[Animation Nation] Jedi Masters Program (Lucasfilm Animation Singapore)

The closing event for this year's edition of Animation Nation was a presentation cum recruitment for the Jedi Masters Program here in Singapore. About two years ago, Lucasfilm set up shop here with, if I recall correctly, the intention to make an animated television series. Now, they are almost a full fledged production company with hands on gaming, animation, and visual effects all under one roof.

It was a treat to watch the slick trailer/clips on the big screen from upcoming releases like the game The Force Unleashed, a quick summarized blow-by-blow account on how the visual effects in Michael Bay's Transformers were rendered (I haven't seen the DVD extras so I can't tell you if they are included in some way in the bonus extras), and various showreels which were really cool, especially for Star Wars fans. In fact, there was even 2 Jedi Knights in attendance! I've come to think that should there be any more of Star Wars related talks, seminars and the likes, that Jedis, Storm Troopers, etc will definitely make their way into the audience, which is pretty fun.


The Force Unleashed Trailer

There were of course projects that the presenting team was working on and cannot divulge, but it doesn't take an expert to realize that it is likely to be Indy 4 - Hello, Lucas' big project, with visual effects likely to come from Industrial Light and Magic (and to those reading this, no, the presenters didn't even squeak anything, and I'm basing this on my own conjectures and a dash of common sense).

So it's pretty neat that you have visual effects that you see in Hollywood blockbusters (such as Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End) produced by the very team and individuals sitting here in their studio in Singapore. For those keen to join them, they are running the Jedi Masters Program, which is like a kind of apprenticeship where you learn the ropes on how they do things. And if you're really good, you'll be offered a permanent stint.

For more details and information regarding application and submission, especially if you're animators of any sort interested in the expanding Star Wars universe, or ILM spruced up movies, click on this link for more details. Good luck, and May the Force Be With You!