2027 Apprenticeship Program - Effects Trainee

Walt Disney Animation Studios; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 34,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Walt Disney Animation Studios Vancouver Inc. is seeking candidates for the Effects Apprenticeship program in Vancouver, starting January 2027.

The program blends mentorship with hands-on experience within a live production environment and offers guidance through a four-month introductory phase and reviews guiding future assignments. Applicants must be emerging artists or recent graduates, 18+, and eligible to work in Canada.

Qualifications

• Emerging artists with less than 5 years of animation industry experience or recent graduates with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• 18 years or older and eligible to work in Canada.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Team collaboration

Artistic understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Houdini

Linux

Maya

Job description

Job Summary

Job Requirements 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. Learn more about our pipeline.

The Effects Apprenticeship

The Apprenticeship Program is based in our Vancouver studio location and will start in January 2027. The deadline for applications is Sunday November 15th, 11:59 PM PST.

Disney Effects artists create stunning visuals through collaboration with artists from all parts of the animation pipeline. Whether supporting production design through stylization or hyperrealism, they push the boundaries of what is possible. They are challenged to create the unexpected and to invoke an emotional impact in support of the creative vision.

As part of the Effects Apprenticeship program, the first four months of your program are structured to introduce you to the art of Effects animation, 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.

Key Qualifications

• Emerging artists with less than 5 years of animation industry experience OR Recent graduates with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• 18 years or older
• Eligible to work in Canada

Application Requirements

• Technical proficiency inspired by art
• Strong communication skills with the ability to brainstorm and collaborate in a team setting to reimagine, prototype, or even fake an effect
• A strong understanding of animation fundamentals, design, and composition
• An understanding of how structural elements, physical dynamics, and natural forces inform effects animation
• Experience using commercial graphics packages including Houdini and/or Maya
• A working knowledge of Houdini and Linux is required
• A working knowledge of Maya is a plus
• Exposure to current techniques in rendering, shading, lighting, and compositing
• Exposure to scripting

The deadline for applications is Sunday November 15th, 2026, 11:59 PM PST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay transparency

The hourly rate for this position in British Columbia, Canada is $30CAD per hour. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits, may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.

This position is with Walt Disney Animation Studios Vancouver Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Animation Studios.