VAD Supervisor, Synapse Virtual Production

Job Title: VAD Supervisor
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Company: Synapse Virtual Production
Sal Range: $110,000 - $130,000

About Us:

Synapse Virtual Production is a pioneer in virtual production (VP) content creation, facility development, education, consulting, and stage rental. By leveraging AI, game engine software, cutting-edge hardware, and novel workflows, Synapse is reinventing how premium content and experiences are made. Its award-winning team of veteran filmmakers, technologists, and immersive experts enable studios, networks, agencies, and production companies to create groundbreaking content with unparalleled efficiency. Synapse offers VP volume stage rental at its NY and LA studio locations and through the expanding global network of Synapse Certified™ stages. Additionally, Synapse collaborates with universities and studios on VP facility design, R&D, and education initiatives to ensure a sustainable talent pipeline for the industry and jobs for the VP workforce of tomorrow. You can learn more about us at synapsevp.com. 

Overview:

As the VAD Supervisor, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the development and execution of cutting-edge virtual production projects. Working closely with both creative and technical teams, you will be responsible for managing the Virtual Art team, ensuring smooth project delivery, and maintaining high standards of quality. You will be a key point of contact for clients, guiding them through the virtual production process from concept to final output.  By leveraging your expertise in 2D, 3D, and real-time workflows, you will bring innovative ideas to life that ensure the timely delivery of assets and seamless integration into the production pipeline. Your leadership and technical expertise will be crucial in shaping the future of virtual production and delivering groundbreaking content across film, television, and other media platforms.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee client expectations, timelines, and budgets, ensuring clear communication throughout the production process.
• Manage the VAD team, coordinating with a network of artists and freelancers to meet contracted milestones and deadlines. Provide feedback, maintaining clear communication with clients, ensuring their needs are met and expectations are exceeded.
• Interpret ideas communicated by the Director and Key Creative Team, working closely with design teams to translate them into photo references, concept art, and storyboards.
• Partner with the Previz team to bring concepts and visions to life within Unreal Engine both for content and for technical planning.
• Create and supervise CG assets, ensuring design continuity and seamless integration from concept art through to final production.
• Work closely with leadership to align production with the specifications and vision of the Director/Key Creatives.
• Collaborate with the production team on bids and scheduling, maintaining ongoing communication with Clients and Key Creatives during all production stages.
• Build, texture, and light photoreal environments in Unreal Engine using its full suite of world-building tools, including Megascans, blueprints, shaders, lighting, and particle effects.
• Solid understanding of Unreal Engine workflows, version control, blueprint, Metahuman, procedural assets, level sequencer.
• Solid understanding of Maya 3D asset creation, textures and lighting. 
• Solid understanding of 2D compositing workflows such as Nuke and After Effects. 
• Author shaders and textures for assets, utilizing reference materials such as scans, previz, photography, and concept art.
• Optimize real-time scenes across various workflows, including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, shading, lighting, and particle effects.
• Contribute to the development of real-time pipelines and stay updated with the latest tools and processes to maintain production efficiency, and help to communicate with and educate internal and external teams about pipelines.
• Collaborate with fellow asset builders to manage asset delivery milestones and ensure high-quality work across teams.
• Constantly seek ways to improve workflows, technical processes, and creative approaches to enhance production quality and efficiency.
• Work closely with the production technology, and other partners to engage with clients during the project specification and bidding process.
• Keen eye for QC in content development, testing, and on set, with clear communication between VAD team, stage team, and Key Creatives.
• Bridge gaps between virtual and practical teams with a focus on lighting and the importance of synergy between departments.

Experience:

• A minimum of 8+ years of experience in the game or film industry creating assets and environments.
• A reel or portfolio site demonstrating as a lead artist or supervisor at a major vfx or gaming studio, including examples of work contributions. 
• Perforce experience is a must.
• Previous on-set experience.
• Demonstrated experience in creating photo-realistic assets in both organic and hard-surface assets and environments.
• Demonstrated ability to render imaginary scenes with little or no reference.
• Clear understanding of anatomy and motion of organic and mechanical forms.
• Proficient in using Unreal Engine and experience working with 2D and 3D programs such as Maya, Blender, Houdini, Zbrush, Substance, Photoshop, Nuke, and After Effects.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills to diagnose and solve issues in complex integrated systems.
• Ability to execute technically difficult work and maintain a productive attitude under the pressure of live-action production
• Familiarity with the import/export process to Unreal Engine at both Static Mesh and Skeletal Mesh levels.
• Experience with photogrammetry asset processes and cleanup (a plus).

Character Attributes:

• Knowledge of film production processes from pre-production to post-production, ensuring alignment between virtual and physical workflows.
• Experience in managing client expectations, addressing concerns, and fostering positive relationships throughout the production process.
• Proactive, positive attitude with a focus on delivering high-quality data in a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to adapt to the dynamic schedules and shifting priorities inherent to production environments
• Willingness to travel occasionally for set and/or client meetings.
• Ability to problem solve and provide creative solutions to challenges.
• Innovative mindset - interest in pushing creative boundaries.
• Motivational leadership, providing effective feedback to the team and setting/achieving goals and deadlines.
• Proactive and willing to help fellow artists and adapt to their strengths.
• Strong communication skills with clients, managing realistic expectations and building a bond with their creative and production teams.