Animation - Jedi Academy - ILM Vancouver (Open to Canadian Citizens & PR only)

This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.

Position Summary

Are you looking to get in the door of the exciting world of VFX? ILM’s Jedi Academy may be just the thing for you!

The Jedi Academy provides the opportunity for recently graduated students or industry artists with up to two years experience to train under our Jedi Masters.

In this paid experience, as the successful applicant in a Technical Animator role, you will be carefully placed into the Animation department and will hone your skills in both the art and science of movement. While contributing to a  wide variety of work from character and creature animation for live-action VFX and feature animation projects, you will also take on a technical mindset learning to troubleshoot complex tasks and learn to contribute to the optimization of animation tools to enhance studio workflows. You will gain experience through training and mentorship, in a fast-paced and highly collaborative production environment.

To top it off, graduates who successfully complete the program may be offered a Junior Technical Animator Artist position within the studio.

ILM strives to be an inclusive environment, and we embrace promising individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We are searching for Jedi’s who reflect the innovative spirit, creative talent, collaborative mindset and passion for great filmmaking that defines ILM.

Applications will close on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

What You Need to Know

• The Jedi Academy role is a paid 6-week placement beginning July 13, 2026

• This role is considered Hybrid, which means you will work onsite at our Vancouver studio and occasionally from home

• You will be required to work full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm

• We do not provide assistance for relocation, housing, transportation, or work authorization for the Jedi Academy

• You must be a Canadian Citizen or hold Canadian Permanent Resident status

• You will have graduated from a relevant course within the last 12 months or have up to two years of VFX experience

• As Yoda would say “Highly encouraged, cover letters are. The story behind your resume, tell us you must”

What You’ll Do

Jedi Academy artists will work closely with senior artists and may be tasked with both animated performance and technical support, including: 

• Character performance and creature animation for CG feature film and VFX projects, including work with vocal takes,dialogue scenes, camera work, vehicles, digi doubles and facial animation using modern rigs 

• Learn how to provide technical support and follow up on tickets from other departments related to Animation

• Learn the skills to collaborate on show specific solutions by helping to develop and test new animation tools, software versions and proprietary ILM workflows 

• Manage cameras, staging and composition while preparing and recording video reference for performance 

• Complete work within the timeframe bid, while mastering professional habits; including best practices for presenting work in dailies and communicating effectively within a team

• Gain knowledge and appreciation of ILM’s culture and history

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Computer Graphics, Fine Arts, Design or Photography or related OR experience working in a VFX or Animation Studio. Equivalent self-taught proficiency and a standout portfolio will also be considered

• A basic understanding of animation methods and approaches, as well as technical skills such as digital character rigging techniques  

• A good technical understanding of Maya’s animation and rigging tools and software

• Great collaborators, curious learners with a blend of creative and storytelling skills

• Reel demonstrating evidence of your work in animation, and a general understanding of CG. You may have further education in VFX, digital media or animation, but it is not a prerequisite

• Strong personal work that represents artist skills and interest in VFX

• Strong teamwork, excellent communication and interdisciplinary thinking

• Interest in and ability to quickly pick up new software and proprietary tools

• Ability to prioritize tasks and effectively communicate those tasks to other collaborators within the studio

• Some Coding/Scripting knowledge (Python) and a curiosity for using technology to solve problems and improve workflows 

• Nice to have:
  o Motion Capture data experience
  o Knowledge of Linux, Houdini, and/or Unreal

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

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