All 3D models intended for animation require a control rig. The Rigging Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the artistic and technical quality of all rigs created for a production.
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The Work
All 3D models intended for animation require a control rig.
The Rigging Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the artistic and technical quality of all rigs created for a production.
This is an important and senior role. Both the technical and artistic expectations are very high.
Rigs must deliver photorealistic performances while being animator-friendly and computationally efficient.
Animation needs can change throughout a production, so the rigging supervisors must define standards to ensure rigs are customisable, reusable, scaleable, and pipeline friendly.
Role and Responsibilities
- Rig Creation & Maintenance: The creation and upkeep of efficient rigs for a variety of assets, including props, vehicles, characters, and other CG objects requiring animation.
- Pipeline Collaboration: Work closely with the CG supervisor and pipeline departments to define the rigging pipeline, encompassing inputs, outputs, naming conventions, scripts, and tools.
- Animation Brief Analysis: Assess animation briefs to distinguish between essential animation needs and additional desires, ensuring that rigs meet the necessary performance standards.
- Technical Problem Solving: Address and resolve complex rigging challenges, such as those related to crowds and motion capture, ensuring that rigs function seamlessly within the production environment.
- Cross-Department Communication: Maintain continuous and effective communication with the animation and modeling teams to ensure that all rigs meet the required artistic and technical standards.
- Production Coordination: Collaborate with production to ensure that staffing, schedules, and delivery timelines are adhered to, facilitating smooth project progression.
- Quality Assurance: Oversee the quality assurance of rigs, providing constructive feedback to rigging TDs to ensure that rigs deliver optimal performance and are both animator- and pipeline-friendly.
- Documentation & Mentorship: Manage show-wide rigging workflow documentation, mentor team members, and disseminate information to ensure consistency and knowledge sharing across the department.
- Continuous Learning: Stay abreast of new tools, software, and advancements in the rigging pipeline to continually enhance department capabilities.
Works with:
- CG Supervisor
- Lighting Supervisor
- Modeling Supervisor
- VFX Supervisor
- Line Producer
- VFX Producer
Qualities - Rigging Supervisor - Visual Effects
Is this role right for me?
To succeed at this job, you need:
Several years experience in the rigging department, with knowledge and experience of creating a variety of different rigging solutions.
Excellent understanding of anatomy and kinesiology. Can give precise and constructive criticism/feedback.
Excellent technical skills and an in-depth knowledge CG production, particularly in areas such as rigging, CG theory, coding, and tool development.
An in-depth understanding of modeling, animation, and FX rigging requirements with a broader show-wide vision for how rigs will deliver on these requirements.
The experience to foresee and plan for particularly time consuming/complex tasks and to budget and schedule for these appropriately.
Great organisational skills and ability to manage a technical department while meeting production timetables and budgets.
Great interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to anticipate and solve issues and conflicts.
Ability to manage and mentor a team.
Interests - Rigging Supervisor - Visual Effects
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Entry - Rigging Supervisor - Visual Effects
Last Updated: June, 2025
Pay & Salary - Rigging Supervisor - Visual Effects
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