Industrial Light & Magic (ILM Australia) is seeking an elite Senior Paint Artist & Roto Artist to join our premier visual effects studio in Moore Park, Sydney. In the world of high-end VFX, the Paint and Roto department provides the essential foundation upon which all movie magic is built. As a Senior artist at ILM, you are a master of “invisible effects,” responsible for the seamless integration of digital elements into live-action plates for the world’s biggest blockbuster franchises.
Founded by George Lucas in 1975, ILM has set the standard for visual effects for nearly half a century. Our Sydney studio is a critical hub in a global network that includes San Francisco, Vancouver, London, and Mumbai. This is an opportunity to work at the absolute forefront of the digital revolution, contributing to projects that define the future of cinema, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.
Employment Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Company Name | Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) Australia |
| Parent Organization | The Walt Disney Company |
| Job Title | Senior Paint Artist & Roto Artist |
| Location | Moore Park, Sydney, NSW, Australia |
| Job Type | Full-Time, Permanent |
| Estimated Salary Range | $125,000 – $160,000 AUD (Commensurate with experience) |
| Primary Toolset | Silhouette, Nuke, Linux |
| Reporting To | Paint & Roto Supervisor |
The Role: Mastering the Invisible
As a Senior Paint & Roto Artist at ILM Australia, you are much more than a technician; you are a digital plastic surgeon and an architect of reality. You will be responsible for delivering high-level invisible effects tasks with minimal supervision, often taking on the most “impossible” shots in a sequence.
Your role involves a deep understanding of the “layering math” of digital imaging. You will use your expert artistic eye to remove complex plate artifacts, reconstruct intricate backgrounds behind moving characters, and generate sophisticated mattes that allow Compositors to realize the creative vision of the VFX Supervisor. At the Senior level, we look for artists who are proactive problem-solvers, capable of mentoring the next generation of talent while pushing the boundaries of our internal pipeline.
Detailed Responsibilities
1. High-End Technical Execution
- Complex Plate Reconstruction: Deliver intricate shots involving 2D and 3D tracking, complex background plate reconstruction (clean plating), and high-detail matte extraction.
- Software Mastery: Utilize Silhouette for advanced hand-painting and roto, and Nuke for projection-based clean-up and compositing workflows.
- Quality Control: Ensure all work meets the rigorous “ILM Standard,” maintaining a deep understanding of grain management, color space, and edge fidelity.
2. Creative Ownership and Innovation
- “Plussing” Shots: Take full ownership of your assigned sequences. Don’t just follow notes—proactively offer “pluses” and alternate technical approaches that enhance the final aesthetic or improve efficiency.
- Workflow Optimization: Assist in the creation of generic scripts, Gizmos, and templates that can be used by the wider team to enhance studio productivity.
- Emerging Tech: Show an eagerness to integrate automated processes, machine learning tools, and new methodologies into your daily creative toolkit.
3. Leadership and Mentorship
- Junior Development: Actively mentor junior and mid-level artists. Provide constructive artistic feedback, help them troubleshoot difficult setups, and share the “tips and tricks” that come from years of high-level experience.
- Dailies and Reviews: Attend dailies regularly, take ownership of feedback, and work across departmental lines (e.g., with Compositing or Matchmove) to develop holistic techniques for the show.
- Performance Input: Assist the Paint & Roto Supervisor with internal performance reviews and the assessment of vendor-delivered work.
Candidate Requirements: Skills and Experience
To thrive in the ILM Australia environment, you must possess a blend of technical expertise, artistic sensitivity, and professional dependability.
Technical Proficiencies
- Software Expertise: Expert-level proficiency in Silhouette and Nuke. You must have a solid understanding of concatenation, filtering, color space (ACES/OCIO), and digital plate structures.
- Artistic Foundation: A strong understanding of composition, lighting, and color theory. You must be able to match the “feel” of a plate perfectly, ensuring that your work is truly invisible.
- Mathematical Understanding: A deep grasp of the digital imaging math required for high-end VFX, including motion vectors and grain synthesis.
Professional Qualities
- Efficiency: Strong time-management skills and the ability to provide production with accurate task estimations for scheduling purposes.
- Adaptability: A flexible mindset regarding new technologies. We are constantly evolving, and we need artists who are excited by change.
- Collaboration: A dependable team player who remains calm and focused under the pressure of delivery deadliness.
Workplace Diversity and Representation
At ILM Australia, we believe that our work is enriched by a variety of perspectives. We are committed to an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the global audiences we serve.
According to Australian industry census data and internal tracking, the VFX sector continues to strive for broader representation. At ILM, we are proud that our global workforce includes over 40% female representation in various leadership and artistic roles, and we actively participate in programs to increase the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other underrepresented groups in the Australian creative tech sector.
Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, nationality, sexual orientation, or disability status. We want to hear your story.
About Industrial Light & Magic
ILM is the leading effects facility in the world. We have created visual effects for over 325 feature films and have played a key role in 7 of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time. From the groundbreaking work on Star Wars and Jurassic Park to the revolutionary StageCraft technology used in modern production, ILM continues to set the pace for the industry.
About The Walt Disney Company
As part of The Walt Disney Company, ILM Australia is integrated into a global media powerhouse. Disney’s legacy of world-class storytelling allows our artists to work on the most cherished characters and worlds in history. With operations in more than 40 countries, being part of Disney means your work reaches every corner of the globe.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a high-quality demo reel and a detailed resume. Your reel should clearly demonstrate:
1. Before and Afters: High-quality clean-plate reconstructions.
2. Complexity: Challenging roto-scoping (hair, motion blur, overlapping action).
3. Technicality: Examples of 3D projection work and complex tracking.
ILM (Australia) Pty. Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a culture where ideas from all people help us grow and create the best stories.
