Set Extension Artist

The Walt Disney Company•Burbank, CA

8d•$61 - $72•Onsite

About The Position

Disney Animation’s Set Extension Artists use their knowledge of CG tools and strong painting skills to seamlessly extend digital environments in a 3D World. Learn more about our filmmaking process here. We currently have opportunities for Set Extension Artists to join our Burbank, California Studio starting in April 2026. To apply for this position, you must upload a resume and a reel with a shot breakdown, featuring samples of stylized digital matte painting (Set Extensions) and samples of shots done as a generalist. Samples of traditional painting are a plus. Please note, stylized matte paintings and shots should be of priority on your reel, even if they’re personal work showcasing your versatility and personal artistic sensibilities.

Requirements

Professional experience required, stylized feature animation experience preferred
High skill level in painting, composition, perspective, and color theory
Extensive Knowledge of a 2.5D workflow with multiple projection cameras
Extensive knowledge of both 2D and 3D workflows and thought processes with a willingness to learn new workflows
Extensive knowledge of Mac OSX and Linux as well as programs such as Photoshop, Maya, Nuke, and various renderers
Ability to work iteratively in a fluid and fast-paced environment, take direction easily, and willingness to participate as a member of a highly collaborative team
Ideal candidates possess secondary craft skills or come from a generalist background
Extensive knowledge of real-world lighting and materials
Preferable background in tradition drawing and painting
Extensive understanding of shot and painting composition, with preferable knowledge of cinematography
Solid understanding of photography and its terminologies, with the ability to integrate separate photos into a cohesive final image
Ability to solve complex problems with creativity and innovation
Bachelor's degree or comparable experience

Responsibilities

Organically execute art directed dimensional, pre-lit, view-dependent artwork seamlessly integrated with fully CG environments
Work with the Environment Team and Production Designers to extend the environments digitally to match the stylized art direction of the film
Create appealing backgrounds, landscapes, and environments in a 3D world using digital rendering and painting programs such as Maya, Photoshop, Nuke, Houdini, Clarisse, etc. as well as GI rendering and Disney’s proprietary software
Extrapolate art direction such as design, architectural style, lighting, and graphics which adhere to the Production Designer’s overall vision
Support the technical aspects of the workflow by proactively troubleshooting solutions in collaboration with other technical departments
Supportively and thoughtfully collaborate with the Art, Layout, Modeling, Look Development, and Lighting teams, demonstrating a generalist skillset that utilizes a variety of techniques to achieve the final vision of the shot and overall film
Interpret concept art and color keys into stylized yet believable final imagery
Design environments for shots that are extrapolated from more generalized concept art
Setup entire shot extensions from scratch
Leverage your artistic sensibilities to deliver finished high-quality, appealing digital paintings using techniques such as composition, value structure, color theory, perspective, lighting, atmospherics, real world lighting, and material response
Translate the essence of concept art, narrative ideation, and other reference materials provided by the Art Department, understanding the heart and intention of the concept as well as what aspects are important and where there is room to change/plus the work
Light self-generated 3D assets as well as existing show assets using Dlight, Maya, and Hyperion
Create fully-realized high resolution HDR digital matte paintings
Create fully composited set extensions in Nuke utilizing 3D projections, creative compositing, post production motion blur and DOF
Take art direction from various sources and collaborate with multiple departments to achieve the final shot with an open and professional demeanor
Further the department’s 2d & 3d skillsets by exploring and establishing new approaches and risk failure responsibly
Modeling as needed, especially complex terrain generation
Texture and shader generation as needed