Job OVerview
Employment Details
| Feature | Description |
| Title | Layout Artist |
| Company | Walt Disney Animation Studios |
| Location | Vancouver, Canada (British Columbia) |
| Employment Type | Full-Time |
| Salary Range (CAD) | C$79,300 to C$150,500 per year |
Walt Disney Animation Studios is seeking a highly skilled and creative Layout Artist to join our team in Vancouver, British Columbia. CG Layout is a foundational element in our storytelling process, bridging the gap between storyboards and the final screen image. This role requires a unique combination of artistic vision and technical proficiency to stage the story and bring our characters and environments to life in 3D space.
Responsibilities
The Layout Artist will be central to establishing the visual foundation of a film, focusing on cinematic excellence and narrative clarity. Key responsibilities include:
- Staging and Cinematography: Drive the staging, blocking, and camera work to establish the foundation for individual shots and cohesive sequences.
- Story Interpretation: Read and interpret storyboards, translating them into compelling 3D environments, while utilizing creative versatility to enhance and build upon core story points.
- Production & Workflow: Execute high-quality shot work within a fast-paced CG environment, utilizing industry-standard tools such as Maya, Linux, and proprietary software.
- Collaboration: Work closely with the team and cross-departmental partners to ensure seamless integration into the production pipeline, providing context, clarifying requests, and problem-solving technical and creative issues.
- Communication: Communicate progress, emerging trends, and issues effectively with leadership and collaborators.
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Cinematography Expertise: Versatile and deep knowledge of cinematic principles, including camera lenses, complex camera movement, staging, composition, and continuity.
- Character Artistry: Expertise in appealing posing and blocking/animation of CG characters.
- Editing & Sequence Development: Strong understanding of editing principles and the development of compelling shot sequences.
- Technical Proficiency: Solid understanding and practical experience with Maya; strong camera animation skills; experience with basic lighting.
- Adaptability & Collaboration: Proven ability to take direction easily and contribute effectively within a highly collaborative team.
- Growth Mindset: Adaptability to emerging tools, workflows, visual styles, and a director’s vision (covering both Rough Layout and Final Layout stages).
- Iterative Work Ethic: Ability to work iteratively in a fluid environment and comfort with presenting work from rough to polished stages.
- Curiosity: A proactive curiosity to suggest thoughtful solutions and explore new approaches.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with EFX (Visual Effects).
- Experience with Proxy Modeling.
- Familiarity with the Linux operating system.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and/or equivalent professional experience.
Application Requirements
To be considered for this critical role, applicants must submit:
- Reel: A current reel showcasing recent and/or past Layout work. The reel must emphasize one or more sequences of shots in continuity, demonstrating clear and appealing storytelling through expert use of cinematography, staging, and editing. This is a critical component of the application.
- Resume: A comprehensive resume detailing relevant professional work history and, if applicable, a detailed reel breakdown.
Compensation
The anticipated hiring range for this position in British Columbia, Canada, is C$79,300 to C$150,500 CAD per year. The final compensation package will be determined based on internal equity, geographic region, and the candidate’s specific job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A comprehensive range of medical, financial, and/or variable pay and benefits may be offered.
