Category IV Trainee -Digital Union

Job ID 10101577 Location Burbank, California, United States Business Walt Disney Animation Studios Date posted Sep. 19, 2024

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"I didn't think it was possible that something I did for fun - telling sports stories through stats - could become my job until I came here."

Ana, Sr. Researcher, ESPN

Job Summary:

2025 Talent Development Program - General Technical Director Trainee

The Technical Director Talent Development Program begins January 2025. The deadline of applications is October 20, 2024, 11:59 PM PST.

Join us for an opportunity to be a part of the innovative technology and artistry of Walt Disney Animation Studios. At Walt Disney Animation Studios we have a deep commitment to the philosophy that creativity inspires technology, and technology inspires creativity. The Talent Development Trainee Program is an immersive experience that provides up to a 16 month paid mentored position for emerging developers. Under the guidance of a Disney Mentor, the Talent Development Trainee Program offers a unique opportunity to hone skills, refine and strengthen key disciplines, and engage in a real-time production environment.

Technical Directors strategize solutions to a range of production and pipeline issues. You’ll exercise your technical skills to write scripts, adapt tools, and modify workflows in support of artistic endeavors. You will work directly with artists, fellow technical directors, and software developers to solve problems and implement new techniques.

As a Technical Director Trainee, the first three to four months of your program are structured to introduce you to the processes and tools of our filmmaking, our studio culture, and our production environment. These initial months will showcase the skills and philosophies of our Technical Director department while providing you nurturing mentorship with a Disney developer. A 3-4 month review provides you with real-time feedback and determines future assignments and promotional opportunities that would bring your skills into real-time production environments.

Job Responsibilities:
● Develop a working knowledge of the production pipeline in a supported training environment
● Work with an assigned mentor to learn our filmmaking process and production environment
● Design and write processes and tools to support artistic departments needs

● Become proficient in supporting our artists in a variety of areas to facilitate the CG animation process
● Collaborate with other trainees in the program to foster a strong teamwork based environment
● Partner with the broader Technical Director department to accomplish assigned tasks

● Address real-time feedback under the guidance and support of an assigned mentor

● Participate in studio events to become an active contributor to our studio culture

Key Qualifications:
● Emerging developers with less than 3 years experience in the Animation Industry or individuals with up to 5 years of experience in a different tech capacity and industry looking to pivot into the animation industry
● Recent graduates - Degree in computer science, related field, or equivalent experience

● Experience with scripting using Python
● Experience with the Linux or Unix operating system
● Strong problem solving skills required
● Ability to work in a collaborative environment, taking direction well

● Experience with commercial graphics packages including Maya, Houdini and Global Illumination Lighting packages a plus
● Experience with C or C++ development a plus
● Understanding of computer graphics production processes a plus

Am I Eligible To Apply? We're looking for:
● 18 years or older
● Emerging developers with less than 5 years experience in the Animation Industry

● Recent graduates - Degree in computer science, related field, or equivalent experience

The pay rate for this role in Burbank is $30.77 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits

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About Walt Disney Animation Studios:

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker-driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Disney Animation continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, from the first fully-animated feature film, 1937's “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” to the upcoming fall 2024 feature, “Moana 2.” Among the studio's timeless creations are “Pinocchio,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “Zootopia,” and “Encanto.”

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with The Secret Lab, which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The Secret Lab is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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