Lighting - Jedi Academy

Position Summary

Are you looking to get in the door of the exciting world of VFX? ILM’s Jedi Academy may be just the thing for you!

The Jedi Academy provides the opportunity for recently graduated students or industry artists with up to two years experience to train under our Jedi Masters.

In this paid experience, as the successful applicant, you will be carefully placed into the Lighting department and will hone your skills in lighting for live-action VFX and feature animation projects. You will gain experience through training and mentorship, in a fast-paced and highly collaborative production environment.

To top it off, graduates who successfully complete the program may be offered a Junior Artist position within the studio.

ILM strives to be an inclusive environment, and we embrace promising individuals from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We are searching for Jedi’s who reflect the innovative spirit, creative talent, collaborative mindset and passion for great filmmaking that defines ILM.

Applications will close on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

What You Need to Know

• The Jedi Academy role is a paid 8-week placement beginning July 13, 2026
• This role is considered Hybrid, which means you will work onsite at our Vancouver 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, or work authorization for the Jedi Academy
• You must be a Canadian Citizen or hold Canadian Permanent Resident status
• You will have graduated from a relevant course within the last 12 months or have up to two years of VFX experience
• As Yoda would say “Highly encouraged, cover letters are. The story behind your resume, tell us you must.”

What You’ll Do

• HDRI stitching, processing and light map extraction
• Light rig creation and publishing
• Matching CG elements into live action plates with references
• Basic render optimization and management
• Working in Katana and Nuke to light, slapcomp, and present your shots for creative feedback
• Publishing your work for handoff to other departments
• Strengthen professional habits, including best practices for presenting work in dailies, working as a team, and communicating effectively
• Gain knowledge and appreciation of ILM’s culture and history

What We’re Looking For

• A passionate, driven and talented artist that works well with others and remains humble but assertive
• A good balance of technical and creative abilities
• Excellent communication, eager to learn and dedicated to achieving the highest possible standards of work
• A demo reel showcasing your pre-rendered work (e.g., Arnold, RenderMan, V-Ray). Reels consisting exclusively of Realtime or Unreal Engine projects will not be considered

As part of your application please submit a demo reel, shot breakdown, or equivalent showcasing your work. A current resume is required.