VFX Producer

Weta Digital is one of the world’s premier visual effects companies.

Led by Senior Visual Effects Supervisor Joe Letteri, Weta Digital is known for its culture of creativity and innovation. From Gollum to Caesar, Middle-earth to Pandora, the studio has created some of the most memorable characters and worlds of the last twenty years.

We are currently taking VFX Producer expressions of interest for future opportunities in 2018. 

Job Purpose:
Responsible, alongside the VFX Supervisor, for strategising, implementing and managing targets and relationships specific to the VFX delivery of a feature film project. Responsible for managing project budget and overseeing the schedule and workflow of the Show Production team. This is a client facing role. Reports to the Executive Producer. 

Needs to Do
Key Responsibilities:

• Bidding / Client Liaison / Project Delivery
  • Ensure all VFX show deliverables are determined, built into the contracted schedule and delivered on time
  • Liaise directly with the client to ensure work is progressing as per contracted
  • schedule and manage all change orders
  • Generate payment and key milestone schedules
  • Manage client expectations
• Budget
  • Manage the contracted VFX budget for a feature film project
  • Monitor overall Bid vs Actuals
• Reports
  • Provide weekly cost and schedule reports to Executive VFX Producer and Head of Production
• Tracking:
  • Track all turnovers, assets, shots, finals, editorial updates, marketing requests and change orders
• Internal Communications & Reporting
  • Manage internal communication between the VFX Supervisors, Leads, Heads of Departments and Show Production; and anticipate and communicate issues in order to resolve problems quickly
  • Maintain weekly internal client status reports
• Scheduling / Resource Management:
  • Maintain oversight of Production Manager’s schedule according to the scope of VFX work required on the show
  • Ensure scheduled targets are being hit; and, if not, troubleshoot and resolve any scheduling conflicts, issues or delays
  • Forecast resource requirements with the VFX Production Manager, VFX Supervisor and Resource Manager to plan an effective and efficient approach to completing the show within contractually agreed deadlines.
• Manage Show Production Team
  • Set up and maintain best-practice methodology typical of a television VFX pipeline; including client relations, internal communications, scheduling, budgeting, database maintenance, reporting and tracking.
• Above and Beyond:
  • Positive, upbeat and professional
  • Pro-active and solution-orientated

Needs to know and have
Essential Skills:

• Good flair for dealing with clients – knows the right tone and urgency without leading to misunderstandings
• Highly organised and detail-oriented; with first-class time/project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to remain calm and confident in a fast-paced environment
• Capable of motivating and leading teams on various projects with confidence and clarity
• Lateral thinking skills
• Proficient in production database tools e.g. Shotgun

Essential Experience:

• Proven experience with VFX workflows, pipelines and turnarounds
• A minimum of 2 years of experience at a VFX Line Producer level or in a similar senior production role at a VFX facility
• An in-depth understanding of live-action and CG based VFX workflows, pipeline and schedule
• Proven track record of client-facing project management and scheduling
• Responsible for the efficient running of a show through all departments within budget and to contracted deadlines.

Needs to:

• Bid the Show
• Forecast resources for the show using inhouse Forecasting Tools.
• Schedule & plan resource requirements with the Executive VFX Producer, VFX Supervisor & Head of Production
• Provide weekly cost and schedule reports to Executive VFX Producer and Head of Production
• Ensure the VFX team understands the goals and deadlines for assets, shots, sequences and any R&D projects required.
• Ensure scheduled targets are being met by troubleshooting and resolving any scheduling conflicts, issues or delays.
• Track turnovers and ensure we are tracking to contract and budget.
• Track editorial updates & changes ensuring the production database is current and aligned with change orders.
• Track client change orders and ensure the VFX team are aware of budget changes approved to progress.
• Ensure the production team is running efficiently by attending reviews, rounds & meetings.
• Arrange and/or attend senior VFX Supervisor reviews & Director reviews.
• Ensure artist schedules are being managed efficiently.
• Approve requested overtime as necessary. Ensure the Production team are managing the amount of overtime pre-approved.
• Approve artist timesheets and leave

Requirements are:

• A minimum of 5 years experience as a Producer in Feature Film VFX.
• Proven experience successfully Producing large projects within a facility.
• Onset experience preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of database systems (preferably Filemaker), Excel & Word.
• Proven experience managing artists and working with clients.
• Organized and methodical in approach to work.
• Clear planning with artists, supervisors & clients.
• Capable of motivating and leading teams with enthusiasm.
• Able to troubleshoot & solve problems.
• Calm and personable under pressure and when working to tight deadlines.

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you!
Please apply for consideration at https://careers.wetafx.co.nz/jobs/528?a=smartrecruiters