Senior Motion Editor - ILM Vancouver

The Walt Disney Company; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 87,200 - 111,600; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company is seeking a Senior Motion Editor based in Vancouver. This hybrid role involves editing and retargeting motion-captured performances, ensuring high-quality animation work.

Candidates should hold a degree in Computer Science or equivalent, with experience using MotionBuilder, Blender, and Maya. You'll mentor junior members and improve creative performance. The hiring range is C$87,200 to C$111,600 per year.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Computer Visualisation, or Animation.
• Experience with MotionBuilder, Blender, or Maya.
• Proven experience in high-end film VFX with an up-to-date showreel.

Responsibilities

• Retarget and edit body motion from motion-captured performances.
• Adhere to actor performances for high-quality results.
• Adjust interactions between characters and environment.
• Support and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Retargeting techniques

Principles of animation

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Problem solving

Motion, timing, and posture analysis

Maya

Blender

Nuance

MotionBuilder

Education

Computer Science degree or equivalent experience

Tools

MotionBuilder

Blender

Nuance

Maya

Job description

Position Summary

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home. ILM Vancouver is looking for a Senior Motion Editor (Senior 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 standards. We are also expecting the candidate to show solid knowledge about motion blending. The Senior Motion Editor will focus predominantly on human, props and bipedal characters, extending to quadrupeds when required. 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 includes 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

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

• Experience with Mocap animation
• Maya Experience

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge about Retargeting and Blending techniques

As part of your application please submit a demo reel, shot breakdown, or equivalent showcasing your work. A current resume is required.

JoinILM

The hiring range for this position in Vancouver is C$87,200 to C$111,600 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.