Job Summary: We are looking for a skilled Set Carpenter / wood shop Fabricator to join our production team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for constructing, shaping, and assembling sets using a variety of materials—primarily wood and production-grade cardboard. This role requires precision, creativity, and the ability to collaborate closely with designers, model makers, and the broader fabrication team. You will support the build of both full-scale and scaled sets by cutting, forming, and finishing elements that contribute directly to our visual storytelling.

Responsibilities:

• Read, interpret, and execute design blueprints, sketches, digital drafts, and fabrication drawings.
• Construct set walls, floors, ceilings, props, and support structures using wood and cardboard materials.
• Safely and accurately cut, score, laminate, and sculpt cardboard for use in structural and decorative set elements.
• Select appropriate construction materials and techniques based on design requirements.
• Construct, erect, and dismantle sets and props efficiently and safely.
• Ensure all set pieces meet safety standards for cast and crew.
• Collaborate closely with production designers, layout teams, and fabricators to ensure design fidelity and build feasibility.
• Perform maintenance, reinforcement, and repair work on existing sets and props.
• Assist with quick-turn set modifications during active production cycles.
• Organize and maintain inventory of wood, cardboard, adhesives, fasteners, and consumables.
• Maintain shop cleanliness, tool upkeep, and safe working habits.

Requirements:

• Proven experience as a Set Builder, Carpenter, Fabricator, or similar role in construction, theater, film, or production.
• Ability to read and interpret design blueprints, sketches, and measured drawings.
• Strong knowledge of woodworking tools, joinery, and fabrication techniques.
• Experience working with cardboard fabrication—cutting, laminating, reinforcing, bending, and pattern layout.
• Proficient with basic and advanced hand and power tools.
• Use of safety gear: goggles, ear protection, masks, gloves.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Woodshop tools: Table Saw, Chop Saw/Miter Saw, Nail Gun, Sanders, Grinders, Power Drills, Bandsaw, Circular Saw, Jigsaw, Oscillating Multi-Tool, Router.
• Experience with cardboard-specific tools: utility knives, scoring tools, straightedges, hot-wire cutters, and shop-safe adhesives.
• Familiarity with theater set construction, miniature fabrication, or hybrid fabrication workflows.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to solve problems creatively.

Role Overview

Set Designer Draftsman translates designs into actionable technical drawings and blueprints for set construction. They use Rhino or Vectorworks software to create floor plans, elevations, and 3D models, ensuring all designs meet safety standards, budget constraints, and the production designer's artistic vision. 

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Drawing: Create detailed working drawings, blueprints, and orthographic projections (ground plans, elevations, sections) for construction teams.
• Design Development: Translate sketches, mood boards, and concepts from the production designer or director into accurate, scaled, and buildable plans.
• Modeling: Vectorworks or Rhino to draft and model 3D structures.
• Construction Coordination: Collaborate with construction managers, art directors, and painters to ensure technical details are understood and adhered to.
• Site Surveys: Survey locations to take accurate measurements for designing sets that integrate into existing structures.
• Detailing: Incorporate precise measurements of materials, safety, and regulatory compliance into technical plans.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Proficiency in Rhino and Vectorworks
• Drafting & Technical Drawing: Strong understanding of technical drawing techniques, geometry, and spatial design.
• Knowledge of Construction: Deep understanding of building techniques, materials, and scenic construction.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to create precise, clear, and accurate drawings that convey textures and finishes.
• Collaboration & Communication: Ability to translate artistic visions into technical specs and work with different departments.

Job Summary:

Swaybox Studios is seeking a highly skilled Lead CG Environment Modeler to help craft immersive worlds through meticulously designed environments. Working from concept art, reference materials, or the Director’s brief, you'll be responsible for overseeing and building assets that not only support the narrative, but also elevate the visual language of the production. This role is the bridge between practical fabrication and our digital world.

As a Lead CG Environment Modeler, you will be supporting the modeling needs between the Practical Set Fabrication team and the VFX team. This role is hands- on, collaborative, and provides support in early R&D. You will be responsible for ensuring the team adheres to the modeling standards and procedures throughout pre-production and production of the film. Your expertise will help shape and refine the pipeline and handoff, while fostering a collaborative and efficient team environment.

Work Location: New Orleans, LA

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and refine digital models for sets, props, and vehicles based on provided references, concept art, or directorial feedback.
• Ensure models meet both aesthetic and technical requirements for layout and lighting & rendering pipelines. 
• Work closely with the art and production teams to maintain visual consistency across practical and CG environment extensions.
• Lead team in determining LOD and complexity; taking model builds from Rhino (Rhinoceros 3D) into Maya, and adjusting, where necessary, for CG needs with organized, efficient, polygonal topology that maintain the stylistic shapes.
• Independently translate designs with minimal oversight: while maintaining fidelity and consistent shape language to proportion, style, and silhouette.
• Collaborate with the VFX Supervisor, Art Director, and Production Designer to determine the best split lines, to fit the needs for each of the environments and departments.
• Participate in scheduling and bidding needs for the modelling aspect of the department.
• Stay up to date with emerging tools, technologies, and modeling methods to enhance efficiency and output.

Required Qualifications:

• 3+ years experience as a set or environment modeler on high-end film, television, or cinematics with a strong emphasis on realism. 
• Previous leadership experience.
• Strong proficiency in Maya, ZBrush, Mudbox, Blender, or other 3D, industry-standard, modeling softwares.
• Ability to translate 2D artwork into 3D models.
• Thorough understanding of holding edge needs, when smoothing or not smoothing models, and ability to determine when each is best used.
• Solid understanding of scale, composition, and modular design for environments.
• Ability to model both stylized and realistic environments with attention to storytelling detail.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative pipeline with evolving creative direction.
• Ability to revise work based on feedback in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new toolsets and willing to expand knowledge of toolsets.
• Knowledge of the modeling needs to hand off to VFX for accurate texturing and look development workflows.
• Deep understanding of dimension, scale, perspective, and overall spatial awareness.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt quickly to unique or proprietary workflows.
• An artistic mindset and willingness to receive and implement constructive feedback, whether that’s with draw-overs, over the shoulder adjustments, or team meetings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Solid understanding of modelling in Rhino (Rhinoceros 3D), or other architectural/industrial modelling programs is a plus.
• Layout and UV experience is a plus.
• Basic experience with Unreal Engine or other real-time rendering tools.
• Familiarity with scripting or tool development (e.g. Python, MEL, etc.) to support pipeline enhancements.
• Background in architecture, industrial design, or scenic/set design.
• Familiarity with hybrid workflows.

Position Summary

Swaybox Studios is seeking a talented and detail-oriented Set Layout Designer with strong proficiency in Rhino 3D to join our dynamic production team. The ideal candidate will have a solid foundation in cinematic set design, spatial composition, and visual storytelling, with the ability to conceptualize and build immersive environments using Rhino as a primary modeling and drafting tool.

You will be instrumental in translating storyboards and scripts into tangible set blueprints, 3D layouts, and visual guides that directly inform the fabrication and animation pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with directors, production designers, and storyboard artists to create set layouts that align with the visual and narrative goals of each project.
• Translate concept art, storyboards, and production notes into Rhino-based technical layouts, blocking, and spatial arrangements.
• Develop detailed 3D models, set drawings, floor plans, and elevation designs in Rhino 3D, maintaining accuracy for fabrication and animation workflows.
• Generate scale-accurate models, set pieces, and scene geometry in Rhino for use by Fabrication, Stage/Camera, and Performance teams.
• Ensure sets are designed with camera angles, character movement, lighting, and puppet/animation scale in mind.
• Integrate story and visual language to craft environments that enhance character performance and narrative intent.
• Adjust and revise layouts based on creative feedback, technical constraints, and fabrication requirements.
• Work closely with model makers, set fabricators, and CG teams to ensure layout feasibility, build accuracy, and production efficiency.
• Maintain consistency of design style and quality across sequences and shots.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Animation, Film, Illustration, Architecture, Industrial Design, or related field—or equivalent professional experience.
• 2+ years of experience in layout or set design for animation, film, or television.
• Strong proficiency in Rhino 3D, including modeling, drafting, and preparing files for fabrication.
• Strong understanding of scale, spatial reasoning, and set geometry, with the ability to accurately translate designs into Rhino-based technical models.
• Ability to troubleshoot and optimize Rhino files for fabrication, 3D printing, or stage use.
• Familiarity with additional design or visualization tools (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, Blender, or Maya).
• Ability to interpret scripts and storyboards into visually dynamic and practical set designs.
• Excellent communication, organization, and collaboration skills.
• Passion for storytelling and world-building.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience preparing Rhino models for CNC, laser cutting, or other digital fabrication methods.
• Experience using Rhino alongside other pipelines (e.g., Blender, Maya, Unreal, CAD) and exporting files in compatible formats.
• Experience with practical set builds or puppetry-based productions.
• Familiarity with stop-motion or hybrid puppet-animation pipelines.
• Knowledge of lighting and camera placement for physical or digital sets.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, iterative creative environment.