of storytelling.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: CAD $105,000 – $136,000 per year. (Base salary is determined by a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s specific skills, experience, and location).

• Work Model: This is a hybrid position, offering a blend of in-studio collaboration in our Vancouver office and remote flexibility.

• Culture: Join a global team that values “coming as you are.” We celebrate diversity and ensure that all applicants receive consideration based solely on their qualifications and passion for the craft.

Application Process

To apply for the Crowd Artist position at Eyeline Studios, please submit your current resume and a link to your demo reel.

Important Note: Your reel must demonstrate high-end crowd simulation work, ideally showing both the “behind-the-scenes” simulation logic and the final rendered pixels. We will only consider applicants who are currently based in British Columbia or those who are fully committed to relocating to the Vancouver area.