Ben Sledge

Department Head, Creature - Vancouver @Industrial Light & Magic

Vancouver, BC, CA

Collaborated with global department heads to define and implement standardized workflows, tools, and best practices for rigging and character effects across all studio locations- Partnered with Talent Management and recruiting to spearhead hiring, onboarding, and strategic casting of artists and leadership for Vancouver-based projects- Mentored the department\'s leadership team, including Creature Supervisors and Leads, fostering career growth and ensuring high-quality project oversight- Acted as a primary stakeholder for the department, interfacing with R&D and Pipeline teams to guide the development roadmap and prioritize new tools and technologies- Provided expert consultation for producers on project bidding, planning, and resource allocation- Fostered cross-departmental collaboration to streamline workflows, remove friction, and resolve complex production pipeline challenges- Provided hands-on supervision and creative/technical direction for creature teams on high-profile productions, including \"Tron: Ares,\"\"Invasion Season 3,\" and \"Frankenstein.\"

East Tennessee State University

B.S.

Clemson University

MFA