Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the global leader in visual effects, is seeking a world-class Compositor to join our Sydney studio for an immediate, short-term project hire. This is a rare opportunity for a high-caliber Compositor to contribute to the legacy of Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company, working on the front lines of cinematic innovation in Moore Park.
As a artist at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), you are the final architect of the image. Your role is to seamlessly blend reality with imagination, ensuring that every element—from live-action plates to complex CG renders—functions as a singular, breathtaking whole. We are looking for a artist who possesses not only technical mastery of the software but also the soul of an artist.
Job Overview: Compositor
| Category | Details |
| Primary Role | Compositor |
| Company | Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) |
| Location | Moore Park, Sydney, NSW |
| Employment Type | Project Hire (Up to 6 Months) |
| Key Software | Foundry Nuke |
| Experience | 5+ Years (Feature Film preferred) |
| Start Date | Immediate |
The Role of the Compositor at ILM
The modern vfx comp artist must navigate a landscape of increasing visual complexity. At ILM, the Compositor is responsible for realizing the creative vision of the VFX Supervisor and the client. You will handle everything from standard matte extraction to the integration of high-end CG elements that define today’s blockbusters.
Core Responsibilities
- Shot Integration: As a Comp artist, you will use Nuke to combine live-action and computer-generated elements. You must ensure that light, shadow, and color interact across all layers with absolute photorealism.
- Aesthetic Uniformity: Every Comp artist on our team is responsible for maintaining the “look” of a sequence. You will evaluate color balance and grain to ensure that the audience never perceives a break in the visual narrative.
- Collaborative Problem Solving: You will attend daily reviews (dailies), where you will present your work and collaborate with the Compositing Supervisor to solve technical hurdles.
- Technical Leadership: A Senior Comp artist at ILM is expected to mentor Apprentice and Junior artists, helping them troubleshoot scripts and refine their artistic “eye.”
- Pipeline Efficiency: You will work toward defined milestones, ensuring that high-quality shots are delivered within the rigorous timelines of feature film production.
Candidate Profile & Compensation
Industrial Light & Magic is searching for a Comp artist who understands the physics of light as well as the mechanics of a Nuke script. Whether you have a formal degree in Fine Arts or have built your career through hands-on experience, your work must demonstrate a sophisticated sense of composition and design.
Estimated Salary Benchmarks for Compositor (Sydney Market)
| Level | Annualized Base (AUD) | Weekly Project Rate (AUD) |
| Mid-Level Compositor | $118,000 – $142,000 | $2,270 – $2,730 |
| Senior Compositor | $155,000 – $190,000+ | $2,980 – $3,650+ |
> Note: Compensation is pro-rated for the duration of the 6-month project and is commensurate with the specific experience and portfolio of the Compositor.
Required Skills & Qualifications
To be a successful VFX Comp artist at ILM, you should possess a blend of the following:
- Software Proficiency: You must be an expert-level VFX Comp artist in Nuke. Knowledge of Python, C++, or the ability to write custom Nuke Gizmos is a significant advantage.
- Visual Foundation: We value a Comp artist with a background in photography, lighting, or traditional painting. Understanding how a real camera sees the world is vital to faking reality.
- Professional Pedigree: Ideally, you have 5+ years of experience as a Comp artist within a feature film environment.
- Communication: A great Comp artist is also a great communicator. You must be able to articulate your creative choices and take direction effectively.
Detailed Job Requirements & Technical Depth
The Technical Skillset
For the Compositor, technical proficiency is the baseline. You should be intimately familiar with:
- Matte Extraction: Advanced keying techniques for hair, motion blur, and transparent surfaces.
- Tracking: 2D and 3D tracking to ensure that CG elements are rock-solid within the live-action plate.
- Color Science: Working within ACES or other professional color pipelines to ensure grading consistency.
- Deep Compositing: Experience with deep data to manage complex overlaps and atmospheric effects without traditional rotoscoping.
The Artistic Skillset
Beyond the nodes, a Compositor must understand:
- Atmospheric Perspective: How haze and light-wrap affect distant objects.
- Photographic Artifacts: Knowing when to add lens flares, chromatic aberration, or film grain to “sell” a shot.
- Storytelling: Using light and shadow to draw the viewer’s eye to the most important part of the frame.
Why Join ILM Sydney?
Industrial Light & Magic is not just a workplace; it is a global community of innovators. When you join as a Compositor, you are stepping into a studio that has shaped the history of cinema for half a century.
- Global Reach: With studios in San Francisco, London, Vancouver, Mumbai, and Sydney, our artists share knowledge and techniques across borders.
- Innovation: We are at the forefront of the digital revolution, constantly breaking new ground in VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.
- Inclusion: As part of The Walt Disney Company, ILM fosters a culture where every Compositor is encouraged to bring their unique perspective to the table. We are an equal opportunity employer.
The role of a Compositor has never been more critical. As filmmakers push the boundaries of what can be captured on set, the Compositor is the one who bridges the gap between the physical and the digital. At ILM, we provide our artists with the tools and the environment to do the best work of their lives.
Whether we are de-aging an actor, creating a sprawling alien metropolis, or simulating complex natural disasters, the Compositor is the artist who makes it believable. If you have a showreel that proves you are a top-tier Compositor, we want to see it.
About the Organizations
Industrial Light & Magic
Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM has set the standard for visual effects for decades. With over 325 feature films in our portfolio and a key role in the majority of the highest-grossing films in history, our legacy is unmatched.
The Walt Disney Company
Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences form the core of the world’s leading family entertainment enterprise. From its 1920s roots to its current status as a global powerhouse, Disney continues to create stories that resonate across generations and cultures.
Application Instructions
To apply for the position of Compositor, please submit your resume and a link to your current showreel. Your reel should clearly demonstrate your compositing skills, ideally featuring breakdowns that show the original plates and the final integrated shots.
Join ILM Sydney and help us continue to create the most stunning images in the history of film.
ILM (Australia) Pty. Ltd. Moore Park, Sydney
