Virtual Production Artist

**Position Summary**

**Key Responsibilities**
- **Real-Time World Building**: Create, manage, and optimize large-scale 3D environments, virtual sets, and levels directly within Unreal Engine (UE5 preferred).
- **Cinematic Look Development**: Be the primary owner of scene lighting, atmosphere, and visual look. Set up and art direct dynamic lighting, post-process effects, and materials to establish the film's aesthetic.
- **Asset Pipeline Integration**: Import, clean up, and optimize 3D assets (characters, props, environments) from DCC tools (Maya, Blender, Houdini) to ensure they meet real-time performance and visual standards in UE.
- **Cinematic Sequencing**: Utilize **Unreal Engine's Sequencer** tool to block out shots, choreograph cameras, manage scene assembly, and create pre-visualization (pre-vis) and final cinematic sequences.
- **Real-Time Rendering**: Execute final, high-quality cinematic renders using the **Movie Render Queue/Graph** to deliver final frames for the animation pipeline, bypassing traditional render farms.
- **Blueprint Scripting**: Use Unreal's visual scripting system, **Blueprint**, to develop and automate pipeline tools, custom functionalities, and real-time interactive elements for the virtual production stage.
- **Optimization and Performance**: Continuously profile and optimize scenes for smooth real-time performance, balancing visual fidelity with frame rate efficiency (critical for cost savings).
- **Collaboration**: Work closely with the Director, Animation Lead, and Technical Directors to translate artistic vision into a functional, high-quality real-time environment.

**Nature of Work and Responsibilities**
- Nature of Work
- The Unreal Artist's role is defined by **real-time efficiency and continuous iteration**.
- Core work involves **constructing, lighting, and finalizing the virtual world** for the animation.
- Includes **Environment Creation**: building and sculpting extensive landscapes, sets, and digital backdrops directly within the engine.
- Responsible for **Cinematic Look Development**: establishing the film's atmosphere by optimizing dynamic lighting, shadows, and surface properties.
- Critical job component is **Cinematic Sequencing and Layout**: blocking out shots, choreographing virtual cameras, and assembling the final scene.
- Manages the entire **Real-Time Rendering** process, delivering final-quality frames much faster than traditional pipelines to achieve significant **time and cost savings**.
- Requires a constant balance between **artistic ambition and technical performance**; optimization of assets is key.
- Acts as the central nexus connecting 3D assets into a **coherent, performance-ready, and visually stunning** virtual production stage.
- **Software to Know and Use**_
- **Real-Time Engine Mastery**:Unreal Engine (UE5)** is the absolute priority.
- Specific UE Tools**:Sequencer** for cinematic staging, the **Material Editor** for PBR surfaces, and **Blueprint** for scripting and automation.
- **3D Content Creation (DCC)**:Autodesk Maya** or **Blender** are essential for handling and optimizing incoming assets.
- **Texturing and Materials**: Tools like **Substance Painter** and **Substance Designer** are necessary for detailed texture work and PBR material creation.
- **Version Control**:Perforce** is the standard system for managing large production asset libraries.
- **Advanced Tools and Effects**: Knowledge of **Quixel Bridge** (for Megascans assets) and the **Niagara** particle system for visual effects is highly advantageous.

**Office Location**: Goregaon West Mumbai

**Work Experience**: 0 to 24 Months
- **Skill Set Needed**_

**A. Core Technical Skills**
- **Unreal Engine Mastery**: Deep understanding of the engine's real-time rendering architecture (e.g., **Lumen** for global illumination, **Nanite** for high-poly geometry).
- **Cinematography**: Strong technical knowledge of virtual cameras, lenses, composition, and editing principles within a real-time context.
- **Shading & PBR**: Expertise in creating complex, optimized, Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials using the Material Editor.
- **Optimization**: Proficient in asset auditing, profiling, and optimizing complex scenes to maintain target frame rates and memory limits.
- **Scripting Foundation**: Practical experience with **Blueprint Visual Scripting** for creating efficient production tools and scene logic.

**B. Core Artistic Skills**
- **Lighting & Color Theory**: Exceptional eye for dramatic, cinematic lighting and color grading to convey mood and narrative.
- **Environment Design**: Strong sense of scale, atmosphere, and visual storytelling in the creation of environments.
- **Composition & Detail**: Ability to frame visually arresting shots and ensure visual continuity and quality across all assets.
- **Problem-Solving**: A highly creative and technical mind capable of finding real-time solutions to complex visual challenges.

**C. Soft Skills (Critical for Pipeline Suc