ILM Art Department Challenge
Industrial Light & Magic, Wacom and ArtStation are teaming up to engage a community of artists with the world of film concept art and a galaxy far, far away! Offering an opportunity to engage directly with ILM Art Directors in the world of Star Wars, we hope to find new and exciting creators eager to prove themselves.
The challenges will not be easy! We will test you, we will push you, we will frustrate you; we aim to put you through the daily rigors of a concept artist and see how you fare on the other side.
So join the ILM Art Department Challenge — not just for the awesome prizes (of which there many) and not just for the chance to show your skills to ILM (oh, yeah) — but do it because you have something to prove!
That you might be the next Syd Mead, Ralph McQuarrie, or Joe Johnston.
That YOU are a Concept Artist.
May the Force be with you!
Registrations close 18 May, 2016 05:00 UTC
What is ILM looking for from contestants?
The Challenge
The ILM Art Department Challenge is a “production challenge” and will entail 3 phases:
1. “The Moment“
Briefing will be released 18 May 2016. Challenge Deadline: May 31, 2016 4:59AM UTC
All entrants will make submissions for this phase based on the briefing provided. Submissions will be judged to select “semifinalists” to move to the next phase.
2. “The Ride“
Briefing will be released 13 June 2016. Challenge Deadline: June 27, 2016 4:59AM UTC
Semifinalists will make new submissions for this phase based on the briefing provided (you cannot reuse your submission from any prior phase). Submissions will be judged to select “finalists” to move to the next phase.
3. “The Job“
Briefing will be released 11 July 2016. Challenge Deadline: August 1, 2016 4:59AM UTC
Finalists will make new submissions for this phase based on the briefing provided (you cannot reuse your submission from any prior phase). Submissions will be judged to select the prize winners.
The ILM Art Department staff will brief you on the requirements of each challenge at the beginning of that challenge—like you would if you were in the studio waiting for the next task. This is a simulation of working as a concept artist in a production environment. It will be fast paced. Expectations will be high. Directions may be vague and could be changed at the last minute… But hey, all in a day’s work at ILM. Some phases will be time-consuming; turnovers will be quick and may interfere with your daily schedules.
The Judges
The Prizes
ILM, Wacom and ArtStation are providing a great range of prizes:
First Prize Winner:
- a Wacom Cintiq 27QHD touch, SRP $2,799.95 USD, and
- a Wacom Cintiq 27QHD Ergo Stand, SRP $399.99, and
- a one-on-one Skype call with an ILM Art Director, and
- an ILM Studio tour(*) (one of San Francisco, Vancouver, or Singapore). Travel expenses not included.
- an ArtStation Moleskine sketchbook, SRP $24.95 USD, and
- an ArtStation Hoodie, SRP $49.95 USD, and
- an ArtStation T-shirt, SRP $19.95 USD
Second Prize Winner:
- a Wacom Cintiq Companion 2, SRP $2,499.95 USD, and
- a one-on-one Skype call with an ILM Art Director, and
- an ILM Studio tour(*) (one of San Francisco, Vancouver, or Singapore). Travel expenses not included.
- an ArtStation Moleskine sketchbook, SRP $24.95 USD, and
- an ArtStation Hoodie, SRP $49.95 USD, and
- an ArtStation T-shirt, SRP $19.95 USD
Third Prize Winner:
- a Wacom Cintiq 22HD touch, SRP $1,999.95 USD, and
- a one-on-one Skype call with an ILM Art Director, and
- an ILM Studio tour* (one of San Francisco, Vancouver, or Singapore). Travel expenses not included.
- an ArtStation Moleskine sketchbook, SRP $24.95 USD
- an ArtStation Hoodie, SRP $49.95 USD
- an ArtStation T-shirt, SRP $19.95 USD
Honourable Mentions (5 awarded):
- a Wacom Bamboo Spark, SRP $159.95
- an ArtStation Moleskine sketchbook, SRP $24.95 USD
- an ArtStation T-shirt, SRP $19.95 USD
* ILM Studio tours must occur within one (1) year of the Prize award. Expenses associated with travelling to and from the ILM Studio (including but not limited to transportation costs and lodging) are not included.
