Jedi Academy Program - Paint & Roto

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ILM are looking for entry level VFX artists to join Sydney’s 2026 Paint & Roto Jedi Academy program. The successful candidates will reflect the innovative spirit, creative talent, collaborative mindset and passion for great filmmaking that define ILM. 

ILM’s Paint & Roto department is one of ILMs most unique departments, where artists have long, creative careers as Paint & Roto artists. The department covers a wide range of responsibilities from matte creation to procedural plate clean-up, alongside traditional frame-by-frame paint animation to solve complex visual challenges.

What you need to know

• The Jedi Academy role commences on May 4th, 2026

• This role is considered Hybrid, which means you will work onsite at our Sydney 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, visas or work authorisation for the Jedi Academy

• You must be an Australian Citizen or hold Australian Permanent Resident status

What you’ll learn

• An understanding of 2D animation for both rotoscoping and organic hand painting

• Breaking down and rebuilding various segments within a live action plate through the creation and implementation of self-made elements 

• General live action plate prep, wire and marker removal, clean plate projections, and dynamic recreation through frame by frame hand paint

• A strong eye for colour, lighting, perspective, grain structure, and all round aesthetic skills in judging photo-realism

• ILM's proprietary tools and pipeline

What we’re looking for

• Fine arts graduates or artists from any background with a genuine passion for a career in Paint and Roto

• A genuine passion for VFX, coupled with a demonstrated interest and foundational knowledge of filmmaking fundamentals, such as composition and storytelling

• You should possess an adaptable mindset regarding new methodologies, showing an eagerness to integrate emerging technologies and automated processes into your daily creative toolkit and workflow

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

• You might have have a Bachelor's Degree in VFX, visual arts, digital media or animation, reel or a creative portfolio demonstrating your work and a general understanding of VFX

• You should be prepared to speak specifically to your work, detailing the creative vision and the technical choices you implemented during its production
   

To apply

Applications will close on Monday, 16th March. Successful applicants will receive an invitation from our online interview tool, Hirevue. Please keep an eye out for these, and be sure to check your junk folder as the email may be filtered automatically. 

Following this, in-studio interviews will commence on Monday, 30th March. Offers will be extended to successful candidates in April.

Please apply online with:

• A short cover letter outlining your interest in Paint & Roto.

• A current CV.

• Your reel and/or creative portfolio.

Jedi Academy program details

The Paint & Roto Jedi Academy program will start in May 2026 . We are offering 12 month opportunities consisting of an intensive and full-time initial training period (6-12 weeks depending on discipline and applicant level) followed by on the job development. This is a paid position. 

Applicants must reside in NSW and provide proof of long-term eligibility to work in Australia. We are not able to provide assistance for relocation, housing, transportation, or work authorisation for the Jedi Academy. 

JoinILM

At Lucasfilm/ILM we believe that diversity, inclusion and belonging are integral to our company. We are at our best when our people at all levels reflect the vast life experiences of our audiences, and we thrive when ideas and decisions from all are valued and represented. If you are passionate about the role, but don't fit every criteria of the posting, we encourage you to still apply. We want to hear your story.

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