WildBrain Studios jobs – Senior Lighter/Compositor (Gaffer)

Job Overview

• Company: WildBrain Studios
• Role Title: Senior Lighter / Compositor (Gaffer)
• Job Type: 4-Week Contract (Full-Time)
• Start Date: Early March 2026
• Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Hybrid / Flexible)
• Union Status: IATSE Local 938
• Primary Software: Katana / Solaris / Nuke / Gaffer
• Reporting To: Producer & Lighting / Comp Supervisor

WildBrain Studios, a global powerhouse in children’s entertainment and the creative force behind some of the world’s most beloved animated content, is currently offering an elite WildBrain Studios job for a high-caliber Senior Lighter/Compositor (Gaffer).

This specialized four-week engagement is based in our state-of-the-art Vancouver studio—though open to our robust remote network—and is critical for a high-priority production kicking off in early March 2026.

We are looking for an artist who can command a sequence, translate complex art direction into stunning visual reality, and serve as a technical beacon for the rest of the lighting and compositing team.

If you thrive in an artist-centric culture that values imagination as much as technical rigor, this WildBrain Studios job is where your work will truly shine.

Compensation & Benefits Table

At WildBrain, we believe in fair, transparent, and competitive rewards. This WildBrain Studios job is covered by a collective agreement with IATSE Local 938, ensuring your rights and contributions are protected and valued.

Note: Final salary within the posted range is determined by the candidate’s specific level of experience, internal equity, and the specialized technical skills brought to the project.

Detailed Responsibilities: The “Gaffer” Leadership Role

As a Senior Lighter and Compositor in the Gaffer capacity, your role is pivotal to the aesthetic and technical success of the production. You are responsible for setting the “attitude” of the set and characters.

1. Key Shot Development & Look Dev

• Master Lighting: You will light sequence key shots based on high-level art direction. Using templates established by leads, you will push the visual boundaries to define the final “look” of a sequence.

• Aesthetic Excellence: Ensure every frame meets the quality standards of a WildBrain production, focusing on the harmony between character lighting and environmental atmosphere.

• Template Propagation: Create robust setups that allow the mid-level and junior lighters to propagate your lighting across the remainder of the shots in a sequence without loss of quality or technical stability.

2. Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Primary Point of Contact: Serve as the technical and creative reference for your assigned sequences. You are the “go-to” person for any lighting-related hurdles within your shots.

• Advise & Train: Actively train and advise the lighting/compositing team on how to efficiently utilize your setups, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and technical growth.

• Pipeline Troubleshooting: Work within the studio’s rendering pipeline to identify and solve technical glitches, overdraw issues, or rendering bottlenecks.

3. Production Coordination

• Communication: Maintain a constant, professional loop with the Lighting/Comp Supervisor and the Producer, ensuring they are apprised of progress and any creative shifts.

• Schedule Risk Management: Proactively identify and report any issues that could impact delivery schedules or the four-week contract timeline.

• Flow Integration: Utilize Flow Production Tracking (formerly ShotGrid) to manage tasks, versions, and feedback loops effectively.

Qualifications: What You Bring to the Wild Side

This WildBrain Studios job requires a seasoned veteran who can hit the ground running for this short-term, high-impact contract.

Essential Experience:

• Industry Tenure: At least 3+ years of professional experience in the animation or film industry, specifically within a high-output studio environment.

• Software Mastery: Expert proficiency in node-based lighting and compositing software. Experience with Gaffer, Katana, or Solaris is essential, alongside a high level of expertise in Nuke.

• Workflow Breadth: A deep understanding of the entire 3D pipeline, including how modelling, texturing, and shading interact with lighting and final rendering.

• Genre Versatility: The ability to adapt your lighting style to multiple show aesthetics—from high-energy, colorful preschool content to complex, cinematic family features.

Interpersonal & Organizational Skills:

• Collaborative Spirit: An “encouraging attitude” toward feedback. You view critiques as a tool to reach a higher standard of work.

• Deadline Proficiency: The ability to multitask and manage your time under the rigorous pressure of a four-week delivery schedule.

• Professional Communication: The ability to explain complex technical problems in a creative and positive manner to non-technical stakeholders.

Why Pursue a WildBrain Studios Job?

WildBrain isn’t just a studio; it’s a community of creators. We pride ourselves on producing content that reaches every corner of the globe.

1. Artist-Centric Culture: We invest in our people. Even on a short-term contract, you are treated as a vital part of the WildBrain family, with access to training and a supportive, barrier-free work environment.

2. Global Impact: Our content is beloved by families worldwide. You will be contributing to a legacy of award-winning animation.

3. Inclusion & Equity: We are committed to an atmosphere free from barriers. We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds and provide accommodations for disabilities throughout the selection process.

4. The Vancouver Backdrop: Our custom-built studio in BC is beautiful, but our remote culture is just as vibrant. We meet, mingle, and get creative regardless of where our desks are located.

Application Requirements

This project starts in early March 2026. Interested candidates for this WildBrain Studios job are encouraged to apply immediately with the following:

• Professional Portfolio/Reel: Highlighting your key lighting shots and compositing breakdowns.

• Detailed CV: Outlining your experience with node-based lighting tools and shipped credits.

• References: Contact information for production supervisors or producers who can speak to your efficiency and leadership in a lighting team.