Layout Artist

Walt Disney Animation Studios; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 79,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animation studio in Vancouver is seeking talented Layout Artists. The role involves staging and blocking shots in a fast-paced environment, translating storyboards into 3D. Candidates should have a strong understanding of cinematography, camera animation skills, and Maya proficiency. The position offers a competitive salary range of C$79,300 to C$150,500 CAD annually, with a variety of benefits and opportunities for collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Versatile knowledge of cinematography including camera lenses and movement.
• Expertise in appealing posing/animation of CG characters.
• Strong camera animation skills and experience with lighting.

Responsibilities

• Drive staging, blocking, and camera work for shots.
• Translate storyboards into 3D space creatively.
• Produce work in a fast-paced CG environment.

Skills

Cinematography knowledge

Character posing/animation

Camera animation skills

Lighting experience

Maya proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Linux

Job description

About The Role & Team

At Walt Disney Animation Studios, CG Layout is where imagination meets intention—we’re excited to see how you stage the story!

CG Layout Artists stage and block the cameras and characters in virtual environments through a combination of skills both artistic and technical.

A central component of Disney’s storytelling process is the work done in Layout. CG Layout transforms a film’s art, storyboards, and assets into the shots that audiences around the world will see on the big screen.

We are seeking Layout Artists to join our studio in Vancouver, BC!

What You Will Do

• Drive the staging, blocking, and camera work that makes up the foundation of both a successful shot as well as a sequence of shots throughout a film
• Read storyboards and interpret them into 3D space, using creative versatility to reimagine and build upon story points as needed
• Produce work (shots) in a fast‑paced CG environment using Maya, Linux, and a suite of proprietary software
• Collaborate with your team to produce extraordinary shot work, communicating progress, trends, and issues with your leadership and collaborators
• Collaborate across departments to produce work that cleanly integrates into our production’s downstream pipeline, clarifying requests, providing context, and problem‑solving solutions

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Versatile knowledge of cinematography including camera lenses, camera movement, staging, composition, and continuity
• Expertise in the appealing posing/animation of CG characters
• Knowledge of editing and sequence development
• Strong camera animation skills
• Experience with lighting
• A solid understanding of Maya
• Take direction easily, and be willing to participate as a member of a highly collaborative team
• Adaptability to explore emerging tools and workflows
• Adaptability to the visual style and the director’s vision for a film
• Adaptability to Rough Layout and Final Layout
• Curiosity to consider new approaches, suggest thoughtful solutions, and risk failure responsibly
• Ability to work iteratively in a fluid and fast‑paced environment
• Must be open to working and showing work from rough to finished layouts

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with EFX is a plus
• Proxy modeling
• Linux

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and/or equivalent experience

Application Requirements

To apply, please include:

• A reel of your recent and/or past Layout work that shows one or more sequences of shots in continuity showcasing clear and appealing storytelling through cinematography, staging, and editing. This is critical.
• A resume that details your recent/ past work history and a reel breakdown if appropriate

The hiring range for this position in British Columbia, Canada is C$79,300 to C$150,500 CAD per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other variable pay or benefits may be offered dependent on the level and position offered.