Industrial Light & Magic hiring Feature Animator, UK

Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) London is currently inviting applications for the position of Animator. We are looking for visionary artists across Junior, Mid, and Senior levels to join our London studio and contribute to an upcoming slate of high-profile feature animation projects. Founded by George Lucas in 1975, ILM remains the global vanguard of visual effects and animation. This is a chance to work at the intersection of legendary storytelling and pioneering technology.

As an Animator at ILM, you will be responsible for imbuing digital characters with the weight, emotion, and performance necessary to captivate audiences worldwide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Character Performance: Use Autodesk Maya to animate high-quality characters, creatures, and objects. You must demonstrate a deep understanding of acting, timing, and weight.
• Reference and Research: Actively shoot and analyze video reference of your own performances or real-world physics to drive the authenticity of your animation.
• Collaboration and Dailies: Attend regular dailies to present work-in-progress. As an Animator, you must be able to articulate your creative choices and pivot quickly based on feedback from the Animation Supervisor.
• Technical Integration: Work within the CG production pipeline, collaborating with riggers and lighters to ensure that your animation translates perfectly through the final render.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Mid and Senior-level Animator hires will be expected to guide entry-level talent, providing feedback and troubleshooting technical issues to elevate the team’s collective output.
• Deadline Management: Maintain high productivity in a fast-paced environment, meeting production milestones without compromising the “ILM standard” of quality.

Candidate Requirements:

• A strong portfolio or demo reel that showcases a range of performances (e.g., subtle acting, physical action, and creature locomotion).
• Expert knowledge of the 12 Principles of Animation (squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, etc.).
• A keen eye for compositional design and cinematography.
• Familiarity with shot-tracking software (like ShotGrid) and a solid understanding of how animation interacts with rigging and simulation.
• While a degree in Computer Graphics or Fine Arts is beneficial, we value a high-quality demo reel above formal credentials.
• The ability to thrive in a collaborative, feedback-heavy environment.
• Self-motivated management of complex shot assignments.

Joining ILM as an Animator means more than just a job; it is an entry into a prestigious network of artists. Our London studio operates on a Hybrid Model, requiring a minimum of two days on-site per week. This allows our team members to enjoy the creative spark of in-person collaboration while maintaining the flexibility of home-based work.

To be considered for the role of Animator, please prepare the following:

• Demo Reel: A video showcase of your best animation work.
• Shot Breakdown: A document explaining exactly what you were responsible for in each shot of your reel (e.g., “Responsible for all animation; rigs provided by studio”).
• Current Resume: Detailing your feature film or series experience.