Head of 2D

Description

Head of 2D

The Head of 2D is a leadership role that combines technical, creative, managerial and mentor-ship duties. The Head of 2D is accountable for leading a team of compositors, ensuring best practices are maintained across all projects, from initial concept through to final delivery, while establishing workflows and efficiencies that elicit the highest quality results.

Job Responsibilities

• Accountable for the quality of all work produced by the Compositing department.
• In connection with Head of Technology, oversees colour pipeline setup on all projects. Works with Pipeline and Editorial to streamline colour workflows.
• Supervises and approves data round-trip tests at the start of all projects.
• Works in partnership with the Lighting Supervisor to develop an efficient, sustainable 2D pipeline that maximizes image quality across all shows.
• Develops a set of standardized nuke templates for recurring tasks.
• Establishes a consistent and effective QC process, ensuring continuity of colour and image quality on all final shots prior to delivery to the client.
• Supports Production to help pitch, bid, win, and efficiently plan new projects.
• Works closely with the Head of Production, and the Production Team to ensure that compositing team assignments match the required skill set, delegating work between Leads and Artists.
• Takes a lead role in the enforcement of comp schedules.
• Conducts frequent desk-side rounds, provides feedback and solutions to creative challenges.
• Oversees the completion of all end-of-show technical postmortems and end of show reports, ensures all appropriate documentation is provided to the Head of Production.
• Works proactively and collaboratively with all other VFX and support departments.
• Works closely with the VFX Supervisor to interpret the creative vision, oversee every aspect of production, and plan a pragmatic way to deliver on that brief.
• Participates in Project Kick-Off processes to define an actionable 2D strategy; ensuring that work is completed to Mavericks 2D standards and within resource constraints.
• Acts as an escalation point for the Compositing department to help resolve conflicts. 
• Works with the Head of Production to define recruiting goals that achieve the appropriate balance of qualified artists. Actively participates in the recruiting and staffing of the Compositing team, assesses the work of prospective candidates for the hiring process, and collaborates with the Head of Production on hiring decisions. Attends recruitment events as schedules allow.
• In partnership with the Head of Production, is responsible for career development, performance evaluation, performance management, mentoring, and coaching of all direct reports.
• In partnership with the Head of Production, conducts annual performance reviews with compositing artists. Continually monitors artist performance, collects feedback from senior members, sets goals and expectations for the upcoming year.
• Plays a key role in end of show postmortem reviews, provides feedback on successes and areas for improvement.
• Promotes a positive, productive, and collaborative work environment.
• Acts as an ambassador of Mavericks’ core values and studio culture.
• Is responsible for the definition and maintenance of Compositing best practices as defined within Mavericks Google Site
• This is an “off the box” role

Qualifications and Essential Skills

• Regarded as a highly-skilled and respected Compositing Supervisor, with at least 10 years of industry experience on episodic television and feature film projects.
• A comprehensive understanding of visual effects pipelines and processes, with expert-level knowledge of Nuke compositing software.
• A critical eye for detail.
• A genuine interest in the career development of compositors, with a passion for building great teams.
• Strong project planning and problem-solving skills.
• Approachable and friendly, with solid management skills.
• Works well under pressure, maintaining composure and perspective.
• Highly organized.
• Collaborative by nature, and recognizes the importance of teamwork.
• A commitment to building and maintaining the Mavericks company culture.

Reports to: Head of Production

Is Client- facing: No