Are you ready to become the technical heartbeat of motion capture for the studio that defines the visual effects industry? Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a division of Lucasfilm and The Walt Disney Company, is seeking a Lead Motion Editor to join our team at the Lacon House studio in London.
This is more than a data management role; it is a leadership position where you will act as the primary point of contact for performance capture excellence. You will guide the next generation of cinematic movement, ensuring that the nuances of an actor’s performance are translated seamlessly into the digital world. At ILM, you aren’t just editing motion; you are refining the soul of the characters that populate the most iconic film franchises in history.
Position Overview: Lead Motion Editor
Category Details
Company Name Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) / The Walt Disney Company
Job Title Lead Motion Editor
Job Type Full-Time / Permanent
Location London, United Kingdom (Lacon House, Holborn)
Work Mode Hybrid (Minimum 2 days on-site per week)
Estimated Salary £75,000 – £105,000 (Based on seniority, tenure, and project scope)
Primary Software Maya, MotionBuilder, Vicon Shogun, Blender, Nuance
Department Motion Edit / Animation
Key Focus Retargeting, Motion Blending, Team Mentorship
Job Summary
The Lead Motion Editor is a pivotal role within the ILM London pipeline, collaborating directly with the Motion Edit Supervisor to ensure the department operates with surgical precision. Your primary objective is to execute non‑destructive retargeting and refinement of realistic motion‑capture data. You will take the raw energy of a performance and polish it until it meets the “ILM Standard”—the highest quality benchmark in global VFX.
While the focus remains predominantly on human characters and digital doubles, your expertise will extend to props, bipedal creatures, and occasionally quadrupeds. Beyond the technical execution, you will be the “driving spirit” of the team, fostering a culture of mentorship and continuous skill development for our junior and mid‑level artists.
Expert Retargeting: Take full responsibility for transferring complex motion from one skeletal hierarchy to another with total proficiency, ensuring that the original intent of the performance is preserved.
Performance Refinement: Adhere strictly to the actor’s performance while enhancing it in a non‑destructive manner. This includes adding finger, toe, and tail animation, and adjusting body posture, gesture, and weight to ground the character in its environment.
Motion Blending: Utilize a sharp eye and deep technical understanding of motion workflows to create fluid, believable transitions between distinct animation clips.
Leadership & Mentorship: Lead the team on major projects, providing expert troubleshooting and proactive mentorship to junior members. You will be responsible for ensuring technical excellence across the board.
Workflow Innovation: Develop new methodologies and refactor existing workflows to increase efficiency. You will stay ahead of the curve by identifying and troubleshooting technical bottlenecks before they impact production.
Supervisory Support: Take charge of “dailies” and technical requests when the Supervisor is unavailable, ensuring the project remains on schedule without a drop in quality.
What We’re Looking For: Qualifications
- VFX Pedigree: Proven professional experience in high‑end feature film VFX. We require an up-to-date showreel that demonstrates a mastery of realistic motion.
- Technical Mastery: Proficient knowledge of retargeting and blending techniques. You should be an expert in Maya and MotionBuilder, with additional experience in Blender or Nuance being highly desirable.
- Anatomical Eye: A sharp eye for motion, timing, and posture. You understand the physics of movement and how weight distribution affects the realism of a digital asset.
- Problem Solving: A proactive attitude toward identifying and resolving technical issues within a Linux‑based environment.
- Communication: Exceptional collaborative skills. You must be able to translate complex technical needs into actionable creative feedback for your team and show supervisors.
Preferred Skills & Bonus Experience
- Background in using Vicon Shogun Post.
- Experience working within a Linux environment.
- A foundational understanding of the principles of traditional animation to better inform motion‑capture cleanup.
- Previous experience leading small teams or acting as a “Key” artist on major sequences.
Industry Statistics & Diversity Data
As part of our commitment to transparency and the evolution of the VFX industry, we track the demographics of the UK creative sector to ensure we are fostering an inclusive environment.
- Gender Representation: In the UK VFX industry, women currently hold approximately 34% of technical and creative roles. ILM is dedicated to closing this gap, particularly in leadership positions like the Lead Motion Editor role.
- Ethnic Diversity: Recent industry reports indicate that approximately 18% to 20% of the London VFX workforce identifies as Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic (BAME). At ILM, we actively leverage our Employee Resource Groups, such as MOSAIC, to ensure our studio reflects the global audience we serve.
- Global Talent: Our London studio is a hub for international talent, with over 45 nationalities working together. We provide a culture where diverse perspectives are considered the fuel for our innovation.
About Industrial Light & Magic
To apply, please submit:
1. A Current Resume: Detailing your experience and software proficiencies.
2. Demo Reel & Shot Breakdown: Specifically showcasing your motion edit, retargeting, and blending work. Please explain your specific role in each shot.
ILM (UK) Ltd. is an equal opportunity employer.
We foster a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, and create the best stories.
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