Calling all Bucks graduates - become a Jedi in Singapore

Lucasfilm are looking for Jedi masters to serve an apprenticeship in Singapore. Their "Jedi Masters Program" offers talented digital artists "the chance to learn from the masters in a variety of creative disciplines -- from visual effects on live-action films to animated feature films."

I worked myself in Singapore a few years back and can personally recommend it. The Singapore Government is highly motivated to bring in international talent, so acquiring a work visa is rarely a problem. And once you are there, you have the chance to explore South East Asia on your weekends, or just hang out at the Raffles Hotel in downtown Singapore and pretend you're Ernest Hemingway. Plus, it's nice and warm all year round and the local cuisine is seriously delicious.

Me and the gang at Sparky animation

I worked for Sparky Animation, a great little studio making animated TV series and hoping to break into feature films - which is where I came in. One of the most fun parts of the job was the challenge of working in an unfamiliar environment, in a small studio where you could pick up almost any task you liked - from character design to editing. If a job needed doing, you just got it done. Deadlines were tight and the evenings were long, but the work was fun and rewarding.

The feature film they were hoping to get off the ground never got made (most don't) but I had a blast working there. Working overseas helps you to realise that there are many ways of getting a job finished, and the way you are used to doing it at home is not always the best one.

Best of all, I even managed to slip away from the studio, hop on a ferry and get to the beach in Indonesia for the weekend.

Living The Good Life

So, back to the point of this post:

What are Lucasfilm looking for?

• A combination of Technical and Artistic-minded individuals (right brain + left brain) 
• Engineers with an interest in art
• Artists who are comfortable with technology 
• Proactive problem-solvers 
• Resourceful, with the ability to find answers without being given instructions
• Self-guided learners who are passionate about what they do 
• Great Communicators with Teamwork skills 
• Able to work well with others in a fast-paced production environment 
• Comfortable and confident presenting work, and giving and receiving feedback

How should you apply?

• Apply at jobs.lucasfilm.com 
• Submit a letter explaining your motivation for joining the Jedi Masters Program.
• Submit your resume (personal background, and academic and career histories) and indicate the track you would like to apply for.
• Submit your portfolio and/or demo reel (a selection of your best work), eg, a website link to your portfolio (preferred), a color copy of your artwork, or a DVD of your best computer graphics work. Do not send original materials; submitted materials will not be returned to applicants.
• Basic spoken and written English language skills are required.

Click HERE for more application tips.


How does the Selection Process work?

The Jedi Council (a panel of senior artists and instructors from Lucasfilm in the US and Singapore) will review every resume and portfolio received from candidates. Final candidates will be selected by Lucasfilm Singapore at its sole discretion.

Once accepted, you will be asked to sign an Apprentice Agreement as well as a Non-Disclosure form since you will be privy to confidential materials.

While actual padawans are asked to build their own lightsabers to complete their training, you will get the chance to work on actual projects. Your mentors will regularly evaluate your performance based on demonstrated talent, artistic skills, technical competence, teamwork, effective communication, and problem solving abilities, as well as passion. The first few months is a probationary period where the apprentices and mentors will evaluate whether this is the right match and if they should continue.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will have a graduation ceremony and receive a certification. Hiring decisions for full-time positions in the studio will be based on the overall performance/skills of each Apprentice, as well as the number of open positions in the studio. Successful completion of the training does not guarantee a full-time position within the studio.

For More Information:

If you are interested to learn more,
Check out the Upcoming Tracks page
Take a look at the FAQ page
Register your profile at jobs.lucasfilm.com 

---Alex