Zoic Studios

BC - Senior Groom Artist

Grooming - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Contracted

Senior Groom Artist

This position is onsite, based in Vancouver, BC. (Some remote work may be considered) All applicants must reside in the lower Mainland of BC, Canada. 

About Zoic 
Zoic Studios is a Visual Effects company that specializes in high end visual effects for television, film, and advertising. Our mantra is Visual Evolution - we focus on every part of the process, from the final picture to the pipeline used to create them.   

Are you looking for your next creative and technical challenge? Come join our team!  

Why Join Zoic? 

  • We are an Artist owned and operated VFX studio. 
  • We love what we do and always stay curious about new technology and techniques. 
  • We respect work/life balance in a hectic industry. 
  • We work with a team from all walks of life and backgrounds. 

There’s an exciting project that we’ll be working on at Zoic. It's a stop-motion animated feature that will continue into Fall of 2025. 

For this particular show Zoic employees assigned to the project will be working within our Zoic Vancouver Studios, in the Gastown Area (close to Waterfront Station Downtown).  Coming together as a team within our studio will help create the excitement and positive work environment we want for this special project.

Summary of Position
The Groom Artist is responsible for the creation, delivery, and maintenance of high-level hair, fur, feathers, and other forms of grooming for digital characters and environments within LAIKA’s VFX department. This position works closely with Asset Leads and Asset Supervisor to provide technical and aesthetic assistance with expertise to achieve the desired result.

Job Functions 

  • Create, maintain, improve, and support fur, hair, feather, and environment grooms through VFX production utilizing Houdini and proprietary tools.
  • Create and maintain Houdini templates and toolsets/HDAs used in groom creation.
  • Assess references and reproduce assets with great attention to detail and efficiency.
  • Work closely with all disciplines within the Asset department to troubleshoot creative and technical issues.
  • Interact with the VFX and Rigging department to maintain and create proper workflows to achieve dynamic results within the asset debrief.
  • Perform basic modeling, texturing, look dev, and rendering tasks for groom development as needed.
  • Communicate effectively with Production, Asset Leads, Developers and the Asset Supervisor to consistently produce high-quality work while meeting deadlines.

Qualifications 

  • 3+ years of CG/VFX grooming experience on feature films.
  • Strong knowledge of Maya and Houdini.
  • Strong understanding of VEX is preferred.
  • Experience building a wide variety of grooms (fur, hair, feather, environment grooms, etc.).
  • Strong knowledge of procedural workflows in Houdini that goes beyond the grooming tools.
  • Knowledge of Houdini, USD, Katana, Renderman, Mari, Zbrush, Karma, and Solaris.
  • Background in visual arts/design with a strong understanding of form and movement, preferred.
  • Proficiency working in a Linux environment.
  • Asset skills such as modeling, texturing, look dev, required.
  • Experience with python, a plus.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Able to learn and adapt to challenges.
In person and by telephone. The employee must lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee works under typical office conditions and is exposed to variable indoor temperatures. The noise level is usually quiet or moderate.

Additional information

  • British Columbia Employees Pay Range: $50 - $65 (The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position)
  • Candidates MUST be located in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia.  This Role requires the candidate to work onsite, within our Vancouver Studio in Gastown. (Some remote work may be considered)
  • Zoic does not cover relocation costs.
  • Any and all remote positions require the candidate to have a reliable internet connection via ethernet and work on Pacific Standard Time.
  • This job description contains the basic requirements for the position and is NOT intended to be a complete list of responsibilities; other duties may be assigned.
  • Due to the sheer volume of applications we receive, we regret that only those selected to interview will be contacted.

This position is based in Vancouver. All applicants must reside in British Columbia.

Permanent Residents and Canadians only, please.,

Apply: BC - Senior Groom Artist
* Required fields
First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Location *
Phone number*
Resume*

Attach resume or Paste resume

Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or paste resume

Paste your resume here or attach resume file

Cover Letter*
Who referred you to this position? Enter their first and last name here.
What’s your citizenship / employment eligibility?*
LinkedInLinkedIn profile URL:
Website, blog or portfolio:
Desired salary*
Earliest start date?*
References: Please enter names and contact information:
What is your desired Hourly Rate?*
Eligible to work in Canada? Please check at least one option:*
If you have an Open Work Permit, when does it expire?
Where do you currently reside?*
How did you hear about this job?*
How many years of production experience do you have?
Human Check*