2025 Talent Development Program- Environment Modeling Apprenticeship

2025 Talent Development Program - Environment Modeling Apprenticeship

Join us for an opportunity to experience the art of animation and be a part of Walt Disney Animation Studios. The Talent Development Apprenticeship Program is an immersive experience  available for emerging artists  Under the guidance of a Disney mentor, the Talent Development Apprenticeship Program offers a unique opportunity to hone and understand skills, refine and strengthen key disciplines, and engage in a real-time production environment with mentorship support.

The Apprenticeship Program is based in our Burbank, California studios and will start in February 2025. The deadline for applications is December 15, 2024, 11:59 PM PST. 

The Environment Modeling Apprenticeship Program

The Modeling team translates concept art from Visual Development Artists into the engaging characters and intricate worlds seen on the screen. Stepping in at the beginning of the asset pipeline, Modelers work closely with various departments to ensure that each model will meet the demands of storytelling and the technical needs of production.

As an Environment Modeling applicant, your reel should demonstrate an understanding of building complex set and prop models with organized, efficient, polygonal topology that may include: vehicles, buildings, plant life, terrain and complete set environments. 

As part of the Environment Modeling Apprenticeship Program, the first four months of your program are structure to provide an introduction to the art of Environment Modeling team, our studio culture, and our production environment. These initial months will showcase the skills and philosophies of our Effects department while providing you nurturing mentorship with a Disney artist. A four 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. 

To apply for this position, select “Login” to update your profile and Apply. If you do not have a profile with us, select “Register” to create a new profile and Apply with a resume, reel and shot breakdown (if applicable).
 

Am I Eligible to Apply?

• 18 years or older

• Emerging artists with less than 5 years experience in Modeling

• Recent graduates with a degree or equivalent experience

Skills we are looking for:

• A thorough understanding of Maya

• An understanding of ZBrush/Mudbox

• A refined eye for appealing design

• Candidates should show stylized environments and props

• All candidates should include 2D reference images when applicable

• Procedural modeling (Houdini) experience is a plus

• Procedural vegetation creation is a plus

• Texture painting experience is a plus

• Previous experience with traditional sculpting is a plus

• Scripting (Python) experience is a plus

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.