Look Development Artist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sony Pictures Animation, the creative engine behind groundbreaking visual storytelling like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, is seeking a visionary Lead FX Artist. Based in the historic production hub of Culver City, Los Angeles, this role offers a rare opportunity to define the visual effects language for the highly anticipated Ghostbusters CG animated series.

As the Lead FX Artist, you will be the primary architect of the show’s supernatural aesthetic. This project is a bold, stylized expansion of the iconic franchise, blending classic supernatural comedy with grounded horror. You won’t just be executing shots; you will be creating the “DNA” of the FX—from the iconic proton streams to entirely new spectral phenomena—that will define the look of the series from the ground up.

Project Ghostbusters (Upcoming CG Animated Series)

Job Title Lead FX Artist

Location Culver City, Los Angeles, CA (Hybrid: 2 days onsite)

Job Type Full-time / Contract (Union benefits apply)

Salary Range $2,761.56 – $3,000.00 per week

Primary Software Houdini (Expert), Maya, Nuke, Redshift/RenderMan

Experience 5+ Years in Animation, VFX, or Games

The Vision: A New Era of Ghostbusting

Sony Pictures Animation prides itself on empowering filmmakers and allowing the “hand of the artist” to be felt in every frame. For the Ghostbusters series, we are looking for an artist who can bridge the gap between feature‑film quality and the fast‑paced energy of episodic television.

You will develop high‑quality stylized FX that maintain a “painterly” and textured detail up close while reading as grounded and real from a distance. This role requires a balance of technical Houdini mastery and a sophisticated artistic eye for timing, appeal, and emotional impact.

This is a high‑level creative and technical role that involves both internal development and external vendor management.

1. Look Development & Authoring

• FX Language Design: Work directly with the Executive Producer, Production Designer, and Art Director to develop the “Visual Effects Style Guide” for the entire series.
• Houdini Mastery: Design and author complex Houdini‑based setups for simulations. These templates must be robust, scalable, and intuitive for execution.
• Stylized Innovation: Experiment with brush‑based or painterly looks to ensure the FX feel integrated into the show’s unique art style rather than looking like “off‑the‑shelf” simulations.
• Template Handoff: Package your development files and FX templates for efficient use by our partner shot production studios overseas.
• Creative Feedback: Review FX work submitted by the partner studio. You will provide constructive, timely feedback and draw up FX breakdowns to ensure the external team hits the quality bar you’ve established.
• Scope Management: Review FX bids from partner studios. Collaborate with the production team and EPs to find creative solutions that bring complex FX ideas into a manageable scope without sacrificing quality.

3. Cross-Functional Synergy

• Comp Integration: Work closely with the Compositing Supervisor to iterate on looks. You will often go through multiple rounds of creative refinement to ensure the FX integrate seamlessly into the final lighting.
• Strategic Advice: Analyze animatics, mattes, and lighting concepts to provide feedback on “FX producibility.” You are the authority on what can be achieved within the timeframe and budget.

Your Toolkit: Qualifications

We are looking for a TV veteran with the soul of a feature artist.

Technical Requirements:

• Professional Experience: 5+ years of experience in CG FX. While we value feature experience, a background in high‑end episodic animation is a significant plus.
• Houdini Expert: You should be comfortable in the deepest corners of Houdini.
• Coding Proficiency: A strong understanding of VEX and Python is required for creating procedural workflows and custom tools.
• Multi-Platform Skill: Proficiency in Maya and Nuke. Experience with Redshift or RenderMan is essential for understanding how your FX will eventually render.
• Dynamics & Timing: A solid grasp of physical dynamics, but more importantly, an understanding of how to “break” physics for stylized, appealing motion.

Logistical Requirements:

• Hybrid Presence: This role is based in Los Angeles. You must be able to work in the Culver City office at least 2 days per week, with Wednesdays being a mandatory in‑person day for team alignment.

Sony Pictures Animation is a union‑supported environment.

• Base Salary: The anticipated weekly salary is $2,761.56 to $3,000.00, depending on experience, portfolio strength, and individual factors.
• Union Benefits: This position qualifies for comprehensive benefits pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
• Creative Culture: Work in a world‑class studio environment that encourages bold, innovative visual storytelling and rewards artistic risk‑taking.

How to Apply

We want to see the “hand of the artist” in your work.

Submission Guidelines:

• Resume: Detail your Lead or Senior experience on specific projects.
• Portfolio Link: Provide a link to your reel. Crucial: Please include any passwords required to view your work directly in your resume or cover letter.
• Breakdown: Be prepared to explain your technical approach to the setups shown in your reel.

Sony Pictures Animation is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and evaluate all qualified applicants without regard to protected characteristics.

Lead FX Artist at Sony Pictures Animation