Website Reel FX Animation
Job Overview
- Company Name: Reel FX Animation (Montreal)
- Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada (Hybrid Mode)
- Position Type: Full-Time
- Company: Reel FX Animation (Montreal)
- Experience Required: Minimum 4 years in Feature Film, Commercial, or Video Games
The Opportunity: Leading the Sculptural Vision at Reel FX
Reel FX Animation is calling for a highly skilled and visionary Modeling Lead to join our Montreal studio. As a studio that thrives on creativity and technical excellence, we are looking for an artist who can bridge the gap between high-level directorial vision and production-ready assets.
The Modeling Lead is a critical role that ensures the technical and artistic quality of the modeling department, overseeing the creation of everything from complex hard-surface environments to soulful organic characters for feature animation.
In this role, you will be a primary pillar of our creative community, acting as the main point of contact for technical problem-solving and artistic guidance. If you have a passion for sculpting, a deep understanding of the full asset pipeline, and the leadership skills to mentor the next generation of artists, Reel FX is the place to grow your career.
Detailed Job Summary
The Modeling Lead is responsible for the overall output of the modeling department, ensuring that every asset—whether hard surface or organic—meets the highest standards of feature animation. You will work in close collaboration with the Modeling Supervisor and the Director to translate creative concepts into 3D forms that are optimized for the animation pipeline. This role requires a sophisticated balance of high-end digital sculpting ability, technical pipeline knowledge, and empathetic team leadership.
Core Responsibilities
As the Modeling Lead, your daily contributions will impact the visual fidelity of our films. Your responsibilities include:
1. Artistic Leadership & Mentorship
Lead a Team: Act as the primary point of contact for the Montreal-based modeling team, offering artistic guidance and solving technical roadblocks.
Mentor Artists: Provide constructive feedback to junior and mid-level artists regarding topology, anatomy, and stylistic consistency.
Artistic Quality: Perform high-level sculpting and modification of 3D meshes to set the quality bar for the project.
2. Technical Excellence & Workflow
Pipeline Integration: Collaborate deeply with the Rigging and Surfacing departments to ensure assets flow smoothly through the production pipeline.
Topology & UVs: Maintain a clear and expert understanding of UV layouts and texture maps and their specific effects on mesh creation.
Problem Solving: Perform visual and analytical problem-solving in 3D space to resolve technical glitches or design challenges.
3. Production Management
Deadline Management: Consistently meet production deadlines while ensuring all assigned modeling tasks are completed in a timely manner.
File Organization: Ensure all working files are efficiently organized and comply with studio standards.
Task Management: Utilize ShotGrid (Flow Production Tracking) for task management and status updates.
Guidance Follow-through: Follow the Modeling Supervisor’s directions to ensure all models are accurate and effective for the film’s needs.
Qualifications and Technical Requirements
Reel FX Animation is seeking a Modeling Lead who possesses a rare combination of traditional art skills and modern digital proficiency.
Educational & Experience Requirements:
Education: A degree or diploma in fine arts, a recognized animation program, or equivalent professional work experience.
Experience: A minimum of 4 years of experience in Feature Film, Commercial, or Video Game production, with a specific focus on modeling.
Technical Skills:
Software Mastery: Expert proficiency in Maya and Zbrush is mandatory.
Asset Pipeline: A strong understanding of the full asset pipeline, including modeling, rigging, texturing, and look-development.
Stylistic Range: Demonstrated ability to model stylistically diverse assets, ranging from cartoon/stylized characters to photorealistic environments.
Traditional Arts: Experience with traditional sculpture, drawing, and/or painting is considered a significant plus.
Professional Competencies:
Eye for Detail: A great eye for proportions and detail in both hard-surface models and organic characters.
Problem Solver: A creative problem solver who is organized and critical of their own work.
Communication: The ability to communicate complex creative and technical thoughts and ideas clearly to both artists and supervisors.
High-Pressure Environments: The ability to multi-task, prioritize, and thrive in a deadline-oriented, high-pressure environment.
Working at Reel FX Montreal
The Montreal studio operates on a hybrid model, currently bringing the team together in-studio from Tuesday through Thursday to foster collaboration and community. We value the diversity of our talent and prioritize Canadian citizens and permanent residents in our selection process.
At Reel FX, we believe in a culture of constant learning and mutual respect. The Modeling Lead is not just a title; it is a commitment to the craft and to the people who make our animated worlds come to life.
Additional Information & Selection Process
Equal Priority: Please note that Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada will be treated in priority.
References: Professional references may be requested during the selection process.
Contact: Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Flexibility: This job description is not exhaustive; employees may be required to perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Conclusion
The role of Modeling Lead at Reel FX Montreal is an invitation to leave your mark on the next generation of animated classics. If you have the aesthetic eye of a sculptor and the technical mind of a pipeline TD, we want to hear from you. Join us in Montreal and help us transform directors’ visions into production-ready masterpieces.
To apply for this job email your details to originals@reelfx.com