Background Paint Lead - Disney Television Animation

Disney Cruise Line - The Walt Disney Company; Glendale (CA); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Disney Television Animation in Glendale is seeking a Background Paint Lead to guide character design and ensure stylistic consistency across episodes. You will partner with the Executive Producer, Art Director, and production leadership to shape visuals, develop character personalities, and oversee design deliverables.

The role demands strong leadership, a deep knowledge of drawing tools, and experience coordinating with offshore vendors to align with the show's look and tone.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in artistic animation production.
• Experience leading a team preferred.
• Ability to design and create a variety of characters, turnarounds, mouth charts and expression sheets.
• Experience working with oversees vendor studios.
• A broad knowledge of artistic styles, latest technology and film is essential.
• Knowledge of drawing software that includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Harmony and 3D technology, where applicable.
• Ability to align with style and sensibility of show.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to partner with Creatives and Executives, collaborate with peers, and manage and mentor artists.
• Positive attitude with the ability to be flexible.
• Excellent organizational, verbal, written, e-social skills and acumen.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Art Director to review scripts and storyboards and for characters that need to be designed for each episode. Flag complexity issues as they arise.
• In collaboration with the Executive Producer and Art Director, set the visual style of the series, creating conceptual and production artwork.
• Ensure that the high quality and style of show established by the Executive Producer and Art Director is achieved and maintained.
• Further the storytelling process by developing the look, personality and feel of characters.
• Capture the personality and life of a character with their design and attire.
• Create turnarounds, special poses, mouth charts and expression sheets and provide a clean pass of the final approved design.
• May oversee the Character Design team, delegating work and monitoring their schedules to create and maintain consistency with the design of the project.
• Communicate and problem-solve with vendor animation studio.

Skills

Team leadership

Character design

Turnarounds

Mouth charts

Expression sheets

Adobe Photoshop

Illustrator

Harmony

3D technology

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Harmony

Photoshop

Illustrator

3D software

Job description

About this Role and our Studio

Disney Television Animation (DTVA) has over 40 years of legacy as a top producer of kids & family entertainment. Our work is integral to The Walt Disney Company, bringing Disney-branded characters and stories to families’ homes across the globe.

DTVA creates both long-form and short-form content spanning traditional 2D, rig-based 2D, CG (preschool), CG (premium), and stop-motion. We create shows in a broad range of unique and innovative styles, and we aim to match the right talent with the right production in terms of skill and artistic style.

Bysubmittingan applicationfor thisBackground Paint Leadrole, youmaybeconsideredforanyCharacter Designer positions that arise until theexpirationdate provided.

Applications submitted to this job posting will remain valid until December 31, 2026.

What you will do

This is a key leadership role that partners with the Executive Producer, Art Director Line Producer, Production and Creative Executives to execute the creative vision of the series. The Character Design Lead will work directly with the team to ensure a quality and consistency of style throughout the series.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Art Director to review scripts and storyboards and for characters that need to be designed for each episode. Flag complexity issues as they arise.
• In collaboration with the Executive Producer and Art Director, set the visual style of the series, creating conceptual and production artwork.
• Ensure that the high quality and style of show established by the Executive Producer and Art Director is achieved and maintained.
• Further the storytelling process by developing the look, personality and feel of characters.
• Capture the personality and life of a character with their design and attire.
• Create turnarounds, special poses, mouth charts and expression sheets and provide a clean pass of the final approved design.
• May oversee the Character Design team, delegating work and monitoring their schedules to create and maintain consistency with the design of the project.
• Communicate and problem-solve with vendor animation studio.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• 5-7 years of experience in artistic animation production.
• Experience leading a team preferred.
• Ability to design and create a variety of characters, turnarounds, mouth charts, expression sheets and special poses.
• Experience working with oversees vendor studios.
• A broad knowledge of artistic styles, latest technology and film is essential.
• Knowledge of drawing software that includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Harmony and 3D technology, where applicable.
• Ability to align with style and sensibility of show.
• Strong leadership qualities with the ability to partner with Creatives and Executives, collaborate with peers, and manage and mentor artists.
• Positive attitude with the ability to be flexible.
• Excellent organizational, verbal, written, e-social skills and acumen.

Education

• Bachelordegree or equivalent work experience

Location

• This is a fully on-site role based in Glendale, CA.

The pay rate for this role in California is $74.68 to $82.15 per hour, which follows the pay scale agreed upon in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The base pay actually offered may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other factors. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.