Senior Animator - ILM Sydney

Lucasfilm; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucasfilm in Australia seeks a Senior Animator to lead the motion design of CG characters and sequences, directing animation across shots under the guidance of the Lead Animator. The role includes mentoring junior animators, providing technical assistance to show supervisors, and ensuring high-quality output while meeting production deadlines.

The candidate should have a traditional animation background with strong modern CG expertise, plus UNIX, Maya, and shell scripting knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in traditional animation or related field.
• Extensive experience in computer animation with feature or VFX projects.
• Experience mentoring junior animators and collaborating with supervisors.

Responsibilities

• Lead creation of outstanding animation for graphics creatures and objects in a shot.
• Understand and execute direction from Lead Animator or Animation Supervisor.
• May supervise entry to mid-level animators at supervisor’s discretion.
• Provide feedback in dailies and train/mentor new animators.
• Maintain productivity and meet deadlines while delivering high quality work.
• Possibly perform hands-on shot work and motion capture reference when needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Animation principles

Creativity

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in traditional animation

Tools

Maya

UNIX

Shell scripting

Job description

Description Job Requirements Your role? Senior Animators are responsible for designing and creating the motion of computer graphics characters within a shot while overseeing the animation of a sequence of shots on a specific production. What will you be doing? Lead creation of outstanding animation for graphics creatures and objects within a shot, using various animation software programs. Understand and execute direction from Lead Animator or Animation Supervisor. May supervise the work of entry, mid and mid-high level animators at the discretion of the Animation Supervisor. Participates as a team member in determining various aesthetic solutions; provides feedback to other members of the production by attending dailies on a regular basis. Expected to train and mentor new Animators as well as provide technical assistance to the show supervisors before and during the production. Maintain or exceed a consistent level of productivity while meeting deadlines and producing high quality work. Responsible for performing other tasks related to the creation of computer-generated animation. Occasionally may be required to perform hands-on shot work on show and provide reference performances including motion capture performances as part of assigned shot work and to assist the animation team To be a contributing member of this team, you will have a mix of these skills: Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in traditional animation and four years of experience, or at least six years of experience working in computer animation with three years or more working on feature or VFX films. Completion of a minimum of two years as a Mid-Level Animator in conjunction with recommendations for advancement by the Animation Supervisors and the Department Manager. Expert understanding of traditional animation principles, acting, film production and compositional design while demonstrating exceptional skills as an animator based as evidenced by portfolio, demo reel and references. Excellent organization and communications skills Understanding of UNIX and shell scripting; expert knowledge of Maya, proprietary and other software programs. Understanding of chaining and constraint techniques. Knowledge of both the CG production pipeline and the other production processes at ILM.

JoinILM

This position is with Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC, which is part of a business segment we call Industrial Light & Magic. Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Disclaimer This position is with ILM (Australia) Pty. Ltd., which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic. To learn more about Disney's guidelines on the use of AI for candidates, click here. Having technical issues? View the FAQs for help.