Lead Motion Editor - ILM Vancouver

Industrial Light & Magic; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 100,300 - 128,300; Full time

Job summary

Industrial Light & Magic is seeking a Lead Motion Editor for their Vancouver studio. This hybrid role involves editing and retargeting motion capture animations to ensure high quality. Candidates should have a degree in Computer Science or Animation and extensive experience with relevant software.

The position requires strong collaboration skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving, as well as the ability to mentor junior team members.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in high end film VFX and an up to date showreel.
• Experience using MotionBuilder, Blender, and/or Maya with motion-captured performances.
• Ability to mentor junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Retarget and edit motion in a non-destructive way to deliver high quality animations.
• Adjust interaction and contacts between characters and props.
• Support and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Retargeting techniques

Principles of animation

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Collaboration skills

Education

Computer Science, Computer Visualisation or Computer Animation degree

Tools

MotionBuilder

Blender

Maya

Job description

Hybrid role – the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a company designated location and occasionally from home.

Position Summary

ILM Vancouver is looking for a Lead Motion Editor (Lead Motion Capture Animator) to join our team based in our Coal Harbour studio. This candidate will have proven experience in high end film/VFX or video game industry. The main responsibility will be to retarget and edit body motion of realistic motion‑captured based performances in a non‑destructive way and deliver animations to a high quality standard. We are also expecting the candidate to show solid knowledge about motion blending.

The Lead Motion Editor will focus predominantly on human, props and bipedal characters, extending to quadrupeds when required. Acts as the lead and point of contact for the discipline throughout. They will be tasked with developing new methodologies, refactoring existing workflows, troubleshooting issues, and more. The Lead Motion Editor will collaborate with the Global Moedit Supervisor and ensure the department is running smoothly. We are expecting the candidate to teach and mentor more junior team members.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for transferring motion from a hierarchy to another (retargeting) independently and proficiently.
• Adhering to the performance of the actors/actresses and improving/adjusting it in a non‑destructive way, leading to the highest quality of work.
• Adjusting interaction and contacts between characters/props/environment/terrain.
• Improving the performance by adding fingers/toe/tail animation and body adjustments that include enhancing posture, gesture and weight.
• Blending of motions, having a good eye and a good understanding of this workflow to create fluid, believable transitions between distinct animation clips.
• Support and mentor more junior members of the team, troubleshooting, teaching techniques and pushing the quality and standard.
• Leading the team on projects and helping with technical requests.
• Taking care of dailies when the supervisor is not available.

Job Requirements

Education / Experience

• Computer Science, Computer Visualisation or Computer Animation degree or equivalent experience.
• Previous experience using MotionBuilder, Blender, Nuance and/or Maya with motion‑captured performances.
• Proven experience in high end film VFX and an up to date showreel.

Required Skills / Competencies

• Great understanding of retargeting techniques.
• Great understanding of the principles of animation.
• Great attention to detail and communication skills.
• Proactive in problem solving, with a keen eye to catch, analyze and identify technical issues.
• Sharp eyes for motion, timing and posture.
• Background in using Maya, Blender, Nuance and/or Motion Builder.
• Background in using Linux and Vicon Shogun Post is a plus.
• Excellent collaborative skills.
• Eagerness to learn and develop.Capable of mentoring more junior team members.

Preferred Skills / Competencies

• Strong experience with Mocap animation.
• Maya Experience.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge about retargeting and blending techniques.

Compensation

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$100,300 to C$128,300 per year based on a 40‑hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.