Job Title

ILM Sydney Australia (Industrial Light & Magic), a flagship studio within the global Disney Entertainment ecosystem, is expanding its world-class animation team. Located in the vibrant creative precinct of Moore Park, ILM Sydney stands as a beacon of innovation in the Southern Hemisphere, contributing to the most ambitious visual effects projects in modern cinema. We are seeking a mid-to-senior level Animator who possesses the technical mastery and artistic soul required to bring complex characters to life. At ILM Sydney, you arent just moving pixels; you are crafting performances that define the emotional core of a story. From the subtle twitch of a creatures eye to the earth-shaking physics of an epic battle sequence, your work will set the gold standard for the industry. Employment Overview Feature Details Company Name Industrial Light & Magic (ILM Sydney Australia) Business Segment Lucasfilm / The Walt Disney Company Job Title Animator Location Moore Park, Sydney, NSW, Australia Job Type Full-Time / Permanent Estimated Salary Range $115,000 $155,000 AUD (Commensurate with experience) Primary Toolset Autodesk Maya, Linux, Proprietary ILM Tools Reporting To Animation Supervisor The Role: Digital Performance Artist The role of an Animator at ILM Sydney Australia is one of both high-level artistry and rigorous technical execution. You will be responsible for creating high-quality motion for computer-generated characters, creatures, and inanimate objects. This position operates under the general supervision of Senior Animators and Animation Supervisors, providing a collaborative environment where mentorship and professional growth are deeply embedded in the daily workflow. In the Sydney studio, you will join a diverse cohort of artists who are currently pushing the boundaries of what is possible in feature films, streaming content, and immersive experiences. Your objective is to deliver performances that are so seamless and grounded in physics that the audience forgets they are looking at a digital creation. Performance Excellence: Execute a series of shots on a specific project, ensuring that every movement contributes to the narrative and matches the established style of the production. Consistency: Maintain a steady level of high productivity. In the fast-paced world of VFX, meeting deadlines is as crucial as the quality of the work itself. Problem Solving: Identify and resolve aesthetic and technical challenges within a shot, ensuring that character rigs and animation tools are used to their full potential. Aesthetic Synergy: Work closely with the wider animation team to brainstorm and determine various aesthetic solutions for complex movement sequences. The Dailies Culture: Participate actively in daily review sessions (Dailies). You will present your work for critique and provide insightful, professional feedback to your peers to elevate the entire projects quality. Cross-Departmental Liaising: Coordinate with the Rigging and Creature Dev departments to ensure that character skeletons and muscle systems support the required range of motion. Performance Reference & Research Acting for Animation: Occasionally provide animation references by video-recording your own performances. This acting out of shots is a vital part of the ILM process to ensure realistic weight, timing, and emotional resonance. Physics Study: Conduct research into animal or human anatomy and movement to support the animation of specific creature types, ensuring a high degree of biological plausibility. What We Are Looking For ILM Sydney Australia is a high-performance environment. We seek individuals who are self-motivated, creatively curious, and technically proficient. Educational & Professional Background The Academic Route: A Bachelors Degree or equivalent in Traditional Animation combined with a minimum of 3 years of experience in a professional production environment. The Veteran Route: For those without a degree, we require at least 5 years of professional experience specializing in Cel (Hand-drawn), Stop Motion, or Computer Animation. Portfolio: A world-class demo reel demonstrating a deep understanding of the 12 principles of animation, specifically weight, overlap, and character appeal. Technical Skills & Tools Maya Expertise: Expert-level proficiency in Autodesk Maya is non-negotiable. You should be comfortable with its graph editor, rigging constraints, and animation layers. Operating Systems: A strong desire and proficiency for working in a Linux environment. As ILMs global pipeline is Linux-based, comfort with terminal commands and Linux-based workflows is a significant advantage. Pipeline Integration: Experience with proprietary software is a plus, but the ability to quickly learn and adapt to new, complex internal tools is essential. The ILM Sydney Experience Joining ILM Sydney Australia means becoming part of a legacy that began in 1975 with George Lucas. Our Sydney studio, while part of a global network (San Francisco, Vancouver, London, Singapore, Mumbai), has its own unique cultureone that blends the relaxed Australian spirit with the relentless pursuit of cinematic perfection. Innovation at the Core: ILM Sydney is a key player in the development of StageCraft (Virtual Production), which has revolutionized how films are made. You will have a front-row seat to the future of filmmaking. Diversity and Belonging: We believe our studio should be as diverse as the stories we tell. We celebrate the unique backgrounds of our staff and foster an environment where everyone feels they belong. If you are passionate about animation but dont check every single box on this list, we still want to see your reel. Global Collaboration: You will regularly collaborate with colleagues across our international offices, sharing knowledge and techniques that have won ILM 15 Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects. About The Walt Disney Company ILM Sydney Australia is proud to be part of The Walt Disney Company. Disneys mission is to entertain, inform, and inspire people around the globe through the power of unparalleled storytelling. As an Animator, you are a vital link in that mission. You contribute to the core business segments of Disney Entertainment, helping to create experiences that are both universally and locally cherished. How to Apply Professional Resume: Clearly outlining your years of experience and specific film credits. Demo Reel & Breakdown: A high-quality reel showcasing your best work. Please include a text document or slide explaining your specific contribution to each shot (e.g., Responsible for all character animation; lighting/rendering by others). Cover Letter: Briefly explain your interest in ILM Sydney and how your specific background prepares you for the challenges of high-end feature animation. ILM (Australia) Pty. Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. #J-18808-Ljbffr