Visual Development Apprentice

Skydance Media is hiring a Visual Development Apprentice to join their animation studio in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. This role sits within the visual development department, where the apprentice contributes directly to feature animation production by creating environment concepts, color scripts, mood paintings, and production illustrations. It suits an emerging artist with roughly a year of professional experience in visual development, background painting, or production design who is ready to work on a real film under a dedicated mentor.

About the Role

The Visual Development Apprentice joins Skydance Animation through a structured rotational program, working across different aspects of a feature film production over a seven-month period from June 2026 through January 2027. Day-to-day work involves developing the visual language of a film, from lighting studies and color keys to character and environment concepts, all guided by the narrative needs of the story. A tailored learning curriculum runs alongside the production work, making this one of the more structured entry points into feature animation available at a working studio.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop environment concepts, color scripts, color keys, and mood paintings that establish the visual tone of the film across production.
• Create production illustrations and lighting studies that translate the director’s vision into concrete visual references for the broader production team.
• Research design references to inform world-building decisions, ensuring visual choices are grounded in the story and setting.
• Incorporate feedback from mentors and department leadership, revising artwork through multiple rounds to meet the show’s established style.
• Participate in visual development brainstorming sessions, contributing original ideas while aligning to the narrative and tonal goals of the feature.
• Communicate work progress clearly to your mentor and relevant staff throughout the feature animation production pipeline.

What You Bring

• Approximately one year of experience in visual development, background painting, background design, or prop design, including internships or trainee credits, with no more than two years in feature animation.
• A portfolio demonstrating drawing, anatomy, perspective, composition, painting, lighting, and color theory at a production-ready level.
• Advanced working knowledge of Photoshop as a primary tool for visual development work.
• Familiarity with CG tools such as Blender, Maya, or ZBrush is a plus in this animation studio environment.
• Full-time availability for the complete seven-month program, with the ability to work on-site in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Why This Role

Skydance Media has built a growing animation division with a clear focus on original feature film production, giving apprentices genuine exposure to a working studio pipeline rather than a peripheral training program. The combination of mentorship, a structured curriculum, and direct contribution to a live feature makes this apprenticeship a meaningful credit for an artist building toward a full visual development career. Few programs at this level offer access to both the creative and production culture of a studio at the same time.

Apply now for the Visual Development Apprentice position at Skydance Media and take the next step in your feature animation career.