Description
Job summary
Amazon Studios Virtual Production (ASVP) is looking for an ASVP Virtual Art Department Art Director to join a highly collaborative team innovating filmmaking technologies that will help enhance the storytelling process. You must have proficiency in several DCCs to create CG assets to assemble virtual worlds in Unreal. As a Studio Artist, you will interface with, manage, and help guide external production Virtual Art Departments (VADs). Internally, you will help create pre-production art for filmmakers of Amazon Original Movies and Series for Prime Video. The ASVP VAD will assist production teams with artwork, blocking layouts and digital asset schedule estimates to accompany production bidding and scheduling breakdowns. Most of all, you may be called upon to Art direct anywhere in the ASVP filmmaking supply chain from pitch-vis assets to final pixel virtual world creation. The ASVP VAD will be a resource for asset creation services globally for Prime Video. Our projects include critically acclaimed, award-winning originals like Fleabag, Sound Of Metal, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as well as ground-breaking projects like The Boys, Jack Ryan, Carnival Row, The Underground Railroad, One Night in Miami, and more. Be part of the filmmaking process by creating Art that helps the Filmmaker’s vision come to life.
Key job responsibilities
• Provide art direction to internal Amazon Studios teams of artists across the globe.
• Provide art direction feedback to external Virtual Art Departments on Amazon Original Movies and Series.
• Be a digital asset creation resource for different departments such as ASVP Visualization.
• Be a resource for filmmakers for key art, look development image boards, and pitch deck creation.
• Assist production with script breakdowns with regards to VAD scope, bidding, scheduling, and creative planning.
• Create digital assets utilizing different DCCs.
• Work with creative teams in assembling virtual worlds in Unreal.
• Assist with maintaining version control for all digital assets.
• Create artwork for pitch-vis and concept materials for production planning and green-lighting projects
• Create artwork for pre-production, pre-vis, and final pixels assets for live-action VP photography.
• Contribute to the development and operation of the Amazon digital asset management system.
• Contribute to developing custom pipelines for projects with specific creative and technological needs in collaboration with Amazon’s engineering teams.
• Constantly be testing new world-building software, plug-ins, and methodologies
• Participate in daily and weekly reporting of production work.
A day in the life
This position will work closely with key creatives, productions, and the technology crews of Amazon/AWS. We obsess over the filmmaker and the filmmaking process. Our goal is to enhance traditional filmmaking and invent new ways technology can enhance the art of storytelling.
About the team
As part of Amazon Studios, ASVP is helping create a highly collaborative environment, both locally and in the cloud, for filmmakers to bring their projects to life in a safe, innovative, and inspirational space. You must be a builder at heart and a collaborator in spirit.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
• 4+ years of experience creating digital artwork and assets for media.
• Ability to create concept art, look bibles (designs and photos), and art sheets to communicate art direction.
• Proficient in CG asset creation in programs such as Photoshop, Substance Painter, ZBrush, Maya, Houdini, Blender, 3DSMax, Nuke, world creation apps, etc.
• Ability to assemble and light CG assets in the Unreal game engine.
• Demonstrate past artwork with links to demo reel and/or portfolio.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Previous Art Director experience and/or lead visual artist background preferred.
• 3+ years production experience working with key creatives - director, DP, prod designer, VFX supervisor.
• Previous experience working in a Virtual Art Department.
• Have a keen eye for photo-realism.
• General understanding of Unreal materials, lighting, and world building.
• Familiarity with Unreal sequencer, character setup, and camera.
• Familiarity with raytracing and other rendering techniques.
• Up-to-date knowledge on best asset practices in Unreal.
• Knowledge of USD platform/pipeline as well as other exchange formats such as fbx, obj, alembic, etc.
• General understanding of the practices and procedures used in VFX, live-action film production, and the gaming industry
• Working knowledge of version control systems, eg., Perforce, Git.
• Art dept and/or CG dept workflow experience at a VFX facility.
Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.amazon.jobs/en/disability/us.