This is a freelance position within the New York team, candidates must be available from roughly January 2027 thru March 2027.
Remote work is acceptable (from within the USA), but hybrid is encouraged and you may need to come into the office upon request. Ideal candidates will be based in the New York area, and must have valid US work authorization at time of hire.
The Houdini Lighting & Look Development TD is in charge of creating real-world lighting environments and asset surface qualities that are both creative and physically plausible. Working closely with Supervisors and other departments, they pull every element of a shot together into a finished, believable image. This role calls for a broad, yet thorough understanding of the CG pipeline, with a specific focus on lighting and look development.
Candidates should bring a strong blend of technical and artistic skill, and a commitment to producing the highest quality CG imagery across a wide range of content.
What you’ll do
CG scene assembly including the correct assets from applicable departments
Lighting shots as briefed by the Visual Effects/CG Supervisor or Sequence Lead
Creating lighting and/or working with current set ups
Troubleshooting rendering needs and efficiencies within Arnold Render
Staying true to provided reference from onset supervision or our VFX / CG Supervisors
Staying on schedule and meeting set deadlines while maintaining the highest levels of quality
Ongoing communication with Production and Supervisors
A thorough knowledge of Houdini (Solaris / LOPs and SOPs workflows)
Extensive knowledge of Arnold, or a similar production renderer
Knowledge of physically plausible shading techniques
Previous experience with shot look development
A strong knowledge of lighting techniques
A strong understanding of color-space
Basic knowledge of Nuke, including how to use layers and passes to tweak a shot after it has been rendered
Good working knowledge of other disciplines within VFX
An understanding of Linux/Unix based operating systems
Creative problem solving and attention to detail
Flexible and adaptable with the ability to work within a pre-set workflow or pipeline, with the ingenuity to troubleshoot and work around issues
Able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining high-quality results
Able to work successfully as part of a team as well as independently
Excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills
Reliable, with good time management and punctuality
You might also have
Experience working with effects elements and volume rendering
Working knowledge of Maya for DCC interoperability and asset handoff
Knowledge and experience in other render packages (e.g., RenderMan, Redshift)
New York Employees Pay Range:
Juniors (<1 year - 3 years experience): $23 - $35 per hour
Mids (4 - 6 years experience): $400 - $550 per day
Seniors (6+ years of experience): $600 - $900 per day
The posted range describes the minimum to maximum range for this job description in the state of New York. The range is posted in accordance with the New York Pay Transparency Bill. The range for this same position may be lower or higher in markets outside of New York City. Pay is dependent on the applicant's relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.
Accessibility Statement
Our New York studio is fully accessible, with step-free entry, accessible toilets on all floors, and quiet spaces available. We are committed to supporting disabled colleagues and providing an inclusive workplace for everyone.
Application Process
To apply, please complete the following application form
We review all applications manually and do not use artificial intelligence to screen candidates. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please let us know—we are happy to accommodate your needs.
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The requirements listed in our job descriptions are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. You don’t have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification listed. If your skills are transferable and you feel like the role is right for you then we encourage you to apply. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered for this role or for other roles that we might have coming up.
Framestore is proud to employ extraordinary talent across all genders, races, nationalities, religions, ages, abilities and sexual preferences. We aim to encourage and support all of our current and future employees to achieve their potential. No individual will receive less favourable treatment on any basis when applying for a career with us.
If you need any assistance during the application or recruitment process please let us know and we will support you every step of the way.
