California Studios
The Walt Disney Feature Animation Training Programs are an
in-depth work experience in traditional and CGI (Computer Generated
Imagery) animation, including instructional activities, tutorial
classes (lectures and film screenings), studio assignments, and
production experience. These concentrated programs are designed
to give the Trainees a highly developed, first-hand insight into
the animation process.
Trainees accepted into the program participate in a three-phase
training program tailored to their specific discipline. Upon entering
the program, the trainee is placed under contact with the Studios.
I. Phase One:
This concentrated program gives a complete overview and introduces
artists to the entire Disney Animation process. The program includes
the following:
A. Tutorial
1. Classes--Trainees attend scheduled discussions on topics
pertaining to the basic principles of animation art, production
techniques, and studio processes.
2. Lectures--Trainees attend scheduled presentations as they
relate to specific animation procedures, history of animation,
and contemporary motion-picture advances.
3. Screenings--Trainees attend weekly screenings of animation
and live-action classics, including discussions and historical
overviews structured to make them aware of the problem solving
necessary to achieve successful results in narrative and cinematic
style, continuity, and performance.
B. Studio Assignments
At Walt Disney Feature Animation, the artist's greatest tool
is his/her ability to draw well.
1. Drawing Skills--Great emphasis is placed to developing
the Trainees' fundamental ability to draw for animated film through
observational studies, action analysis, and traditional figure-drawing
techniques.
2. Drawing Techniques for Animation Production--Assignments
develop the Trainees' skills in order to draw characters consistent
with model sheets, and develop line quality in clean-up from
rough animation drawings.
3. Individual Animation Assignments--Basic principles of animation
are applied, using studio facilities, in order to see how Trainees
can creatively develop their own short segment of animation (the
pencil-test concept). Assignments are based on the following
progressive steps, each of which must be approved by supervising
production personnel: proposal, thumbnails, storyboard, key pose
and rough inbetweens, and key clean-up. Background/layout assignments
will vary but will also develop similarly in progressive phases.
C. Production Experience in Other Animation Areas
To understand the overall Animation Production process as
a blend of talent and teamwork, trainees are exposed to each
phase of the artistic and technical procedure necessary for animation,
under the supervision of production personnel.
II. Phase Two:
This portion of training continues with the Trainees concentrating
on their specific discipline. Curriculum includes specialized
exercises, lectures, clinics, and research.
III. Phase Three:
Prior to entering this final phase of training, Trainees are
evaluated to determine whether they will continue. If evaluated
successfully, Trainees begin work on production-specific exercises
under the guidance of a senior artist in their discipline who
acts as the mentor.
CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) Training Program
Training positions are available to individuals who have Computer
Graphics education but lack practical experience in Feature Animation
applications. Requirements include a degree in Engineering, Computer
Science, Art, Traditional Animation, or related experience. Knowledge
of animation principles, lighting, rendering, and use of CGI hardware
and software is desired.
The CGI Training Program begins with the first phase of the
Traditional Animation Training Program. Phase two then follow,
focusing on areas such as basic CGI information and specific Disney
CGI production techniques. Basic CGI information addresses fundamental
computer graphics and computer animation concepts, as well as
the history of this field. Disney CGI production procedures are
also covered, and a production-type final project utilizes all
these skills and concepts. Upon successful evaluation of the second
phase, Trainees would them continue into their third phase, during
which they are placed onto a production working on specific exercises
under the supervision of a senior artist who will act as their
mentor.
Portfolio Requirement and Guidelines
A. General Requirements
- A resume is absolutely essential. Portfolios will be returned
if a resume is not submitted at the same time. A brief letter
outlining your area of interest (character animation, background,
layout, effects, story, CGI, etc.) is also important.
- All work must be submitted in a traditional portfolio or
other easily-managed case. No rolled samples, please! Portfolios
should be no more than 24x30 inches.
- All work should be mounted on heavy paper or behind plastic
on standard portfolio pages. Mounting on illustration board and
matting is not necessary or recommended.
- If pastel, chalk or charcoal works are presented, they must
be fixed and/or mounted behind plastic.
- The artist's name or initials must be on each page or sample.
- Portfolios should not exceed 25 pages of work. A sketch book,
short video tape or portfolio page with several drawings is considered
one page.
- Please do not send stretched and/or framed work.
- Slides and/or photocopies are acceptable, especially for
color work. Whenever possible, life drawing should be presented
in original medium.
- Videotapes should be clear and no longer then four minutes,
five minutes for CGI submissions. A table of contents identifying
each sequence and the artist's responsibility on that sequence
must be included. (NTSC format please. VHS or 3/4 inch tape are
fine.)
- Portfolios not meeting these requirements may not be evaluated.
B. Guidelines
1. Traditional Portfolio:
- A good selection of carefully rendered figure drawings using
line to emphasize volume and structure. Also include sketch books
or loose sketches (mounted) of animals and humans in motion done
in quick sketch/gesture style.
- Generally, drawings should be from live subjects. Do not
copy photographs.
- Recent work is a must. We should be able to evaluate your
current skill level.
- Samples of your cartooning skills and drawings from your
imagination are appropriate, but should not comprise a major
part of your portfolio work.
- If interested in story sketch, layout, background or effects
Trainee positions, approximately half of the portfolio should
reflect appropriate art the indicates an understanding of that
particular discipline. (See "Portfolio Requirements".)
2. Animation Services Portfolio:
- An Animation Services portfolio is much the same as the traditional
portfolio, except that we would be interested in seeing additional
examples of cartooning and finished illustration, especially
involving examples related to video games, CD ROM graphics, etc.
In this case, life drawing should only take up about one-half
of the portfolio that you are applying for Animation Services.
3. CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) Portfolio:
- A CGI portfolio should include fundamental drawing skills
as well as a video reel of animation work.
- A videotape portfolio may include computer animation, traditional
animation, pencil tests, stop action, or clay animation. Choose
samples of your work that show understanding of animation principles
such as timing, clear staging, squash and stretch, anticipation
and follow-through, secondary action, character modeling and
development (both 2D and 3D).
- Videotapes should be clear and no longer than five minutes.
The artist's name must be on the tape and the case. A table of
contents (breakdown) identifying the artist's responsibility
on each sequence must be included. (NTSC format please. VHS or
3/4 inch tapes are fine).
4. Things They Prefer Not to See:
- Copies of Disney (or other studios') characters.
- Comic strip or comic book work (Small sampling can be include
if applicant is interested in layout).
- Super hero, and science/fantasy illustrations.
- Graphic, poster, industrial and advertising design.
- Clay animation models or sculpture.
- Textile, jewelry or three-dimensional design work.
- Photography.
Animator Portfolio:
- The basic elements, as above.
- A video reel of scenes you've animated.
- Two or three animation "flips". (These can be photocopies.)
- Other applicable designs or drawings that show your skill
and experience.
Assistant Animator Portfolio:
- The basic elements, as above.
- At least two sets of ruff keys along with your clean-up drawings
of same.
- Other examples of your clean-up skills (note if drawings
are assistant or inbetween work).
Effects Portfolio:
- The basic elements, as above.
- Effects drawings, showing a variety of work and approach
to design.
- A video reel is particularly effective.
- Resume should not any optical training you might have.
Inbetween Positions:
- The basic elements, as above.
- Samples of your past inbetween work.
Layout Portfolio:
- The basic elements, as above.
- A selection of layout drawings that show your sense of staging,
design, lighting and perspective. Include your character drawings
for the layouts, if possible.
- Make sure we know if this work is from you own ruffs or clean-ups
from another artist's work.
- If you have comic strip/comic book examples, we'd like to
see a selection of those as well.
Background Portfolio:
- The basic elements, as above.
- Painting examples geared to our studio approach, with an
emphasis on attention to detail, lighting, atmosphere, and painterly
technique.
- Originals, color prints or transparencies of animation background
you've produced.
- Please do not send stretched canvases.
Story Sketch Portfolio:
- The basic elements, as above.
- One or two sets of storyboards (animation or live-action).
Photocopies are fine.
- Examples of character designs/model sheets.
- Quick sketches showing you lighting, dramatic setting and
staging sense.
Visual Development Portfolio:
- The basic element, as above.
- Artwork that displays your sense of caricature, imagination,
color and design.
- A selection of color sketches (any media) that dramatize
a story.
- Sample of children's story illustrations are helpful but
not mandatory.
- If you are interested in character design, include extensive
samples of character concepts drawn from your own design and
imagination,. Include various "types"; humans and animals,
personalities, anthropomorphic objects, model sheets, characters
in environments, etc.
Computer Graphics Imagery (CGI) Portfolio:
- The basic elements, as above, if applicable.
- Animators should send a video reel that displays animation
capabilities and familiarization with animation fundamentals,
whether computer, stop motion or traditional approaches.
- Modelers should show familiarization with computer
graphics modeling packages as well as sense of design and ability
to sculpt.
- Software Developers need a specialized computer science,
math or physics background as well as a good understanding of
3-D graphics techniques.
- Software Engineers need credentials in computer science,
electronic or computer engineering.
- Systems Engineers should demonstrate a high understanding
of program language (such as C/C+), be able to operate systems
like UNIX and WINDOWS, have a working knowledge of communications
protocols and be able to write interface drivers.
Artistic Review Board
We are interested in you and would like to have the opportunity
to see your work! In order to do that, you should submit a portfolio
to our Artistic Review Board that demonstrates your ability to
fill a position with us. Our Review Board, a committee of inviduals
gathered from our artistic staff, evaluate and make recommendations
based on the work they see. From their conclusions, we are able
to determine how your knowledge, skills and experience might apply
to Feature Animation.
We accept portfolio submissions through the mail only and will
return your portfolio once it has been reviewed. Please don't
ship COD or over-estimate the value of your portfolio contents,
because your work could get delayed in Customs or incur a lot
of additional fees. Also, we cannot be responsible for loss or
damage to submitted work.
Portfolios send to California should be mailed to:
Walt Disney Feature Animation
CGI Training Program, Artist Recruitment
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521-4866
Telephone: 818-544-5452
Generally, our Review Board meets every other Wednesday. On
occasion, however, the Board does not meet or we may hold your
portfolio for additional viewings. If that happens, we'll be sure
to notify you of the delay. Once your portfolio has been through
the process, we'll get back to you with the Board's evaluation.
All information from Walt Disney Feature Animation.