About Dwarf-Labs Montpellier.
Dwarf-Labs is looking for a Character Technical Director for its Montpellier Studio. Dwarf Labs is unique in Europe in adopting the major U.S. studios' practice of linking rigorous training with a studio that delivers cutting-edge computer animation and stunning visual effects.

Summary of role

Start Date: Jan 2013
Candidates must be Citizens of European Union member states.

The Character Technical Director adds animation and deformation controls & muscle systems to digital characters. Rigging requires an understanding of anatomy and expression, and riggers work closely with animators to design a set of controls that support all of the desired range of poses and behaviors. Scripting is often used to construct more sophisticated rigs, so it is valuable for a rigger to have good programming skills.

In all of these tasks, the TD is responsible for creation, revision, maintenance and support of the digital assets, responding to guidance and review notes from the director as well as creative and technical supervisors. Digital assets must meet standards and specifications with respect to appearance and aesthetics, user interface, performance, in-house animation and rendering pipeline.

Qualifications
◦ Must have 2 or more years experience in CG animation production for television, film, games or visual effects.
◦ Skill and experience is required character rigging as described above
◦ Must have experience with a high-end 3D modeling and animation system (such as Maya, Modo, XSI, Houdini or 3D Studio Max). Skill and experience in the use of subdivision surfaces is highly desirable.

◦ Must have a good understanding of 3D computer graphics theory and practice.

◦ Must have good understanding of shape, composition, physical motion, weight and balance.
◦ ◦ Must have good understanding of muscle simulations, hair & fur.

◦ Must have good written and verbal communication skills.
◦ Must be able to work alone and collaboratively, often with multiple tasks and under deadline pressure.

◦ Must be open to direction and able to embrace change.
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In addition to these required qualifications, any of the following attributes will be considered a plus:

•Use of French language is a plus but not mandatory.

•Degree in computer science, art, architecture, or engineering.

•Ability to program in a scripting language such as Mel or Python. 

•Skill in drawing, sketching, or sculpting.

Submission Process

If you are interested in and qualified for this position, please apply to this online posting at http://www.dwarf-labs.com/en/careers/job-opportunities-2/ providing your resume and cover letter and a link that points us directly to your portfolio or demo reel.