Lead CG Environment 3D Modeler – Swaybox Studios 

Swaybox Studios is not just making movies; we are inventing a new medium. By blending puppetry, practical effects, and cutting-edge digital technology, we are rewriting the rulebook of visual storytelling. In collaboration with DC Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, and Matt Reeves’ 6th and Idaho, we are currently developing a revolutionary feature film project that demands a unique fusion of hands-on artistry and high-end technical precision.

We are seeking a Lead CG Environment Modeler to join our team in the vibrant heart of New Orleans, LA. This role is the critical bridge between our physical fabrication shop and our digital VFX pipeline. If you are a master of spatial awareness who thrives on the intersection of the “real” and the “rendered,” we want to hear from you.

Lead CG Environment Modeler Job Overview

• Company Name: Swaybox Studios
• Position Title: Lead CG Environment Modeler
• Employment Type: Full-Time / Project-Based
• Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States (On-site preferred)
• Estimated Salary Range: $115,000 – $165,000 (Based on experience & seniority)
• Industry: Animation / VFX / Feature Film
• Key Partners: DC Studios, Warner Bros., 6th and Idaho
• Primary Software: Autodesk Maya, Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino), ZBrush

The Swaybox Studios Mission

At Swaybox Studios, our environments aren’t just backgrounds; they are characters. Because our workflow involves “Hybrid Real-Time” performance, our digital environments must match the tactile, weighted reality of our physical sets. As the Lead CG Environment Modeler, you will lead a team in crafting immersive worlds that feel grounded, lived-in, and narratively significant. You will be responsible for ensuring that the transition from a physical miniature or a Rhino-based architectural draft into a high-fidelity Maya cinematic asset is seamless, efficient, and aesthetically breathtaking.

Key Responsibilities & Leadership as CG Environment Modeler

1. Digital Asset Creation & Refinement

• Modeling Excellence: Create and oversee the production of high-complexity digital models for sets, props, and vehicles. You will translate 2D concept art and rough physical maquettes into 3D assets that maintain the “soul” of the original design while meeting rigorous technical standards.

• Hybrid Workflow Integration: You will act as the primary liaison between the Practical Set Fabrication team and the VFX team. This requires a deep understanding of how physical dimensions translate to digital units.

• Advanced Topology: Lead the team in taking CAD-heavy model builds (often originating in Rhino) and converting them into clean, organized, and efficient polygonal topology in Maya.

2. Pipeline Oversight & Standards

• LOD Management: Determine and enforce Level of Detail (LOD) requirements based on shot proximity and camera movement, ensuring the engine remains performant without sacrificing visual fidelity.

• Technical Standards: Establish and maintain modeling procedures, naming conventions, and UV standards to ensure a smooth handoff to the Texturing and Look Development departments.

• R&D Support: Participate in early-stage Research and Development to test new modeling methodologies or tools that could enhance the studio’s proprietary workflow.

3. Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentorship: Lead a team of modelers, providing constructive feedback through draw-overs, “over-the-shoulder” sessions, and formal reviews.

• Creative Syncing: Work directly with the VFX Supervisor, Art Director, and Production Designer to determine “split lines”—the point where practical sets end and digital extensions begin.

• Bidding & Scheduling: Assist production management in estimating timeframes (bidding) for environment tasks and ensuring the team hits milestones within the established schedule.

Required Qualifications & Technical Skills

To be successful in this role, candidates must demonstrate a balance of technical rigmarole and artistic intuition.

• Industry Experience: A minimum of 3+ years of professional experience as an Environment or Set Modeler on high-end feature films, television, or AAA cinematics.
• Leadership Provenance: Previous experience in a Lead or Senior capacity, with a track record of managing assets through a full production lifecycle.

• Software Mastery:

  • Expert-level proficiency in Autodesk Maya.

  • Advanced sculpting skills in ZBrush or Mudbox.

  • Familiarity with Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino) is highly prioritized, as much of our architectural foundation begins there.

• Artistic Foundation: A “traditional” eye for scale, composition, and silhouette. You must be able to look at a 2D sketch and understand the volume and mechanics of how that object would exist in a physical 3D space.
• Technical Knowledge: * Deep understanding of “holding edges” and subdivision surfaces.

• • Expertise in modular environment design to allow for reusable assets across vast digital sets.

  • Knowledge of the downstream needs of Rigging, Texture, and Lighting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Architectural Background: A degree or professional background in Architecture, Industrial Design, or Scenic Design is a massive plus.

• Real-Time Engines: Basic experience with Unreal Engine or similar real-time rendering tools, as the industry trends toward real-time visualization.

• Technical Artistry: Familiarity with Python or MEL scripting to automate repetitive modeling tasks.

• UV & Layout: Experience with complex UV unwrapping and scene layout/set dressing.

Work Culture & Diversity Statement

Swaybox Studios is located in New Orleans, a city known for its unparalleled creativity and unique culture. We mirror that energy in our studio. We believe that great storytelling comes from diverse voices and perspectives.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, talents, and identities.

According to recent industry data (2024-2025), the VFX and Animation industry continues to strive for better representation. Current demographics in the digital arts sector reflect approximately 68% male and 32% female identification, with ethnic diversity in technical leadership roles hovering around 24% Asian, 8% Hispanic/Latino, and 5% Black/African American. Swaybox is actively working to exceed these industry averages by fostering an inclusive environment where the best talent—regardless of background—can thrive and innovate.

Why New Orleans?

Joining Swaybox in New Orleans means more than just a job; it’s a lifestyle. You will be part of a tight-knit community of innovators in a city that offers a lower cost of living than Los Angeles or Vancouver, without sacrificing any of the creative ambition. From world-class food to a legendary music scene, New Orleans provides the perfect backdrop for a studio that values “hands-on artistry.”