How to Get Hired at THE THIRD FLOOR
What THE THIRD FLOOR actually looks for in game artists, how the hiring process works, salary ranges by role, and how to build a portfolio that passes their bar.
Get THE THIRD FLOOR Job Alerts →THE THIRD FLOOR at a Glance
Art Style and Games
Previs Storytelling
THE THIRD FLOOR specializes in pre-visualization — rough 3D animation that helps directors plan shots before filming. Speed and spatial storytelling matter more than polish.
Postvis / Turnovers
After principal photography, postvis artists replace on-set temp VFX with cleaned-up digital elements before final VFX vendors take over. Frame-accuracy is critical.
Virtual Production
Working with LED volumes and real-time Unreal Engine environments, TTF artists create in-camera VFX content that shoots simultaneously with live action.
Compositing & Tracking
Match-move and compositing roles support the full previs-to-postvis pipeline. Experience with Nuke, PFTrack, and 3D camera solvers is expected.
The Hiring Process at THE THIRD FLOOR
Portfolio / Reel Review
TTF hires based on reel quality and specific software skills. For previs roles, show character animation timing and shot composition. For compositing, show a breakdown reel with tracking accuracy.
Department Review
Your reel goes directly to the department head — animation, compositing, or VFX. HR involvement is minimal at this stage for experienced hires.
Technical Skills Test
Animators may receive a short blocking pass test. Compositors may receive a Nuke project to grade and integrate. Matchmove artists may receive raw footage to solve.
Senior / Supervisor Interview
A conversation about your workflow, experience on specific project types (film, TV, streaming), and your ability to work under short deadlines and changing shot priorities.
Offer and Onboarding
Contracts at TTF are often project-based. Confirm project length, whether the role can extend, and what the pipeline software stack is before accepting.
Salary Ranges at THE THIRD FLOOR
Estimates based on industry data, DB listings, and comparable studios. Actual offers vary by role seniority, location, and negotiation.
| Role | Level | Salary (USD / CAD) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Previs Animator | Mid-level | USD / CAD 46,750 – 110,500 | Los Angeles |
| Previs Animator | Senior | USD / CAD 55,000 – 130,000 | Los Angeles |
| Postvis Animator | Mid-level | USD / CAD 46,750 – 110,500 | Los Angeles |
| Postvis Animator | Senior | USD / CAD 55,000 – 130,000 | Los Angeles |
| Compositor | Mid-level | USD / CAD 46,750 – 110,500 | Los Angeles |
| Compositor | Senior | USD / CAD 55,000 – 130,000 | Los Angeles |
| Matchmove Artist | Mid-level | USD / CAD 46,750 – 110,500 | Los Angeles |
| Matchmove Artist | Senior | USD / CAD 55,000 – 130,000 | Los Angeles |
Portfolio Tips by Discipline
Previs Animators
Speed beats polish. Show you can block out legible character action in a film-appropriate setting. Include camera work — previs requires both animation and cinematography sense.
Compositing Artists
Your Nuke breakdown reel is everything. Show clean integration work — keying, tracking, color match. TTF works with raw on-set plates, so messy footage handling is expected.
VFX Generalists
TTF values artists who can move between departments. If you can animate, composite, and handle basic FX, say so. Generalists get more project variety.
Matchmove / Tracking Artists
Show your solve accuracy on difficult footage — handheld, lens distortion, low contrast. PFTrack and 3DEqualizer experience is strongly preferred over SynthEyes.
Before You Apply
THE THIRD FLOOR works project-to-project. Roles open when productions need previs and close when they wrap. Having strong Nuke and Maya skills ensures faster transitions between projects.
Get Notified When THE THIRD FLOOR Hires
ArtBlast sends new art job listings daily. When THE THIRD FLOOR posts a role, subscribers see it within hours.
$5/month or $50/year. Cancel anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does THE THIRD FLOOR do?
THE THIRD FLOOR is the largest previs and virtual production studio in the world. They create pre-visualization and post-visualization for major film and TV productions including Star Wars and Marvel films.
Is THE THIRD FLOOR hiring game artists?
TTF primarily hires animators, compositors, and VFX artists with film and TV backgrounds. Artists with strong Maya and Nuke skills transitioning from games are occasionally hired.
What software does THE THIRD FLOOR use?
THE THIRD FLOOR uses Maya for animation and modeling, Nuke for compositing, PFTrack and 3DEqualizer for matchmove, and increasingly Unreal Engine for virtual production work.
What are salaries like at THE THIRD FLOOR?
Based on Vancouver rates from DB listings, entry-level compositor and matchmove roles range from approximately CAD 55,000-75,000. Senior roles and supervisors reach CAD 90,000-130,000+.
Are THE THIRD FLOOR roles project-based?
Yes. Most roles at TTF are tied to specific productions. Permanent staff roles exist for supervisors and department leads. Junior and mid-level artists often work on multi-month contracts tied to active projects.
THE THIRD FLOOR has posted these roles recently
These listings are archived. Subscribe to ArtBlast for current openings.