Art & Story Intern, Disney Animation - Winter 2027

Niceboard; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Walt Disney Pictures in Burbank, CA invites applications for the Art & Story Hybrid Internship. This program blends Visual Development and Storyboarding, guiding through mood, character design, color, environments, and cinematic staging. You’ll work with mentors to translate ideas into story-driven visuals.

Eligible candidates are 18+, enrolled in post-secondary education or recent graduates within six months. The 12-week internship runs February–May 2027 at our Burbank studios.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a post-secondary program or graduated within six months of program start
• Program runs February–May 2027 for 12 weeks
• Based in Burbank, CA

Responsibilities

• Participate in the Art & Story Hybrid Internship, focusing on Visual Development and Storyboarding
• Develop visual inspiration through mood, personality, color, environments, and cinematography
• Develop skills in communicating story ideas into visual continuity sequences and narrative staging

Skills

Visual Development

Storyboarding

Character design

Artistic ability

Education

Enrollment in post-secondary education or recent graduate

Job description

Job Requirements

Have you wondered how your skills could translate into the world of animation? Our Internship Program dives into the craft, technology, and operations behind our animated films while developing your skills and connecting you to industry mentors. You'll learn what it means to be a part of a collaborative team and how your outstanding talents can grow within our studio. Find yourself immersed in hands‑on projects and learning guided by our artists, technologists, and production leaders. Learn more about our filmmaking process here (opens in new window).

Am I Eligible?

• 18 years or older
• Must be enrolled in a post‑secondary educational program (such as a community college, college, university, graduate school, trade school, or accredited online program), or have graduated within six months of our internship program start date
• Program Length: The approximate dates of this internship are February-May 2027. Interns must be fully available for the duration of a 12‑week assignment
• The Intern Program is based in our Burbank, California studios and will start in February 2027

The Art & Story Hybrid Internship

The Art & Story Hybrid Internship is designed for artists who are equally passionate about Visual Development and Storyboarding. If you're inspired by creating compelling characters and worlds while also exploring storytelling, character emotion, humor, and cinematic staging, this unique opportunity allows you to strengthen both skillsets in a single immersive program.

During the Visual Development portion of the program, hone your ability to provide visual inspiration and excitement through illustrations depicting mood, personality, and narrative across characters, color, costumes, environments, and cinematography. Through the Story section of the program, you’ll develop your skills of communicating story ideas into visual continuity sequences, conveying the essence of story and scene structure, character emotion/humor/action, and conceptual cinematography.

Portfolio Requirements

• Visual Development work consisting of character and/or environmental designs in a range of styles and archetypes, all with specific and clear personality, storytelling, and appeal
• Visual development work demonstrating a range of techniques, from classical to stylized, with strong composition, color theory, and storytelling. We especially encourage pieces that feature characters interacting within their environments
• Versatile range of character‑focused storyboard sequences preferred. Showcase a variety of genres and emotions including: comedy, action, romance, suspense, drama
• Story Sequences do not need to be a full film in length but should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Please note, storyboard sequences must be in the required format of either embedded slideshow format or animatic/pitch videos
• Observational drawings, paintings, and sketches a plus
• Portfolios should demonstrate:
• Understanding of emotional acting and entertainment value
• Clarity, appeal, and storytelling
• Understanding of cinematography and narrative staging, lighting, and color
• Character moments, comics, and/or caricatures helpful

Deadline for applications is November 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST.

Disclaimer

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The pay rate for this role in Burbank, California is $22.00 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.

This position is withWalt Disney Pictures, which is part of a business we callWalt Disney Animation Studios.

Walt Disney Picturesis an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. 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 (opens in new window). We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

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