2D FX & Compositing Artist - Experienced

Blue Zoo Productions • London, London • 1w ago

Our 2D FX and Compositing artists are wonderful visual storytellers. They help to define the mood, atmosphere and depth of our narratives, and highlight the charming details of our characters, props and environments.

To be successful you must demonstrate thorough attention to detail, the ability to think outside the box, be super pro-active and have a brilliant work ethic alongside the ability to quickly integrate and communicate well within a small team.

As a 2D FX and Compositing artist you will be not only collaborating with the team and supervisors to composite and complete the final look of the show but will also be creating fantastic FX to bring the show together.

Day to Day:

Hand Animate custom FX for scenes in the style of the show
Manage and maintain FX stock material in a library used by the FX team
Create particle systems in Toon Boom Harmony & After Effects and integrate into the production
Liaise with compositing team members to resolve issues
Creating efficient solutions to technical challenges
Quality control of rendered shots
Match FX timing and movement to existing animation in a scene
Compositing rendered shots in ToonBoom Harmony to create the final shot.
Using After Effects when needed to assist the Toon Boom Harmony workflow.
Apply lighting, shading and colour effects to help boost the visual appeal of a scene when needed
Adhering to show naming conventions and file structure.
Maintaining legible Harmony scenes that can be understood by other artists.
Working as part of a team alongside artists, and regularly communicating with your Team Lead/Production Manager
Managing your time efficiently to meet the deadlines of your assigned shots
Problem solving to fix errors and glitches and addressing notes efficiently

About You

Must Have:

Solid knowledge of Toon Boom Harmony’s composition tools & workflow
Previous experience as a compositing/FX artist on a 2D animation TV production
An understanding of colour theory, aesthetics and composition.
Having an eye for detail for scrutinising final shots for any errors or inconsistencies.
Great communication and being a team player, sharing your knowledge and skills with other team members.
Highly skilled using Toon Boom Harmony and the ability to troubleshoot software challenges
Professional communication skills, able to take artistic direction & work within a production schedule
Strong sense of animation timing
Ability to work independently whilst being organised and managing your time efficiently.
Good knowledge of 2D pipeline
Strong knowledge of classical 2D animation principles
Good design and drawing skills in Toon Boom Harmony

Bonus Points:

Production Tracking software experience (Ftrack, Shotgrid)
Knowledge of After Effects and Photoshop

About Us

Blue Zoo is a leading animation studio in the UK, with a world-class reputation as the go-to place for creating bold, fun and characterful animation. Established in London in 2000, the studio has grown to become the largest dedicated CG animation studio in the UK, picking up a shelf full of BAFTAs along the way.

The studio is going through an exciting period of growth and we are building a studio that is full of amazingly talented, happy artists, making work they are proud of, which in turn makes a small contribution to a happier world. Blue Zoo believes that a healthy balance in our lives - whatever our situation - is key to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We offer flexible working to support this.

We look for people who have expertise, enthusiasm and are motivated by change. You’ll work alongside a talented and diverse group of people who respect each other's differences and seek to understand fresh perspectives.

What we’ve got for you (benefits):

Winner of Best Places to Work in TV 2019 and 2020!
Inclusive self-funded shorts programme
Many fun social events throughout the year - even though they have to be remote for the foreseeable!
Bi-monthly staff feedback and engagement programme
Friday "beer o'clock" and talks programme!
Comprehensive benefits package, including loads of discounts and offers
Online wellbeing programme
Profit participation (for staff who have been with us for 2+ years)

Blue Zoo is committed to creating and nurturing an inclusive studio that promotes and values diversity and invites everyone to ‘bring their whole selves’ to work. We believe that companies that truly embrace and value diversity, and create an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work, are better companies.

To be engaged our people have to feel included and valued. We work hard to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is embedded in the way we work, not just an initiative. We strive to engender a studio community that feels a deep sense of pride and commitment that transcends any role, department or level and works together to produce excellent and engaging work.