Lead Compositor

Company Description

Harbor is a leading global production and post-production company specializing in creative and technical services for the film, television, and advertising industries. We work with some of the world's leading movie studios and advertising agencies and collaborate with award winning filmmakers to create outstanding motion pictures that captivates audiences and tells compelling stories across all visual platforms.

At Harbor, we value talent, artistry, and innovation. Harbor was founded on the principle of protecting creative intent of filmmakers by bringing all disciples under one roof for an elevated creative experience. This cross collaboration across film craft is what sets us apart and is the core of our work and the reason for our existence. We are committed to continuous growth and improvement, while staying true to our principles and values. The well-being of our team is a top priority, and we strive to create a supportive and respectful environment. At Harbor, we know that teamwork is essential to achieving extraordinary results. We are driven by ambition, and excited about the possibilities that the future holds.

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Lead Compositor to join our team and contribute to our continued growth and success. The Lead Compositor is an integral member of the 2D department. They manage a job from start to finish, and therefore must have excellent organizational and leadership skills. They must have a complete understanding of the VFX pipeline and other departments such as editorial, color and sound. They must have the communication skills to manage and lead projects with other artists, and the confidence to present their team’s work to clients. The Lead Compositor oversees a team of Compositors and Associate Compositors, and will assign and critique their team’s work, but above all provide mentorship to their junior artists. The Lead Compositor will require the same creative and technical attributes as a VFX Supervisor.

The Lead Compositor must also have the confidence and ability to manage clients, coordinating and guiding them through a group creative process, often with a great deal of diplomacy to achieve a result which is satisfactory to all. Although a Lead Compositor is initially not expected to have their own client base, they are expected to build one by developing and working in tandem with young creative talent.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Conforming and managing complex projects under tight deadlines
• Bidding projects from scripts and storyboards
• Engaging in calls and meetings with directors, advertising agencies and brands
• Managing dailies with their team of artists
• Managing external and inter office workshare
• Building a strong client base by sourcing and developing relationships with young creative talent and clients.
• Working closely with the Leadership team and fellow Lead Compositors to research, develop and implement new technology and creative ideas
• Compositing Live action plates, CG renders and a combination of both
• Working collaboratively with other members of the Compositing team and other departments and locations
• Extracting mattes from blue/green screen photography using Keylight, Primatte or IBK
• Strong understanding of 2D and 3D camera tracking
• Strong understanding of photoreal CG integration into live action plates
• Strong understanding of set extensions
• Create complex matte painting projections utilizing 3D cameras and geometry
• Advanced beauty work
• Advanced car augmentation
• Understanding of photoreal full CG compositing
• Paint and rotoscoping
• Mentoring junior artists
• Other responsibilities, as needed and required

Qualifications

Required Skills/Abilities:

Essentials

• Advanced Experience in Compositing with Nuke and Flame for complex VFX projects 
• Strong understanding of the VFX process, and ability to bid work accurately
• Strong Leadership skills
• Excellent people and communication skills
• A strong creative eye and artistic skills
• Sound aesthetic with good understanding of color, light and photography
• Strong problem-solving skills
• A team player with a great attitude
• Dependable and flexible
• Takes feedback and direction well
• Exercises close attention to detail
• Ability to work under tight deadlines

Technical skills

• Strong technical knowledge of Nuke and Flame
• Strong technical knowledge of conforming and deliverables
• Basic knowledge of onset VFX supervision techniques
• Understanding of CG rendering and compositing multi-channel EXRs
• Advanced understanding of 2D and 3D tracking
• Highly proficient in using IBK, Primatte, Keylight or other keying techniques
• Excellent knowledge of Nuke and Flame’s 3D system
• Strong understanding of colorspace pipelines
• Solid knowledge of cameras, film resolutions, aspect ratios and lenses
• Knowledge of other VFX software such as Maya or Mocha is an advantage

Experience

• Completed a degree in VFX or equivalent professional experience
• Strong experience working in the VFX Industry
• Experience in leading client facing jobs

Additional Information

EEO Statement:

Harbor Picture Company Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.