Layout Artist

About ILM

Founded by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, with studios located in San Francisco, Vancouver, London, Sydney and Mumbai. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema. You can see some of our current projects here.

Your role?

We are looking for Layout Artists who reflect the innovative spirit, creative talent, production excellence, collaborative mindset and passion for great filmmaking that define ILM. This opportunity is well suited to someone with a background or education in visual effects and camera matchmove, but may not have the necessary industry experience to apply for more senior roles.

The Layout Artist is responsible for creating camera moves and rough blocking animation within a digital environment. Layout Artists accurately recreate the set, camera moves, and actor performances to allow for seamless effects integration. Camera matchmoves and original CG camera moves are integrated to create the framework of each sequence. The Layout Artist works as part of the larger layout team which acts as a central hub for all shot preparation to ensure continuity and camera accuracy in CG Elements.

What will you be doing?

• Day-to-day show support

• Troubleshoot flow of data in/out of department

• Entry level shot work, time permitting

• Responsible for escalation of tech issues to appropriate show or tech group

• Collaboration with stage team may be required

• Create reusable templates

• Support Layout Supervisor with vendor shot ingestion and quality control

• Mocap processing in shot production 

• Able to solve straightforward matchmoves of single plate shots.

• Understands the process of setting up a new shot,

• Understands process of 2D tracking and solving the camera, exporting and publishing them.

• Create and maintain web documentation for the department for everyday workflow, on-location field guides, reference photography, 3D scanning, and camera and lens test procedures.

• Maintain a database of cameras and lenses.

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To be a contributing member of this team, you will have a mix of these skills:

• Experience with still photography and in-depth camera knowledge, familiarity with lenses.

• Excellent problem solving skills including the ability to work under tight deadlines.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate seamlessly with teams.

• A passion for visual effects, with a keen eye for detail.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Graphics, Computer Science, Fine Arts, Design or Photography, or equivalent experience as an artist, animator, or camera operator.

• Interest in photography, camera lenses, motion capture.

• Preferred Skills / Competencies:

  • Scripting knowledge (Python, Mel) a plus.

  • Experience with Maya and Photoshop.

  • Proficiency with Linux is desired.

  • Experience with commercial camera tracking software is a plus.

• A demo reel or portfolio demonstrating an understanding of camera lensing and or matchmove is required.

JoinILM

This position is with Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC, which is part of a business segment we call Industrial Light & Magic. Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.