2025 Talent Development Program - Lighting Apprenticeship

The Walt Disney Company; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading animation studio in Burbank, California seeks apprentices for its Talent Development Program. This opportunity offers mentorship from industry professionals, focusing on lighting design and storytelling through animation. Candidates should be emerging artists with less than 5 years of experience and a relevant degree. The pay rate is $33.12 per hour, with potential benefits.

Benefits

Potential medical benefits

Financial benefits

Other benefits

Qualifications

• Emerging artists with less than 5 years experience in the Animation industry.
• 18 years or older.
• Ability to interpret and execute key aesthetic elements.

Responsibilities

• Manipulate color and light to emphasize storytelling.
• Engage in real-time production environments.
• Receive mentorship from Disney artists.

Skills

Ability to work in a collaborative environment

Strong visual sense

Problem-solving skills

Understanding of color and lighting design

Experience with Houdini

Exposure to Global Illumination

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Houdini

Nuke

Job description

2025 Talent Development Program - Lighting Apprenticeship

Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10134915 Location Burbank, California, United States Business Walt Disney Animation Studios Date posted Oct. 31, 2025

Job Summary:

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 Disney mentors, 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.

The deadline for applications is November 23, 2025, 11:59 PM PST.

The Lighting Apprenticeship Program

Lighters are an integral part of the storytelling process, using their keen eye to manipulate color and light to emphasize shifts of mood, both subtle and dynamic. They assemble the elements of a shot into a final composite and compose the digital lighting of the scene.

As a part of the Lighting Apprenticeship, the first four months of your program are structured to introduce you to the art and technical aspects of our Lighting process, our studio culture, and our production environment. These initial months will showcase the skills and philosophies of our Lighting department while providing you nurturing mentorship with Disney artists. 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. Learn more about our filmmaking process here.

To apply for this position, select “Login” to update your profile and Apply. If you do not have a profile with us, select “Register” to create a new profile and Apply with a resume, reel, and shot breakdown (if applicable).

What we’re looking for:

• 18 years or older
• Emerging artists with less than 5 years experience in the Animation industry
• Recent graduates—Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, taking direction from artistic and technical leadership
• An understanding of color, contrast, and lighting design, along with a solid understanding of 3D lighting in a CG scene
• A strong visual sense and the ability to distinguish subtle differences that affect the matching of elements created in multiple mediums
• Experience with Houdini and node‑based compositing programs such as Nuke
• Exposure to Global Illumination and experience manipulating lights and materials to achieve a specific art direction
• Ability to interpret and execute key aesthetic elements from visual development artwork into a shot
• Strong problem‑solving skills

The pay rate for this role in Burbank, California is $33.12 per hour. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

About Walt Disney Animation Studios:

Combining masterful artistry and storytelling with groundbreaking technology, Walt Disney Animation Studios is a filmmaker‑driven animation studio responsible for creating some of the most beloved films ever made. Disney Animation continues to build on its rich legacy of innovation and creativity, from the first fully‑animated feature film, 1937’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” to the upcoming fall 2024 feature, “Moana 2.” Among the studio’s timeless creations are “Pinocchio,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Frozen,” “Zootopia,” and “Encanto.”

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world‑class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with The Secret Lab , which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The Secret Lab is an equal‑opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

Disability Accommodation for Employment Applications:

The Walt Disney Company and its affiliated companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.